Can you have a pet monkey in California legally? With the recent trend of having unusual pets such as pigs, chickens and even llamas, can you still own monkeys in California? If so, what can they do and can I get one from a breeder or exotic animal dealer? Read this blog post to find out.
Let’s start with the most important question:
Can you have a pet monkey in California? No, you can’t have a pet monkey in California legally as the state classifies monkeys along with other primates including all gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos, and gibbons as wildlife that are illegal to import, sell, or own in the state.
But there is a bit more to it, so let’s explore why is it illegal to have a pet monkey in California, who can actually own pet monkeys in California, and what would happen if you get caught with an illegal pet monkey in the Golden State.
Contents
The laws on exotic pets in California
It is a misdemeanor in California for individuals to keep an endangered animal or animals which are considered a hazard to public or health safety or native wildlife as a pet.
Several of these limitations, on the other hand, appear to be self-evident – such as bans on keeping tigers. The fines for keeping such animals as pets can also be quite hefty.
For example, in California you can be fined up to $20,000 for owning a pet orangutan and it can cost over $100,000 if the department of fish and game decides to seize your illegal pet.
On top of that, there is no way around federal law on monkeys either when it comes down to importing them from another state.
Who can own a pet monkey in California?
The short answer is: no one can own a pet monkey without a permit, but some people can and do keep primates as pets and it’s very hard for authorities to distinguish illegal monkeys from legal ones. There are several cases of people keeping an illegally imported orangutan that
How can you have a pet monkey in California?
Monkeys and other primates may only be owned by individuals who have been licensed for a specific legal purpose such as employing them in films or use them for medical research.
You can learn more about the restricted species permit here, which is the permit you need to legally be in possession of a monkey.
What happens if you get caught with a monkey illegally in California?
If authorities catch you with an illegal pet monkey, you will be hit with either:
- A handsome fine of no less than $500 and no more than $10,000, plus the costs of removing the animal, caring for it, and strong it,
- Criminal prosecution for a misdemeanor, which could end up with you getting up to 6 months in county jail and/or another $1,000 fine
Fortunately, in California, people are rarely penalized for unlawful possession of exotic pets, because California, of course
The state of California, on the other hand, has the authority to seize any illegal pet from you and do as they wish from it, which can mean they either release it in the wild, send it to a care facility, sell it to a Lab, or euthanize it even.
Why are monkeys illegal in California?
There are several reasons why monkeys can be illegal in California. These include the risk of diseases they can carry, their capacity to inflict bodily harm on humans or pets, safety concerns due to potential damage that can be done by primates to private property, and they can also cause environmental problems through destruction of forests.
Monkeys can carry a variety of diseases, such as tuberculosis and herpes B virus. In addition to the potential public health risk posed by these animals, monkeys can be aggressive towards humans and can prove very dangerous if they become upset or frightened.
Possessing a primate in California is illegal unless you have a permit for it under law that was passed back in 2012.
Conclusion on owning pet monkeys in California:
In California, you can’t have a pet monkey as the state classifies monkeys along with all gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos, and gibbons as wildlife that is illegal to import, sell, or possess in the state.
Although you can still obtain a pet monkey illegally in the state, it’s very strongly advisable to not do that as the fines and punishments can be very tough. You may be hit with a $10,000 fine and you may even have to fight criminal charges at court.
Monkeys are illegal in California for a good reason, though. Not only can they be dangerous to humans, they can also be dangerous to the native wildlife of the golden state, so it’s probably a good thing they are not allowed.
You can learn about where you can own a pet monkey legally in the US here.
Related Questions
Do you need a permit for a capuchin monkey?
A capuchin monkey as a support animal requires a special permit. Sugar gliders and European ferrets do not need a permit, but domesticated rabbits and small rodents, with the exception of hedgehogs, are allowed without one.
Are finger monkeys legal?
Finger monkeys can be illegal in California because they are considered a monkey, which is classed as wildlife. You can only own them with a special permit, so owning one illegally can result in heavy fines and even jail time.
Can I keep a capuchin monkey as my service animal?
Capuchin monkeys are not allowed for use by individuals for emotional support. This is because they can become aggressive and can pose a danger to people around them if upset or frightened, which can lead to damage of property too.
