Massachusetts Exotic Animal Law

The Massachusetts Exotic Animal Law is simple. It state that it is illegal for anyone to possess any non-domesticated animal, including wild birds, mammals, fish, reptiles or amphibians unless the animal was owned before June 30, 1995. The law responsible for propagation, cultivation, dealing in or maintenance of birds, fish, reptiles, mammals or amphibians without the proper licensing is MASS. GEN. LAWS ANN. ch. 131, §77A. This law states that special licensing can be issued to an individual that states that they are allowed to propagate, possess or maintain fish for their personal use or for their family or guest's personal use. It also states that a special license can be issued to a club or organization to propagate, possess or maintain fish for its members or guests with the purpose of fishing in controlled situations for these fish. This special propagators license can also be issued to anyone who propagates, possesses or maintains fish to release into public waters, or to dispose of fish at anytime in the year. A special propagators license will also be issued to any individual or organization which possesses mammals or birds to be released for hunting purposes or for the purpose of training dogs as long as the animals are not to be sold. This law is also responsible for issueing falconry and raptor licenses.

The law responsible for the artificial propagation and maintenance of mammals and birds is MASS. REGS. CODE tit. 321, §2.12. The purpose of this Massachusetts Exotic Law is to establish requirements for possessing, maintaining, licensing and disposing of mammals, amphibians, wild birds and reptiles. This law is designed and enforced to protect the wild animals in Massachusetts from interference and cruel treatment as well as to protect the public from these wild animals as well. Licensing of wild or exotic animals and the requirements for possessing, maintaining and even the artificial propagation of exotic and protected animals are also scopes of this law.