Exotic pet laws in Kentucky

301 KAR 2:082 §§ 4(2)(a), 5, 6(3)

(2) Except as established in Sections 5 and 6 of this administrative regulation, a person shall not import, transport, or possess the following inherently dangerous exotic wildlife: (a) Alligators or caimans (Family Alligatoridae);

The first entry on the inherently dangerous list names alligators. The American alligator has never lived wild in Kentucky, so it is exotic wildlife under § 1. The only routes left are an AZA-accredited facility and the commissioner's exemption in § 5, which is open to municipal zoos, colleges, circuses and earlier exempted facilities, not private keepers.

Existing owners: A person who legally possessed the animal before July 13, 2005, may keep it for its life with veterinary records, acquisition papers or other proof, but may not replace it, breed it or transfer it.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

301 KAR 2:081 § 6(1)

(1) Except as established in Sections 2(7) and 7 of this administrative regulation, 301 KAR 2:075, and 301 KAR 3:120, a person shall not import, transport into Kentucky, or possess: ... (c) Black bear (Ursus americanus);

Named on the prohibited natives list, and every bear is also inherently dangerous exotic wildlife under 2:082 § 4(2)(c). § 1(3) defines native wildlife "regardless of ... being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so a captive-bred animal from another state is in the same position. KRS 65.877 lets local governments go further.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The companion to 2:082 and the rule that reaches any Kentucky native. § 1(3) defines native wildlife as species that have historically existed, currently exist or have naturally expanded their range into Kentucky, "regardless of ... origin or location of an individual animal" and of "being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so captive breeding is no exit. § 2(3) then requires a captive wildlife permit before acquiring one, with a five-per-species free allowance for native reptiles and amphibians at § 2(5) and nothing comparable for mammals. § 3(2) is the noncommercial permit, § 4 the transportation permit, § 6 the prohibited natives.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

301 KAR 2:082 § 4(1)(j)

Fox (Genus Cerdocyon, Genus Lycalopex, Genus Otocyon, Genus Urocyon, and Genus Vulpes);

The arctic fox is Vulpes lagopus, inside the last genus named, the fennec fox's position. The section bars importing, transporting into Kentucky, and possessing.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

301 KAR 2:081 § 6(1)

(1) Except as established in Sections 2(7) and 7 of this administrative regulation, 301 KAR 2:075, and 301 KAR 3:120, a person shall not import, transport into Kentucky, or possess: ... (d) Bobcat (Lynx rufus);

The bobcat is named on the prohibited natives list. § 1(3) defines native wildlife "regardless of ... being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so a captive-bred animal from another state is in the same position. KRS 65.877 lets local governments go further.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The companion to 2:082 and the rule that reaches any Kentucky native. § 1(3) defines native wildlife as species that have historically existed, currently exist or have naturally expanded their range into Kentucky, "regardless of ... origin or location of an individual animal" and of "being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so captive breeding is no exit. § 2(3) then requires a captive wildlife permit before acquiring one, with a five-per-species free allowance for native reptiles and amphibians at § 2(5) and nothing comparable for mammals. § 3(2) is the noncommercial permit, § 4 the transportation permit, § 6 the prohibited natives.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

301 KAR 2:082 § 4(2)(o)

(o) Lynx (Genus Lynx);

The whole genus Lynx is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife, which may not be imported, transported or possessed except under the § 5 and § 6 exceptions for zoos, exhibitors and grandfathered holders.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

301 KAR 2:082 §§ 4(2)(q), 5, 6(3)

(2) Except as established in Sections 5 and 6 of this administrative regulation, a person shall not import, transport, or possess the following inherently dangerous exotic wildlife: ... (q) Primates, nonhuman (Order Primates);

Every nonhuman primate is an inherently dangerous exotic, so the capuchin is barred. The only routes left are an AZA-accredited facility and the commissioner's exemption in § 5, which is open to municipal zoos, colleges, circuses and earlier exempted facilities, not private keepers.

