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Are exotic pets illegal in the United States?

Partly. Exotic pets are restricted in the United States. Federal ban on pet big cats since 2022; the rest is state law.

Big Cat Public Safety Act (Pub. L. 117-243, signed 20 Dec 2022): private possession of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars and hybrids is prohibited nationwide (existing cats registered by 18 Jun 2023). No other federal ban; all else is state law.

Source: Big Cat Public Safety Act

• The United States is one of 11 countries where exotic pets are banned, and 48 more restrict them.
• Its neighbours: banned in 0 of 2.
• In North America: banned in 1 of 17 countries.

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Other countries that ban exotic pets

SingaporeCosta RicaBoliviaCyprusLithuaniaLuxembourgSouth KoreaNorwayAustraliaBelgiumNetherlandsAll 11 on the map ›

What else is banned in the United States