Exotic Pet Permits in NH

Currently, any NH resident can own pets from a list of allowed species covering many types of fish, non-venomous reptiles, and birds. In addition to the expected mammals - cats, dogs, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, ferrets, chinchinllas and rabbits - the following mammals are also allowed without any sort of permit:

• Bison
• Wild Boar
• Camel 
• Caribou/Reindeer
• Degus 
• Deer, Fallow 
• Deer, Red
• Deer, Sika
• Elk
• Guanco
• Llamas
• Alpacas
• Pot belly pigs, domesticated
• African pigmy hedgehog
• Sugar glider
• Tenrec
• Yak
• Zebra
• Asian water buffalo

Species that are banned or require a permit

The list of controlled species - those requiring a permit - is long, covering a wide range of animals, from bears and bats to wolves and woodchucks. Any animal that does not appear on the list of allowed species is also considered controlled by default.

There are also a few species that are banned entirely from being imported into New Hampshire. These include invasive species like zebra mussles and asiatic clams as well as species you already find in the state, like white-tailed deer and moose. 

A complete list of all allowed, controlled and prohibited species can be viewed here.

NH exotic pet permit procedures

Under NH state law, animals on the controlled list can be owned or sold only by individuals with a permit from the Fish and Game Department. Permits are issued at the discretion of the executive director, who is supposed to consider whether the animal would pose a threat to other wildlife, the public, or to New Hampshire’s ecosystem if released. Get a copy of the permit application.

Most states have a full or partial ban on private ownership of exotic animals or require permits or licenses. However, there are five states that currently do not require permits, though one—South Carolina—just passed a law to change that.

There has been no recent legislative move in New Hampshire to change the laws regarding ownership of exotic pets.

Exotic pets - a good or bad idea?

Supporters of eliminating the permit requirement in New Hampshire argue that the government shouldn’t have a say in what animals a private citizen wishes to keep. They point to the state’s existing laws regarding animal cruelty or dangerous animals, and say the rest should be left to individuals to decide.

Others point out that a strict permit requirement only encourages the black market in exotic animals.

Opponents of eliminating permits counter that many wild animals can pose a threat to public safety if they escape. The animals may also be at higher risk of abuse and neglect, as owners often do not have adequate facilities or lack the knowledge of how to meet the needs of an exotic species.

Curious about other animal rights and animal control laws in New Hampshire? Visit our Animal Rights issue page to learn more.