Existing owners: A person who legally possessed the animal before July 13, 2005, may keep it for its life with veterinary records, acquisition papers or other proof, but may not replace it, breed it or transfer it.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

301 KAR 2:082 §§ 4(2)(t), 5, 6(3)

(2) Except as established in Sections 5 and 6 of this administrative regulation, a person shall not import, transport, or possess the following inherently dangerous exotic wildlife: ... (t) Venomous exotic snakes of the families Viperidae, Atractaspididae, Elapidae, Hydrophidae, and Colubridae, except for hognose snakes (Genus Heterodon);

Cobras are elapids, one of the families of venomous exotic snakes on the inherently dangerous list. The only routes left are an AZA-accredited facility and the commissioner's exemption in § 5, which is open to municipal zoos, colleges, circuses and earlier exempted facilities, not private keepers. The king cobra and the Asian Naja species are on CITES Appendix II, which governs import and export, not keeping.

Existing owners: A person who legally possessed the animal before July 13, 2005, may keep it for its life with veterinary records, acquisition papers or other proof, but may not replace it, breed it or transfer it.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

301 KAR 2:082 §§ 4(2)(q), 5, 6(3)

(2) Except as established in Sections 5 and 6 of this administrative regulation, a person shall not import, transport, or possess the following inherently dangerous exotic wildlife: ... (q) Primates, nonhuman (Order Primates);

Every nonhuman primate is an inherently dangerous exotic, so the marmoset is barred. The only routes left are an AZA-accredited facility and the commissioner's exemption in § 5, which is open to municipal zoos, colleges, circuses and earlier exempted facilities, not private keepers.

Existing owners: A person who legally possessed the animal before July 13, 2005, may keep it for its life with veterinary records, acquisition papers or other proof, but may not replace it, breed it or transfer it.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

301 KAR 2:081 §§ 6(1)(f), 7

Except as established in Sections 2(7) and 7 of this administrative regulation, 301 KAR 2:075, and 301 KAR 3:120, a person shall not import, transport into Kentucky, or possess: ... (f) Cougar or mountain lion (Felis concolor);

The cougar is treated as a Kentucky native and sits on the prohibited natives list, so the exotic rules do not reach it and no captive wildlife permit route exists. § 7 leaves AZA-accredited facilities and similar holders. Federally, the Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 (16 U.S.C. § 3372(e)) bars any person outside a licensed exhibitor, sanctuary or state institution from breeding or possessing a cougar unless the animal was born before December 20, 2022, and registered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 180 days, so no new pet is lawful anywhere in the country whatever the state rule says. The Florida panther subspecies is also endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.

How this rule works: The companion to 2:082 and the rule that reaches any Kentucky native. § 1(3) defines native wildlife as species that have historically existed, currently exist or have naturally expanded their range into Kentucky, "regardless of ... origin or location of an individual animal" and of "being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so captive breeding is no exit. § 2(3) then requires a captive wildlife permit before acquiring one, with a five-per-species free allowance for native reptiles and amphibians at § 2(5) and nothing comparable for mammals. § 3(2) is the noncommercial permit, § 4 the transportation permit, § 6 the prohibited natives.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

§ 4(1)(j)

Fox (Genus Cerdocyon, Genus Lycalopex, Genus Otocyon, Genus Urocyon, and Genus Vulpes);

Vulpes zerda falls in the last genus named. The section bars importing, transporting into Kentucky, and possessing.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

301 KAR 2:082 §§ 4(2)(n), 5, 6(3)

(2) Except as established in Sections 5 and 6 of this administrative regulation, a person shall not import, transport, or possess the following inherently dangerous exotic wildlife: ... (n) Lions, jaguars, leopards, or tigers (Genus Panthera);

Lions are named in the Panthera entry. The only routes left are an AZA-accredited facility and the commissioner's exemption in § 5, which is open to municipal zoos, colleges, circuses and earlier exempted facilities, not private keepers. Federally, the Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 (16 U.S.C. § 3372(e)) bars any person outside a licensed exhibitor, sanctuary or state institution from breeding or possessing a lion unless the animal was born before December 20, 2022, and registered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 180 days, so no new pet is lawful anywhere in the country whatever the state rule says.

