North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission control all native
wildlife.
State law prohibits holding any
wild animal or bird in captivity
without a license from the Wildlife Ressources Commission. Before
the Commission can issur a license autohrizing a person to keep a
wild animal or bird in captivity, it must be determine that the
animal or bird was acquired lawfully and will not be kept merely as a
pet. An approved facility must be provided.
There are only a limited number of ways that a wild animal or bird
can be lawfully obtained for holdig in captivity:
1: The animal or bird can be taken from the wild using lawful
methods during open season by a properly licensed or permitted
individual.
2: The animal or bird can be acquired from a person legally holding
it in captivity under license requirements of this or another state.
If it is obtained from another state, an importation permit is
required in addition to a captivity license. It is unlawful to
import foxes, raccoons, skunks, or bats. At this time it is unlawful
to keep skunks, or raccoons. The proper license must be obtained
prior to acquiring any wildlife from a license holder.
The phone number of the Wildlife Resource Commission in NC is 919 733
3391 They will mail a form with the regulations as far as cages, etc.
This said, A lot of people do not realize that NC dept. of
Agriculture regulates some animals also. The last information I
received was the follow animals can not be held without proof you
have a USDA and they are to be used for exibit. In addition, a
permit from the state vet needs to acquired before purchase. The
animals are skunks, fox, that covers all breeds including fennecs,
raccoons, ringtails, bobcats, coyotes, martens, and brushtail
possums. They will inforce this law if they learn a person has any
of the above species without USDA and proof they will be used in a
research institute, for public display or organized entertainment as
in zoos or circuses. The information does not include information if
the animals are acquired in the state but I understand the same
regulations apply. If in doubt the phone number of the NCDA is 919
733 7601.
