Iowa's Exotic Animal Laws

The State of Iowa regulates the owning or possessing of exotic or dangerous animals by anyone in the state as per a bill signed on the 25th of May, 2007. This bill covers any of the exotic or dangerous animals that are already in possession by any person on the date bill became effective and also covers any future ownership or possession of exotic or dangerous animals within the State of Iowa.

According to the Iowa Exotic Animal Laws, no one can possess or own a dangerous animal or allow a dangerous animal owned or possessed by an individual to breed in the State of Iowa. Transporting a dangerous animal into the State of Iowa is also prohibited according to 717F.3, the Iowa Exotic Animal Law.

Since this law did not come into effect until it was signed by the Governor of Iowa on May 25, 2007, there were already exotic or dangerous animals in the possession of individuals in the state. The new exotic animal law covers these animals as well by stating that these animals must be owned or possessed by a person who is at least eighteen years of age, that the person in possession or who owns the dangerous or exotic animal must have no convictions of abuse or neglect offenses in any state, city or county. This person can also not been convicted and committed of a felony within the past ten years by any state or federally or been convicted of an offense, be it a misdemeanor or felony, for a controlled substance within the past ten years, either in any state or federally. The owner or the person who possesses a dangerous or exotic animal before this bill was put into place must also have never had a permit or licensed needed for a commercial establishment that breeds and or sales exotic animals suspended.