Existing owners: A person who legally possessed the animal before July 13, 2005, may keep it for its life with veterinary records, acquisition papers or other proof, but may not replace it, breed it or transfer it.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

§ 4(1)(u)

Prairie dog (Cynomys spp.);

Prairie dogs are on the § 4(1) prohibited species list, which is for species injurious to native ecosystems, so there is no pet route. Local governments may add their own rules.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

§ 4(1)(q)

Monk or Quaker parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus);

Named by binomial, Myiopsitta monachus, in the prohibited list at Section 4(1)(q). The permit-exempt list confirms the exclusion: it clears parrots, lovebirds, budgerigars, macaws and parakeets "except monk parakeet, M. monachus".

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 2, 2026.

301 KAR 2:081 § 6(1)

(1) Except as established in Sections 2(7) and 7 of this administrative regulation, 301 KAR 2:075, and 301 KAR 3:120, a person shall not import, transport into Kentucky, or possess: ... (j) Rabies Vector Species: 1. Coyote (Canis latrans); 2. Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus); 3. Raccoon (Procyon lotor); 4. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes); 5. Spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius); 6. Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis); or 7. Any hybrid of rabies vector species.

The raccoon is named as a rabies vector species on Kentucky's prohibited natives list, so no permit route exists. § 1(3) defines native wildlife "regardless of ... being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so a captive-bred animal from another state is in the same position. KRS 65.877 lets local governments go further.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The companion to 2:082 and the rule that reaches any Kentucky native. § 1(3) defines native wildlife as species that have historically existed, currently exist or have naturally expanded their range into Kentucky, "regardless of ... origin or location of an individual animal" and of "being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so captive breeding is no exit. § 2(3) then requires a captive wildlife permit before acquiring one, with a five-per-species free allowance for native reptiles and amphibians at § 2(5) and nothing comparable for mammals. § 3(2) is the noncommercial permit, § 4 the transportation permit, § 6 the prohibited natives.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

301 KAR 2:081 § 6(1)

(1) Except as established in Sections 2(7) and 7 of this administrative regulation, 301 KAR 2:075, and 301 KAR 3:120, a person shall not import, transport into Kentucky, or possess: ... (j) Rabies Vector Species: 1. Coyote (Canis latrans); 2. Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus); 3. Raccoon (Procyon lotor); 4. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes); 5. Spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius); 6. Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis); or 7. Any hybrid of rabies vector species.

The red fox is a rabies vector species on the prohibited natives list; the only live-fox exceptions in § 2 are for moving wild-caught foxes into a permitted foxhound training enclosure. § 1(3) defines native wildlife "regardless of ... being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so a captive-bred animal from another state is in the same position. KRS 65.877 lets local governments go further.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The companion to 2:082 and the rule that reaches any Kentucky native. § 1(3) defines native wildlife as species that have historically existed, currently exist or have naturally expanded their range into Kentucky, "regardless of ... origin or location of an individual animal" and of "being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so captive breeding is no exit. § 2(3) then requires a captive wildlife permit before acquiring one, with a five-per-species free allowance for native reptiles and amphibians at § 2(5) and nothing comparable for mammals. § 3(2) is the noncommercial permit, § 4 the transportation permit, § 6 the prohibited natives.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

301 KAR 2:082 §§ 4(2)(q), 5, 6(3)

(2) Except as established in Sections 5 and 6 of this administrative regulation, a person shall not import, transport, or possess the following inherently dangerous exotic wildlife: ... (q) Primates, nonhuman (Order Primates);

Every nonhuman primate is an inherently dangerous exotic, so the ring-tailed lemur is barred. The only routes left are an AZA-accredited facility and the commissioner's exemption in § 5, which is open to municipal zoos, colleges, circuses and earlier exempted facilities, not private keepers. Lemur catta is on CITES Appendix I, which bars commercial international trade, so a pet lemur here can only come from captive breeding inside the country, and the whole family Lemuridae is listed endangered under the Endangered Species Act (50 CFR 17.11).

