Pet Care, Trial Court Law Libraries, February 2016. “If two people, married or not, separate, who can keep the animal? Can the court order joint custody of the dog or cat as a child would? Can a party receive visitation rights? Is a pet legally treated the same as a child or just as property? Buying or adopting an exotic pet is a serious commitment, so make sure you thoroughly research different animals and have the right type of household and budget to provide your pet with the best home. Last but not least, you should always check the laws and regulations of the state. Some pets are not legal and others can only be allowed if the owner has a permit. In Massachusetts, private ownership of wild and exotic animals is prohibited unless a person has a license from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) (M.G.L. c. 131, § 23 and 321 CMR 2.12): “Except as otherwise provided by law, it is unlawful for any person to own, maintain, propagate or cultivate animals: without holding a valid licence issued by the Director in one of the five categories” (321 CMR 2.12(3)). (“Animal” is defined as “any non-domesticated bird, mammal, reptile or amphibian that is not the product of a house-shaped hybridization and that is not otherwise included in the exemption list under 321 CMR 9.01” (321 CMR 2.12(3)). Ownership permits for certain animal species are issued by MassWildlife and are only granted for scientific, educational, commercial or other specific reasons and are not granted to keep a wild animal as a pet.
The rules expressly state that “[t]he applications for a licence .. To have to. be refused if. The application shall relate to authorisation to keep, care, breed or breed animals as domestic animals … (321 WRC 2.12(9)(a)). Limited exemptions are granted for population restoration breeding programs for endangered and threatened species and for those who legally owned their animals prior to regulatory approval (CMR 321 CMR 2.12(10)(h) and (10)(i)). Massachusetts requires a permit to possess all species listed in a rarity category on the International Union for Conservation of Nature`s Red List of Threatened Species. any category of the Federal Endangered Species Act; or Massachusetts` list of endangered, threatened, and critically concern. The latter is a list of species protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (M.G.L. c.
131A). As of February 6, 2022, 173 native animal species are threatened with extinction or may be endangered and are therefore protected under this Act. Some of these animals are also protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Keeping wild and exotic animals as pets can cause problems, not only for pets, but also for people, public health, other animals, and the ecosystem. Many wild and exotic animals are illegal to own in Massachusetts. For those who are legal, it is important that people make informed decisions and understand and provide appropriate care. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so it may be an ideal pet for those who are heavy sleepers or have a house large enough for their hedgehog to be kept in a separate room.
Hedgehogs should be kept in larger crates, which are about the size of a guinea pig and have a solid bottom covered with paper litter. Their cages should have a place to hide and a smooth wheel to walk. Since hedgehogs are known to become obese, the more stimulation, the better! Venomous snakes. Snakes are a bit delicate, with some requiring a permit and others not. First of all, be aware that ALL venomous snakes require a permit, such as a rattlesnake. Other non-venomous snakes, such as a python, do not need a permit. You can check the link at the end of the article for more details if you wish. As the two cases mentioned above show, the practice of keeping wild and exotic animals as pets can be problematic.
Sugar gliders are easy-to-care animals that require a financial commitment for a rich and varied diet, a well-equipped cage and supplies. You also need a lot of socialization with other sugar gliders and human caregivers. Their sharp teeth and claws may not make them well suited for a household with young children. Commonwealth v. Epifania , 80 Mass.App.Ct. 71 (2011) Covers the history of cat and other pet ownership in Massachusetts. Every Legal Guide to Dogs: A Must for Your Owner, by Mary Randolph, Nolo, 2012. Believe it or not, I`ve never had a cat or pet dog, but when I grew up in northern Berkshires, I was mostly surrounded by dogs, as many of my neighbors and relatives had dogs that came to my house. Back then, and I`m not sure Berkshire County pet owners do this so often now, some of my neighbors would let their dogs roam the neighborhood and those dogs would usually go to my parents` house. Even though I didn`t have a dog, I felt like I had a lot of dogs in some way.
Most of these furry friends behaved well and believe it or not, they usually didn`t do any mess in my garden. Exotic species can include birds, reptiles, rodents, various breeds of birds, amphibians and animals such as teacup pigs. More people than ever own special or exotic pets such as fish, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, turtles, snakes, lizards, poultry, cattle and amphibians. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 15% of U.S. households owned a specialized or exotic pet in 2016, a 25% increase in just a few years! Those who want to buy a pet from a breeder should be prepared to care for a young pet that may require additional training and attention. This can mean more frequent eating, observation, socializing, etc. In addition, those who buy an animal from a single breeder or company should always check their references to ensure that they are working legally and humanely. So if you think a single dog or cat couldn`t do it for you, there are exotic animals you can own in Massachusetts. Hedgehogs, chinchillas, and southern flying squirrels are all legal in the state.
I wouldn`t have immediately guessed that guinea pigs were Massachusetts` favorite pet, but I can see where kids in particular would ask their parents for one or two guinea pigs. I remember when I was in fourth grade (I think it was class), we had a guinea pig class and it was a lot of fun because classmates could take turns taking care of the little guy.