Bureau of Animal Health

Zoo, Fur-Bearing & Wild Animals

People who want to acquire various wildlife species should contact MassWildlife for information . Anyone considering acquiring or having already acquired non-domestic animals must comply with all federal regulations, and when applicable, MassWildlife regulations.

Massachusetts pet stores are inspected and regulated by the Department of Agricultural Resources but the stores must follow MassWildlife laws regarding the animals that they may sell.

Do not assume that animals for sale in other states, including those states adjoining Massachusetts, are lawful in Massachusetts. Similarly, be wary of animals advertised for sale on the Internet or in newspapers. These animals may be lawful at the point of origin, but not in Massachusetts.

MassWildlife has statutory responsibility for all freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians, birds, and mammals, regardless of whether they are native to Massachusetts or occur elsewhere in the world. In some instances, such as species on the federal endangered or threatened species list, migratory birds, or marine mammals, authority may be shared with the federal government or another Massachusetts agency.

MassWildlife does not oversee or regulate marine (saltwater) fish, which are under the authority of the Division of Marine Fisheries, nor does it regulate invertebrate animals (with some exceptions for endangered, threatened, or special concern species). Some towns may have municipal bylaws which prohibit certain invertebrates such as tarantulas or other venomous spiders, or which further regulate the keeping of animals which MassWildlife otherwise allows. Check with your city or town to comply with both state and local laws, if any.

For purposes of possession, MassWildlife groups animals in the following categories:

1. Wild animals, for which a permit is required;
2. Wild animals exempt from MassWildlife permitting requirements; and
3. Domestic animals (which include some kinds of animals not typically categorized as livestock or fowl, but which MassWildlife considers to be biologically domestic in nature).

The above information has been provided by MassWildlife.