Existing owners: A person who legally possessed the animal before July 13, 2005, may keep it for its life with veterinary records, acquisition papers or other proof, but may not replace it, breed it or transfer it.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

301 KAR 2:082 §§ 4(2)(a), 5, 6(3)

(2) Except as established in Sections 5 and 6 of this administrative regulation, a person shall not import, transport, or possess the following inherently dangerous exotic wildlife: (a) Alligators or caimans (Family Alligatoridae);

The first entry on the inherently dangerous list names caimans. The only routes left are an AZA-accredited facility and the commissioner's exemption in § 5, which is open to municipal zoos, colleges, circuses and earlier exempted facilities, not private keepers.

Existing owners: A person who legally possessed the animal before July 13, 2005, may keep it for its life with veterinary records, acquisition papers or other proof, but may not replace it, breed it or transfer it.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

301 KAR 2:082 §§ 4(2)(q), 5, 6(3)

(2) Except as established in Sections 5 and 6 of this administrative regulation, a person shall not import, transport, or possess the following inherently dangerous exotic wildlife: ... (q) Primates, nonhuman (Order Primates);

Every nonhuman primate is an inherently dangerous exotic, so the squirrel monkey is barred. The only routes left are an AZA-accredited facility and the commissioner's exemption in § 5, which is open to municipal zoos, colleges, circuses and earlier exempted facilities, not private keepers.

Existing owners: A person who legally possessed the animal before July 13, 2005, may keep it for its life with veterinary records, acquisition papers or other proof, but may not replace it, breed it or transfer it.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

301 KAR 2:081 § 6(1)

(1) Except as established in Sections 2(7) and 7 of this administrative regulation, 301 KAR 2:075, and 301 KAR 3:120, a person shall not import, transport into Kentucky, or possess: ... (j) Rabies Vector Species: 1. Coyote (Canis latrans); 2. Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus); 3. Raccoon (Procyon lotor); 4. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes); 5. Spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius); 6. Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis); or 7. Any hybrid of rabies vector species.

Both the striped and spotted skunks are named as rabies vector species. § 1(3) defines native wildlife "regardless of ... being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so a captive-bred animal from another state is in the same position. KRS 65.877 lets local governments go further.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The companion to 2:082 and the rule that reaches any Kentucky native. § 1(3) defines native wildlife as species that have historically existed, currently exist or have naturally expanded their range into Kentucky, "regardless of ... origin or location of an individual animal" and of "being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so captive breeding is no exit. § 2(3) then requires a captive wildlife permit before acquiring one, with a five-per-species free allowance for native reptiles and amphibians at § 2(5) and nothing comparable for mammals. § 3(2) is the noncommercial permit, § 4 the transportation permit, § 6 the prohibited natives.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

301 KAR 2:082 §§ 4(2)(n), 5, 6(3)

(2) Except as established in Sections 5 and 6 of this administrative regulation, a person shall not import, transport, or possess the following inherently dangerous exotic wildlife: ... (n) Lions, jaguars, leopards, or tigers (Genus Panthera);

Tigers are named in the Panthera entry. The only routes left are an AZA-accredited facility and the commissioner's exemption in § 5, which is open to municipal zoos, colleges, circuses and earlier exempted facilities, not private keepers. Federally, the Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 (16 U.S.C. § 3372(e)) bars any person outside a licensed exhibitor, sanctuary or state institution from breeding or possessing a tiger unless the animal was born before December 20, 2022, and registered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within 180 days, so no new pet is lawful anywhere in the country whatever the state rule says.

Existing owners: A person who legally possessed the animal before July 13, 2005, may keep it for its life with veterinary records, acquisition papers or other proof, but may not replace it, breed it or transfer it.

