While pets are cute, laws aren’t as adorable, and putting the two together makes things rather strange. Some states have pet rules that feel utterly ridiculous—including permits for hedgehogs and banned turtles. Here are thirteen unusual pet laws from across the states. As bizarre as they might sound, these are real rules people actually have to follow.
Featured Image Credit: Luljo /Depositphotos.com.
Having Too Many Pets
Hawaii is quite strict with animal hoarding and having more than 15 dogs or cats without taking care of them properly actually counts as a misdemeanor. Instead of going after you for each pet, they might charge you once for the whole situation—the law’s written right into the state code as a way to deal with unsafe conditions for both animals & humans. Animal control and health officials could step in if things get out of hand in your house.
No Selling Baby Turtles
Anyone in Connecticut who’s thinking of buying a teeny turtle for their child should think again because turtles with shells under 4 inches are off-limits for sale—it doesn’t matter if it’s the cutest red-eared slider you’ve ever seen. Stores can’t even show them off in tanks and while the rule was originally set by the FDA, the state now enforces this law. They’re banned because of the risk of salmonella, which tiny turtles may carry even if they look totally healthy.
No Pets As a Prize
It’s also illegal to give out pets as prizes in Connecticut—there’s no winning a bunny at the county fair or a goldfish at the carnival. The law is part of the state’s animal welfare rules and they enforce it as a way to prevent impulsive adoptions, which applies to fish, birds, reptiles & mammals. In fact, the government will fine event organizers if they hand out animals without permission.
Ferrets Are Banned
Ferrets are banned across the whole of California and you can’t legally own one or bring one in, even for a weekend visit, unless you’re a zookeeper or part of a show. This is because the California Department of Fish and Wildlife classifies ferrets as a restricted species, as they’re seen as a risk to local wildlife & agriculture. Pet-friendly cities like San Francisco won’t budge on it and while there have been campaigns to lift the ban, the law’s still firmly in place.
Limited Ferret Travel
But that’s not all for ferrets. In New York State, ferrets are fine—taking one into New York City, however, is illegal, and crossing into the five boroughs with a ferret is almost like smuggling contraband. The NYC Health Code bans them because they’re classified as a risk to public health and the rule has been around since the 1990s, although it has been challenged a few times. Not even leash-trained ferrets get a pass, so keep those furry friends away.
A Permit For Hedgehogs
Getting a hedgehog in Georgia isn’t as simple as going on Craigslist because you’ll need an actual permit from the state—without one, your spiky pet is seen as a wild animal, no matter how cute it might look. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is worried about how hedgehogs could impact native species if they’re released, so you need to be cleared by the state to have one. It’s quite odd, really.
A License to Keep Pet Wild Turkeys
You’re gonna have to get permission before having a wild turkey as a pet in Kentucky, as the state differentiates between your average farm turkey and the kind that’s flapping around in the woods. You could find a baby one and raise it yourself, but it still counts as “wildlife,” thanks to a law from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife over who may keep wild animals. They limit permits and usually only grant them in rather specific cases.
No Pictures of Rabbits
For several years, Wyoming had a rule that said you needed a permit to take photos of wildlife—including rabbits—from January to April, no matter what you used to take these photos. The law doesn’t exist anymore, but it did once as a way to protect wildlife during breeding season, and if the state caught you taking pics without a permit, they’d give you a fine. Thankfully, they repealed this law after lots of confusion.
No Cats in the Cemetery
If you’re going to a cemetery in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, you should leave your cat at home because there’s a local rule that says no cats or dogs are allowed in public burial areas. Of course, service animals may still come along, but everyone else’s pets are essentially banned from graveyard strolls, which is meant to keep the grounds clean & undisturbed. There are signs posted in most cemeteries and the local parks handle the law’s enforcement.
Loud Dogs Have a Time Limit
Multnomah County, Oregon, has a rule that allows dogs to bark only for so long—if they bark for more than 10 minutes straight, or they won’t quit for more than 30 minutes off & on, you could be in trouble. Any neighbors who hear it from outside your place could report it to the county animal services department and you might get a fine. Ignoring a warning may lead to citations because chronic barking creates neighbor disputes, so the county tries to get ahead of it.
No Acting Like a Goat
Acting like an animal in public might seem like harmless fun, but in Florida, it’s technically against the law because the state has a rule that bans public animal impersonations. That means no mooing and no pretending you’re a chicken in the supermarket. It’s part of old performance and conduct laws that cover public disturbances, although it’s not exactly a law that the government enforces. You probably won’t get arrested for it, but technically, you could be cited if someone complains.
No to Smelly Pets
Having a stinky dog could be a problem if you live in Galesburg, Illinois, as there’s a local ordinance that bans pets from smelling so bad that it bothers the neighbors. It doesn’t matter if it’s natural or they rolled in something—it’s still your responsibility according to this rule, which falls under nuisance laws. Complaints usually go to animal control and they could give you a notice to clean things up, or else you face a fine.
Don’t Hand a Cigar to a Cat
It’s beyond us why anyone would even want to give their cat a cigar, but giving any lit cigar (or similar item) to a pet is illegal in Illinois, and the law specifically mentions dogs & cats. Keep the smoke to yourself. This rule has been around for many years as part of Illinois’ animal cruelty statutes and even if your pet doesn’t get hurt, just the act of handing over a lit item could cause you trouble.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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