10 Exotic Pets That Are Legal to Own in New York State
New York has some of the most stringent exotic pet laws in the country, and those laws got even stricter this year with the passing of Senate Bill 252, which redefines “exotic animal” and “wild animal” and adds more exotic animals to the state’s “ban list.” On top of that, exotic animal bans are even more far-reaching in the Big Apple, as some animals that might be permissible in the more rural and suburban areas of the state cannot live comfortably or safely within the densely populated confines of New York City. So, if you have always dreamed of having a unique and unexpected critter of your own, you may want to check out our list of 10 Exotic pets that are legal to own in New York State first.
That way, you can find out if the cute animal you want to get is allowed or not. After all, if you’re an exotic pet lover who lives in New York or you are planning on moving there, the state’s ever-evolving stance on exotic animals can leave your head spinning. Fortunately, as strict as these laws are, you do have a little more leeway than you might expect. And since some of the information surrounding these laws can be difficult to find, we you'll love our highlighted roundup that features everything from birds to reptiles.
Besides proving information on 10 exotic animals that you can legally own in New York State, we also included a few exotic animals that are illegal in NYC as well! You may be surprised by which ones are included.
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As far as the law is concerned, the following exotic animals are perfectly legal to own in New York City, and by extension, throughout New York State as well. However, landlords and property managers may impose their own restrictions on exotic pet ownership, so just because the law says you can have a certain pet doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be allowed to bring it home to your apartment. Before adopting any animal (even a domesticated cat or dog), make sure you know what pets are permitted in your rental agreement.
Bird lovers will be pleased to know that many popular pet birds are in the clear—cockatiels included. Cockatiels, with their affectionate, social personalities and boundless musicality, are an excellent choice for an apartment-friendly bird, especially for first-time bird owners. They’re fairly small, they can get along well with multiple people (not just one “favorite person”), and because they’re not quite as long-lived as some larger parrot species, they’re not necessarily a lifetime commitment for inexperienced bird parents (for better or worse). Still, even beginners should remember that their cockatiel will need a sizable cage and plenty of daily playtime outside of their cage to remain a happy bird!
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