Exotic pet laws in Vermont
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
The table lists every animal we cover and what Vermont law says about keeping it as a pet. Each row links to the rule it rests on; animals link to their own state-by-state guide.
Animal by animal in Vermont
| Animal | Status | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axolotl | Banned | Ambystoma salamanders, which include the axolotl, are on Vermont's Restricted list. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Capybara | Banned | The capybara is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Fennec fox | Banned | The fennec fox is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Wallaby | Banned | The wallaby is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Raccoon | Banned | The raccoon is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Red fox | Banned | The red fox is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Skunk | Banned | The skunk is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Pet monkey | Banned | Nonhuman primates are not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so they are treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Kangaroo | Banned | The kangaroo is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Big cat | Banned | Big cats are not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so they are treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Bobcat | Banned | The bobcat is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Prairie dog | Banned | The prairie dog is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Kinkajou | Banned | The kinkajou is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Otter | Banned | Otters are not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so they are treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Lemur | Banned | The lemur is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Alligator or other crocodilian | Banned | Alligators and other crocodilians are not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so they are treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Venomous snake | Banned | Venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes, cobras and vipers are not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so they are treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Giant constrictor | Banned | Anacondas and Burmese, reticulated and African rock pythons are on Vermont's Restricted list. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| Bear | Banned | Bears are not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so they are treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.Permit only for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (10 V.S.A. 4152) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 sections 4.1 and 5.1(a) |
| African pygmy hedgehog | Depends | The African pygmy hedgehog is on Vermont's Unrestricted list, so no state permit is needed, but only U.S. captive-bred animals qualify. Captive-bred animals must come with a statement of origin or veterinary certificate.U.S. captive bred only | Vermont F&W Unrestricted Wild Animal List (Ju... |
| Serval or savannah cat | Depends | The serval is not on Vermont's lists, so it is treated as Restricted, and no captivity permit is issued except for scientific or educational use. Savannah cats of F4 generation or later are Unrestricted. Earlier generations are not listed.Serval barred for pets. Savannah F4 or later unrestricted. Earlier generations treated as Restricted. | Vermont F&W Unrestricted Wild Animal List (Ju... |
| Wolfdog | Depends | Vermont's wildlife rule does not treat wolf-hybrids as wild hybrids, so no wildlife permit applies. Under the dog laws, wolf-hybrids need a yearly town licence, rabies vaccination and proof of sterilization.Annual town licence, sterilization certificate, rabies vaccination (20 V.S.A. 3581) | 10 App. V.S.A. 18 section 3.1; 20 V.S.A. 3541... |
| Ferret | No state restriction found | The domestic ferret (European ferret) is on Vermont's Domestic Species List and counts as a domestic pet under state law, so no wildlife permit is needed. Check with the Agency of Agriculture. | 20 V.S.A. 3541(3), (4); Vermont F&W Domestic... |
| Sugar glider | No state restriction found | The sugar glider is on Vermont's Unrestricted Wild Animal List, so no Importation and Possession Permit is needed. | Vermont F&W Unrestricted Wild Animal List (Ju... |
| Chinchilla | No state restriction found | Chinchillas are on Vermont's Unrestricted Wild Animal List, so no Importation and Possession Permit is needed. | Vermont F&W Unrestricted Wild Animal List (Ju... |
| Tarantula | No state restriction found | Invertebrates are unrestricted in Vermont except listed medically significant spiders and scorpions, and tarantulas are not among them. Importing invertebrates must also comply with USDA rules. | Vermont F&W Unrestricted Wild Animal List (Ju... |
| Tegu | No state restriction found | Tegus and whiptails (Teiidae) are on Vermont's Unrestricted Wild Animal List, so no Importation and Possession Permit is needed. | Vermont F&W Unrestricted Wild Animal List (Ju... |
Who regulates exotic pets in Vermont
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is the agency to ask. Species not on the Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists are considered Restricted and need a permit ($100 fee, vet health certificate, allow 30 days). Captive-bred-only entries need a statement of origin or veterinary certificate. Rule 5.1(a) says no permit is issued for keeping wild animals in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes, yet the department page says a permit may or may not be granted.
The main texts:
- 10 App. V.S.A. 18 (Wild Animal Importation and Possession rule)
- 10 V.S.A. 4709
- Importation and Possession Rules page
- 20 V.S.A. 3541 (definitions, wolf-hybrid and pet)
- 20 V.S.A. 3581 (licensing and rabies vaccination)
Before you buy in Vermont
- Ask the state agency above, in writing if you can, and keep the answer.
- Ask your county and city: local ordinances can ban an animal the state allows.
- Check your lease, homeowners or renters insurance and any homeowner association rules.
- Buy only from a seller who can show the animal is captive-bred and legal to ship to Vermont.
See every state in exotic pet laws by state, or test one animal in the legality checker.
How we checked. For each state we read the statutes, administrative code and agency lists that govern keeping wild or exotic animals, and every row above links to the text it rests on. A second, independent reviewer then re-read the same sources, and a row is shown only if it survived that check. "Not verified yet" means a state's rule could not be read or confirmed, which is a gap in our data and not a green light. County and city ordinances, landlord and insurance rules, and federal law sit on top of the state rule. Read how we check. See an error? Email hello@creaturesincrisis.org with the link.
Quick answers
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Vermont?
- Banned. The raccoon is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Vermont?
- Banned. Nonhuman primates are not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so they are treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.
- Is it legal to own a fox in Vermont?
- Banned. The red fox is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.
- Is it legal to own a skunk in Vermont?
- Banned. The skunk is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Vermont?
- No state restriction found. The domestic ferret (European ferret) is on Vermont's Domestic Species List and counts as a domestic pet under state law, so no wildlife permit is needed. Check with the Agency of Agriculture.
- Is it legal to own a capybara in Vermont?
- Banned. The capybara is not on Vermont's Domestic, Unrestricted or Restricted lists, so it is treated as Restricted. The wildlife rule says no permit is issued to keep a wild animal in captivity except for scientific or educational purposes.
- Who do I ask about exotic pets in Vermont?
- Start with Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Then ask your county and city.