Can You Have a Fox as a Pet? Legality, Ethics & Vet-Reviewed Facts

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REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Maja Platisa

Veterinarian, DVM MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Many people seem to be obsessed with having the most exotic, outlandish, and unique pets. Celebrities like Ice-T and Elvis Presley were known to keep interesting animals—sharks and monkeys, respectively—fueling the public’s love of exotic pets even more.

But one exotic pet that doesn’t seem quite as dangerous as a shark is a fox. The question is, though, can you own a fox as a pet, and should you, even if you could? In the United States, some states may allow keeping a fox as a pet with special permits and licenses, but it’s definitely not the norm, nor is it recommended. If you’ve been considering cuddling up with your own fox cub, read on to find out why it isn’t a good idea, for multiple reasons.

Disclaimer: PangoVet and our in-house veterinarians do not endorse the practice of keeping wild animals as pets, due to many ethical and welfare concerns. This article is for informative purposes only.

Is It Legal to Own a Fox as a Pet?

The rules differ between the states that do allow foxes as pets, and the laws can even change depending on the species of fox and their conservation status.¹

Legally owning foxes, in states where it is permitted, does require special licenses and permits. Some of the states that allow a fox to be kept as a pet include North Dakota (Ranch Foxes), Arkansas, Oklahoma (Fennec Foxes), Utah (only privately owned foxes), and Wyoming. The rules regarding permits and more can change between fox species and usually affect exotic and native fox species in different ways.

Should You Own a Fox?

To most people, it may sound like a dream come true, owning a real fox, but that’s as far from the truth as it gets. Foxes are wild animals, and they have specific requirements when it comes to the environment, enclosure, behavioral needs, social interactions within the species, veterinary care, nutrition, and many more. This cannot be achieved easily in captivity, and the only places that should manage wild animals are conservation and rehabilitation centers that can provide professional and species-appropriate care.

Owning a fox as a pet also raises ethical questions. Their well-being can be put at risk in a restricted enclosure that may not fulfil all the necessary requirements. Owning a fox may also have an impact on the wild population, especially in the case of endangered fox species. Finally, foxes can also present a risk for human health and the health of other animals, including pets, as they have an instinct to hunt and exhibit their natural behaviors, which should not be discouraged.

States Where It’s Legal to Own a Fox as a Pet

Altogether, there are over a dozen states where it’s legal to own a fox in some capacity. The rules can change in every state and with each fox species, though. So, just because it might be legal to own a fox in your state, that doesn’t mean you can just go catch one in the wild and domesticate it. You’ll still need to check the laws in your specific state, county, and municipality, as well as necessary requirements and ethical considerations.

States Where Fox Ownership Is a Gray Area

There are some states that technically allow you to keep a fox but essentially make it impossible to do so. For example, both Maine and Delaware legally let you keep foxes but make it difficult to acquire the necessary permits. In other states, it’s legal to own a fox but illegal to import one. Chances are good that there aren’t any fox breeders within these states, making it practically impossible to legally own one.

Purchasing a Pet Fox or Catching One

Let’s say that you live in a state that allows foxes to be kept as pets. Can you go out and catch a fox to domesticate? Maybe not. In some states, such as Arkansas, you are allowed to catch foxes in the wild and domesticate them. But Arkansas is the exception, not the rule.

In many states, even though it’s legal to own a fox, you can’t just go out and catch one. That said, other states are the opposite. Kentucky, for example, allows you to own foxes, but you can’t legally import any of the fox species that are available in the pet trade.

The Rules Change Depending on the Fox Species

Even if foxes are legal to keep as pets in your state, that doesn’t mean that any species is allowed. It might be the case that only certain species of fox are legal to keep, and keeping others will result in a hefty fine or worse. In many states, the rules differ depending on whether the fox species is native or exotic.

As tempting as it may sound to actually own a pet fox, these are wild animals, and some species are protected and subject to international trade regulations (CITES). They also cannot be entirely domesticated and may still exhibit unpredictable behaviors and pose a threat to human or animal health. They also require special housing and have specific environmental and enrichment needs in order to exhibit their natural behaviors. Meeting these is often difficult or impossible in captivity. Again, these are just some of the reasons why we strongly discourage keeping wild animals such as foxes as pets.

Special Exemptions

All the laws and rules discussed so far pertain to individual people who wish to keep foxes as personal pets. However, there are exceptions to these rules made for certain special groups, like conservation and wildlife rehab centers.

For instance, groups that do educational exhibitions at different places like schools and libraries can often get special permits to keep a fox, even in places where it’s not legal under ordinary circumstances. In these cases, annual inspections are generally required, along with a license, such as a wildlife educator permit or wildlife rehabilitation permit.

Conclusion

Owning a fox or another exotic animal may sound tempting to begin with, but it is not something that is recommended for a variety of reasons, including potential risks for human health, as well as the animal’s well-being and quality of life. Rather than looking into how to find a loophole and get a fox, we strongly urge you to get in touch with your local wildlife rehabilitation centers, where you can volunteer, donate supplies, or even sponsor a fox’s recovery and return to the wild.

Interesting Reads:

• Do Canadian Marble Foxes Make Great Pets?
• Are Foxes Related to Dogs?

Featured Image Credit: Pixabay