What Exotic Pets Are Legal in West Virginia?

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Curious about what exotic pets are legal in West Virginia? Then read on! Please note that this is not an all inclusive list, but only includes animals we personally educate about here at Exotic Pet Wonderland. 

Questions about an animal not on this page? Send us an email and we will find out!

Relevant Exotic Pet Laws for West Virginia

Here are the actual laws exotic pet laws for the state of West Virginia. Please note that exotic pet laws are often unclear, and contacting your state’s game department is always the best bet to clarify. For the purpose of this article, we have personally reached out for needed clarification. 

Are Pet Foxes Legal In West Virginia?

There are some species of pet fox that are legal in West Virginia. For more information on individual species, please read below. 

Are Arctic Foxes Legal In West Virginia?

Yes, pet arctic foxes are legal in West Virginia. You do not need a permit to keep an arctic fox as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Red Foxes Legal In West Virginia?

No, pet red foxes are not legal in West Virginia. You cannot keep a red fox as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Fennec Foxes Legal In West Virginia?

Yes, pet fennec foxes are legal in state. You do not need a permit to keep fennec fox as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Pale Foxes Legal In West Virginia?

Yes, pet pale foxes are legal in West Virginia. You do not need a permit to keep a pale fox as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Gray Foxes Legal In West Virginia?

No, pet gray foxes are not legal in West Virginia. You cannot keep a gray fox as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Tanuki's/Raccoon Dogs Legal In West Virginia?

No, pet raccoon dogs/tanukis are not legal in state, or an any other state. Read more information on why raccoon dogs are illegal everywhere here.

Are Mink Legal in West Virginia?

As long as they are captive bred mink from domestic strains, pet mink are legal in state. You do not need a permit to keep a domestic mink as a pet in West Virginia. Wild type mink are not allowed. 

Are Raccoons Legal In West Virginia?

No, pet raccoons are not legal in West Virginia. You cannot keep a raccoon as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Coyotes Legal In West Virginia?

No, pet coyotes are not legal in state. You cannot keep a coyote as a pet in state.

Are Coydogs Legal In West Virginia?

Yes, pet coydogs are legal in West Virginia. You do not need a permit to keep a coydog as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Lynx Legal in West Virginia?

Yes, pet lynx are legal in West Virginia as long as you have a permit and the lynx is from a USDA licensed breeder.

In order to have a lynx as a pet in West Virginia, you must have a dangerous wild animal permit. There are extensive requirements to keep a pet lynx in West Virginia, including having “Liability insurance in an amount of not less than $300,000 with a deductible of not more than $250 for each occurrence of property damage, bodily injury or death caused by a dangerous wild animal possessed by the person.” 

More information about the Dangerous Wild Animal Permit required for pet lynxes can be found here. 

Are Caracals Legal in West Virginia?

Yes, pet caracals are legal in West Virginia as long as you have a permit and the caracal is from a USDA licensed breeder.

In order to have a caracal as a pet in West Virginia, you must have a dangerous wild animal permit. There are extensive requirements to keep a pet caracal in West Virginia, including having “Liability insurance in an amount of not less than $300,000 with a deductible of not more than $250 for each occurrence of property damage, bodily injury or death caused by a dangerous wild animal possessed by the person.” 

More information about the Dangerous Wild Animal Permit required for pet caracals can be found here. 

Are Bobcats Legal In West Virginia?

No, pet bobcats are not legal in West Virginia. You cannot keep a bobcat as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Wolfdogs Legal In West Virginia?

Yes, pet wolfdogs are legal in West Virginia. You do not need a permit to keep a wolfdog as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Servals Legal In West Virginia?

Yes, pet servals are legal in West Virginia. You do not need a permit to keep a serval as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Savannah Cats Legal In West Virginia?

Yes, pet Savannah cats are legal in West Virginia. You do not need a permit to keep a Savannah cat as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Asian Leopard Cats Legal in West Virginia?

Yes, pet Asian leopard cats are legal in West Virginia. You do not need a permit to keep an Asian leopard cat as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Bengal Cats Legal In West Virginia?

Yes, Bengal cats are legal in West Virginia. You do not need a permit to keep a Bengal cat as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Skunks Legal In West Virginia?

No, pet skunks are not legal in West Virginia. You cannot keep a skunk as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Opossums Legal In West Virginia?

No, pet opossums are not legal in West Virginia. You cannot keep an opossum as a pet in West Virginia.

Are Bats Legal In West Virginia?

Yes, pet bats are legal in West Virginia as long as they are not native species. You do not need a permit to keep a non-native species of bat as a pet in West Virginia.

Did you enjoy this list?

If you enjoyed our exotic pet legality list, please consider donating! Exotic Pet Wonderland is a nonprofit 501(c)3 animal sanctuary that requires donations to keep our sanctuary running. We work hard to research these laws and create these lists, and would like to no longer have to rely on ads to keep our site running. If you are interested in helping us further our goal to provide homes for and to educate about captive-bred wildlife, your donation would be greatly appreciated! 

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