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PET REGULATIONS IN TEXAS

Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership

If you're wanting to purchase or adopt a new pet, use these resources to help you find out if the pet you want is prohibited or controlled (i.e., requires a permit) in your state. And don't forget to do some research on the pet you want. Many pets are expensive, time consuming, and can live for a long time. Be prepared to properly care for your pet for its entire lifetime.

Texas prohibited and controlled species info

For information on prohibited aquatic species in Texas, please see the link below: 

Exotic Fish, Shellfish and Invasive Aquatic Plants (texas.gov) 

For terrestrial wildlife, most non-native species are regulated by the Department of Agriculture or Department of State Health Services. There is a Controlled Exotic snake permit (link here) that regulates the possession of: African rock python, Asiatic rock python, green anaconda, reticulated python, and southern African python in Texas. 

The Burmese python and diamondback terrapin are also prohibited to possess/own under Texas’ statute and rules. To see Texas statute and regulations directly, please see the following links: 

  • Parks and Wildlife Code Subchapter V: 

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.43.htm#V 

  • 31 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 55 Subchapter J: 

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=31&pt=2&ch=55&sch=J&rl=Y 

  • 31 Texas Administrative Code §57.972(g)(10): 

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=31&pt=2&ch=57&rl=972 

Additionally, threatened and endangered species cannot be possessed as pets. To see more on threatened and endangered species please see the link below:  

Keep in mind that other regulating agencies may have restrictions on the possession of exotic species, such as the Department of State Health Services. 

Also, just because an animal is legal to own in the state, it doesn’t mean the city you live in allows it. Many local cities and counties have their own restrictions on which animals are legal to keep, and which are not. Consider checking with your local city and/or county for their regulations regarding what pets you can and can’t own. It is your responsibility to comply with all local laws, ordinances and covenants before importing or possessing live wildlife.