How this rule works: Three lists. Section 4(1) is prohibited species, injurious to native ecosystems. Section 4(2) is inherently dangerous exotic wildlife. Section 7 is the permit-exempt list. Anything on none of the three may be possessed, but a transportation permit is needed to bring it into the state. KRS 65.877, cited in the regulation itself, lets local governments prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife outright.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

301 KAR 2:081 §§ 2(3), 3(2)(a), 6, 9

Except as established in Sections 5(9) and 7(1) of this administrative regulation and subsections (4), (5), (6), and (9) of this section, a person holding native wildlife in captivity shall apply for and obtain the appropriate permit prior to acquiring wildlife.

The gray squirrel is a Kentucky native, so 2:081 governs it, and it is not on the § 6 prohibited natives list. A noncommercial captive wildlife permit is required before acquiring one, and § 9 sets its enclosure size by name. § 2(2) bars buying or selling a native taken from the wild, the flying squirrel's position.

How this rule works: The companion to 2:082 and the rule that reaches any Kentucky native. § 1(3) defines native wildlife as species that have historically existed, currently exist or have naturally expanded their range into Kentucky, "regardless of ... origin or location of an individual animal" and of "being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so captive breeding is no exit. § 2(3) then requires a captive wildlife permit before acquiring one, with a five-per-species free allowance for native reptiles and amphibians at § 2(5) and nothing comparable for mammals. § 3(2) is the noncommercial permit, § 4 the transportation permit, § 6 the prohibited natives.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

§ 2(3); § 3(2)(a)

Except as established in Sections 5(9) and 7(1) of this administrative regulation and subsections (4), (5), (6), and (9) of this section, a person holding native wildlife in captivity shall apply for and obtain the appropriate permit prior to acquiring wildlife.

The southern flying squirrel is a Kentucky native, so 301 KAR 2:082 does not reach it and 2:081 does. It is not on the § 6 prohibited natives list, which is bats, black bear, bobcat, cougar, otter, wild turkey, wolf, the rabies vector species and three herps, so a noncommercial captive wildlife permit under § 3(2)(a) is available to a private keeper and is required before acquiring the animal. Two conditions ride with it: § 2(2) bars buying or selling any native wildlife obtained from the wild, and § 5(6) limits a permit holder to a commercial permit holder, a gift, a legal trapping season or a legal out-of-state source under a transportation permit. The § 2(5) five-per-species free allowance is written for reptiles and amphibians only. § 2(9) says no captive wildlife permit is required "for captive-bred native wildlife legally imported or held in a temporary facility for ten (10) days or less", which on one reading would free an imported captive-bred squirrel outright; the ten-day clause reads more naturally as qualifying both limbs, so the permit is recorded as required.

How this rule works: The companion to 2:082 and the rule that reaches any Kentucky native. § 1(3) defines native wildlife as species that have historically existed, currently exist or have naturally expanded their range into Kentucky, "regardless of ... origin or location of an individual animal" and of "being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so captive breeding is no exit. § 2(3) then requires a captive wildlife permit before acquiring one, with a five-per-species free allowance for native reptiles and amphibians at § 2(5) and nothing comparable for mammals. § 3(2) is the noncommercial permit, § 4 the transportation permit, § 6 the prohibited natives.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.

301 KAR 2:081 §§ 2(3), 3(2)(a), 6, 9

Except as established in Sections 5(9) and 7(1) of this administrative regulation and subsections (4), (5), (6), and (9) of this section, a person holding native wildlife in captivity shall apply for and obtain the appropriate permit prior to acquiring wildlife.

The opossum is a Kentucky native, so 2:081 governs it, and it is not on the § 6 prohibited natives list. A noncommercial captive wildlife permit is required before acquiring one, and § 9 sets its enclosure size by name. § 2(2) bars buying or selling a native taken from the wild, the flying squirrel's position.

