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Quick Take

• Georgia requires maintaining at least $40,000 in liability insurance before possessing specific exotic species.

• The O.C.G.A. 27-5-4 classification system excludes individuals from owning inherently dangerous wildlife.

• Certain domesticated breeds are legally treated as wildlife based on their genetic percentage.

• Applicants must undergo a site inspection to verify that security enclosures meet state-mandated durability standards.

In the summer of 2021, a woman in the Atlanta area was forced to surrender her pet serval, a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, after it escaped from her home and wandered into a neighbor’s house, reportedly even jumping onto a bed while someone was sleeping. Georgia wildlife officials captured the animal but refused to return it, instead transferring it to a wildlife sanctuary because servals are illegal to keep as pets in Georgia.

The owner, who had recently moved from South Carolina, where the animal was legal to own, expressed distress at losing her companion. Authorities did not pursue criminal charges, but the incident underscored how strictly Georgia enforces its exotic animal laws.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Georgia’s policies, which are considered some of the strictest in the region. This information is especially important if you own an exotic animal and are considering moving to Georgia, or if you already live there and are thinking about acquiring one.

How Georgia Regulates Exotic and Wild Animals

Oversight of exotic and wild animals in Georgia is handled primarily by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, particularly through its Wildlife Resources Division and Law Enforcement Section. Georgia law distinguishes between domestic animals and “wild animals,” a category that includes most non-domesticated, non-native species and many native species as well.

A wild animal is broadly defined as any animal not normally domesticated in the state. This includes many species commonly associated with the exotic pet trade, even if they are captive-bred. The designation applies regardless of how long the animal has been raised in captivity. Even if a seller advertises an animal as “captive-bred,” that does not make it legal to own.

Exotic Mammals: Broad Prohibitions and Narrow Exceptions

Georgia is especially restrictive when it comes to exotic mammals. Many mammals that are legal to own in other states are either prohibited outright or limited to licensed facilities in Georgia. Here are some examples.

Big Cats and Large Carnivores

Private ownership of big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cougars, and similar species is not allowed in Georgia for personal pet purposes. These animals are classified as wild and inherently dangerous, and permits are limited to licensed zoos, research institutions, and certain exhibitors.

Georgia law also restricts the ownership of bears, wolves, and other large carnivores. These species are treated as high-risk animals due to public safety concerns and the difficulty of humane long-term confinement.

Primates

Most primates are heavily restricted in Georgia. Monkeys, apes, and similar species are considered wild animals and are not permitted as household pets. Licenses may be issued for research, education, or exhibition, but personal ownership is not an approved purpose. The state’s restrictions reflect concerns about disease transmission, public safety, and animal welfare, particularly given the complex social and environmental needs of primates.

Other Exotic Mammals

Other non-domesticated mammals, such as certain wild canids, exotic hoofed animals, and wild carnivores, are also regulated as wild animals. Possession typically requires a state license for a specific non-pet purpose. Native wildlife species, including animals such as coyotes, beavers, and armadillos, are also protected and may not be kept as pets.

Reptiles: A Mix of Restrictions and Recent Rule Changes

Georgia’s treatment of reptiles has evolved in recent years, particularly as concerns about invasive species and public safety have grown. This is especially concerning as invasive pythons have started to spread outside the Everglades and move further north into neighboring Florida.

Venomous Reptiles

Georgia places strict limits on venomous reptiles. Many venomous snake species and other dangerous reptiles require state authorization to possess, and permits are not issued for casual pet ownership. The state has emphasized containment standards, public safety, and emergency response concerns when regulating these animals.

Large and High-Risk Reptiles

Certain large non-native reptiles, including species identified as invasive or environmentally harmful, are subject to special rules. In recent years, Georgia updated its Wild Animal Rules to address animals such as Argentine black-and-white tegus, which entered the state through the exotic pet trade and posed ecological risks.

Once released into the wild, they outcompete native species and can quickly devastate bird populations by eating their eggs in large numbers. Georgia’s tightened rules include registration, identification, and, in some cases, limited grandfather provisions for existing owners. New acquisitions are tightly restricted, and releasing such animals into the wild is illegal.

Common Nonvenomous Reptiles

Some commonly kept nonvenomous reptiles, such as small snakes and lizards that are not listed as restricted or invasive, may be legal to own. However, owners must still comply with state importation rules, local ordinances, and federal laws. Georgia does not publish a simple list of approved pet reptiles, so legality must be confirmed on a case-by-case basis.

Exotic Birds: Import Controls and Disease Prevention

Exotic and nontraditional birds are regulated through a combination of wildlife law and agricultural rules aimed at preventing disease. The Georgia Department of Agriculture, through the State Veterinarian, regulates the importation of many birds into Georgia.

Certain species require advance permission, health certificates, and identification to enter the state. These rules are especially strict for birds associated with avian influenza or other communicable diseases. Some bird species commonly kept elsewhere, such as certain finches or parrots, may be restricted or require permits.

Native Wildlife: Not Pets Under Georgia Law

Under Georgia law, native mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians are not considered pets and may not be possessed without appropriate authorization. Licenses for rehabilitation, education, or scientific study are available, but pet ownership is not an approved use. This means that even animals commonly encountered in the wild, such as raccoons or foxes, cannot be kept as pets simply because they are native or familiar.

Importation, Transport, and Health Requirements

Georgia tightly regulates the movement of animals into the state. Many wild and exotic animals must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and, in some cases, additional permits issued by the State Veterinarian. Unauthorized importation can trigger enforcement even if possession might otherwise be lawful under a license. This system is designed to prevent the spread of disease and to monitor the movement of high-risk species.

An Animal Trafficking Bust in Georgia

An example of why such laws are needed occurred in October 2024, when law enforcement in Clayton County raided a home and rescued more than 20 exotic animals in what officials described as an illegal exotic animal trade. Deputies found a ring-tailed lemur, an American alligator, multiple tegus (large lizards), rattlesnakes, pythons, and dozens of dogs.

The man living there faced multiple counts of possessing wild animals without permits. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources highlighted that several of the seized species, like alligators and tegus, are either prohibited or tightly restricted because of the danger they pose to people and ecosystems.

Liability Insurance and Facility Standards

For certain wild animals, Georgia law requires license holders to carry liability insurance. This requirement reflects the state’s recognition that injuries, escapes, or property damage involving exotic animals can create serious risks.

Facilities housing wild animals must meet enclosure and containment standards set by the Department of Natural Resources. Inspections are authorized, and failure to maintain standards can result in license revocation and confiscation of animals.

Don’t Take Our Word for It

Violating Georgia’s wild animal laws can result in fines, confiscation of animals, license revocation, and criminal charges. Because many regulated species are also subject to federal law, violations may carry federal consequences as well.

Anyone considering an exotic animal in Georgia should consult official sources directly. This includes the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wild Animal Rules, guidance from the State Veterinarian, and applicable federal regulations. Because Georgia’s system is centralized and restrictive, relying on third-party summaries (such as this one) or assumptions based on other states can easily result in illegal possession.

Making a Responsible Decision in Georgia

Georgia’s exotic animal laws are designed to prevent harm before it occurs. For most individuals, that means accepting that private ownership of exotic animals is not allowed. For licensed facilities and professionals, it means complying with a rigorous regulatory framework focused on safety and animal welfare.

Understanding these rules before acquiring an animal is essential. Not only does it help keep animals safe, but it can also save you from potential injury, financial loss, criminal penalties, and the grief of bonding with an animal only to have it taken from you.

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