Wildlife as Pets

Most wildlife requires a zoo or research permit to possess live. Contact a Fish and Wildlife Division office to ask about the species you are interested in and the permits required for your particular situation.

A small number of Alberta wildlife species that are classified as non-licence animals under the provincial Wildlife Act can be kept as a pet without a permit. However, because of the risk of spreading rabies, bats, skunks or raccoons cannot be kept as pets.

For a list of non-licence animals, see the Non-licence Animals section at:

• Damage Control Licences & Permits

• Wildlife Act – Wildlife Regulation  
  The provincial Wildlife Regulation restricts the ownership of most of kinds of wildlife.
• Public Health Act – Communicable Diseases Regulation  
  Regulations under the Public Health Act (the Communicable Diseases Regulation) also have restrictions for certain wildlife species. For example, the distribution of certain kinds of turtles is restricted, as is the care of certain kinds of birds. For more information, contact your local health authority.
• Agricultural Pests Act – Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation  
  Agricultural laws (the Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation) restrict the possession of rats to only those with the necessary permits, such as a scientific research facility.

In addition to provincial laws, there may also be municipal bylaws that apply to the possession of certain pets. Contact your municipality to learn about the bylaws that apply in your situation.

No. Alberta’s legislation does not prohibit a person from owning a hybrid of a wolf and a dog. Under provincial law, wolves are classified as furbearing animals and so cannot be kept as pets, but wolf/dog crosses can be legally possessed without special permits.

Before getting a wolf/dog cross, contact your municipal office as local bylaws may place restrictions on owning such pets.

Savannah cats (hybrid of a house cat and a serval cat), Bengal cats (hybrid of a house cat and an Asian leopard) and ocecats (hybrid of a house cat and an ocelot) are considered to be domestic cats, provided they are registered with The International Cat Association (TICA) as being an F4 generation or greater (such as an F5 or F6). A permit is not required to own one of these registered F4 or greater cats.

It is recommended that people who wish to import or possess these cats keep all TICA paperwork regarding the cat’s breed and ancestry in the event that wildlife officials request to see it.

Keep in mind that importing such animals into Canada may require a federal CITES permit.

A CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora) permit is often required when importing or exporting wildlife across Canadian borders.

Federal regulations about the import/export of wildlife must be followed, in addition to the municipal bylaws and provincial wildlife laws regarding the import/export and possession of wildlife.

You must apply to the Canadian Wildlife Service for a CITES permit. For more information about CITES permits, contact the Canadian Wildlife Service at 819- 997-2800 or 1-800-668-6767. You can also visit the Environment Canada website at:

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

First, you need to know if that particular species is allowed to be kept as a pet in Alberta. Contact a Fish and Wildlife Division office before bringing any wildlife into Alberta.

Second, there are federal endangered species laws that may apply import controls and/or control over the possession of certain species for a commercial purpose. Contact the Canadian Wildlife Service for more information. Additionally, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency maintains certain restrictions on importing animals into Canada because of animal health or human health-related concerns.