How this rule works: The companion to 2:082 and the rule that reaches any Kentucky native. § 1(3) defines native wildlife as species that have historically existed, currently exist or have naturally expanded their range into Kentucky, "regardless of ... origin or location of an individual animal" and of "being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so captive breeding is no exit. § 2(3) then requires a captive wildlife permit before acquiring one, with a five-per-species free allowance for native reptiles and amphibians at § 2(5) and nothing comparable for mammals. § 3(2) is the noncommercial permit, § 4 the transportation permit, § 6 the prohibited natives.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

301 KAR 2:083 §§ 1(2), (8), 2, 8(4), (5), (9)

(5) A new noncommercial captive cervid permit shall not be issued to a facility after February 28, 2016.

A captive deer is governed by the captive cervid regulation, not the pet rules: a captive cervid is one "privately owned, born, and raised in captivity", and holding one needs a captive cervid permit for an inspected facility behind an 8-foot fence. The noncommercial class, the one meant for animals not sold or traded, closed to new facilities after February 28, 2016, so only the commercial captive cervid permit remains.

Existing owners: A holder of a noncommercial captive cervid permit issued before March 1, 2016, may keep the animals for their lives, after which the permit lapses.

How this rule works: A captive cervid is one privately owned, born and raised in captivity, and holding one needs a captive cervid permit for an inspected facility behind an 8-foot fence. § 8(5) says no new noncommercial captive cervid permit will issue after February 28, 2016, and § 8(9) lets the earlier noncommercial holders keep their animals for life.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

301 KAR 2:081 § 2(5)(a); 301 KAR 2:082 § 4(2)(t), 6(3)

Five (5) or fewer individuals of each species of native reptile or amphibian may be taken year-round or possessed for personal use without a permit,

The Department's reptile checklist gives Kentucky one Crotalus, the timber rattlesnake, beside the western pigmy rattlesnake of the genus Sistrurus. As a native reptile the timber rattlesnake may be taken or kept for personal use, up to five, with no permit. Every other rattlesnake is an exotic member of Viperidae, which 2:082 § 4(2)(t) bars as an inherently dangerous venomous snake, with only the July 13, 2005, grandfather and the § 5 exemptions left.

How this rule works: The companion to 2:082 and the rule that reaches any Kentucky native. § 1(3) defines native wildlife as species that have historically existed, currently exist or have naturally expanded their range into Kentucky, "regardless of ... origin or location of an individual animal" and of "being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so captive breeding is no exit. § 2(3) then requires a captive wildlife permit before acquiring one, with a five-per-species free allowance for native reptiles and amphibians at § 2(5) and nothing comparable for mammals. § 3(2) is the noncommercial permit, § 4 the transportation permit, § 6 the prohibited natives.

Checked against the published text on October 8, 2026.

301 KAR 2:081 § 6(1)(j)7, (l); 301 KAR 2:082 § 4(2)(v)

(l) Wolf (Canis lupus).

Kentucky prohibits the wolf as a native and writes hybrid language twice, for "Any hybrid of rabies vector species", which reaches the coydog, and for hybrids of the inherently dangerous exotics, which do not include the wolf. Neither hybrid clause names the wolf. The wolf entry is a bare binomial, and the domestic dog is itself classed by many authorities as Canis lupus familiaris, so whether the entry reaches a wolfdog is not settled by the text. KRS 65.877 lets local governments regulate.

Cities and counties here can prohibit what state law permits, so check your local ordinance too.

How this rule works: The companion to 2:082 and the rule that reaches any Kentucky native. § 1(3) defines native wildlife as species that have historically existed, currently exist or have naturally expanded their range into Kentucky, "regardless of ... origin or location of an individual animal" and of "being captive-bred or taken from the wild", so captive breeding is no exit. § 2(3) then requires a captive wildlife permit before acquiring one, with a five-per-species free allowance for native reptiles and amphibians at § 2(5) and nothing comparable for mammals. § 3(2) is the noncommercial permit, § 4 the transportation permit, § 6 the prohibited natives.

Checked against the published text on October 1, 2026.