Can you own a Zebra in the United States? Yes, a few U.S. states allow residents to keep Zebras as exotic pets. However, that doesn't make it an excellent idea, as Zebras are impossible to domesticate, unlike horses. As beautiful as they are, Zebras' kicks can kill a lion and hurt or kill a human. Nevertheless, keeping a Zebra as a pet is legal in some states in the United States, without the need for paperwork. In these states, Zebras are sometimes maintained like typical livestock.
According to a US Zebra owner, a Zebra may bite or kick if pushed. However, a zebra will have an extremely strong bond if it trusts its owner.
If you wish to own a pet Zebra in the US or are just curious to know the states in which owning a pet Zebra is legal, keep reading.
States in Which Zebras Are Legal To Own
- Alabama
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Texas
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Alabama is one of the few states that have no laws regulating the ownership of exotic animals including Zebras. According to World Animal Foundation, it is legal to keep a Zebra as a pet in the state of California. A permit is required to own a Zebra in the state of Delaware. In Florida, it is legal to keep a Zebra as a pet with a Class III permit.
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, any animal that does not appear under the Class I and Class II categories automatically falls under the Class III category. Zebras do not appear on the list of Class I and Class II animals in Florida and are therefore automatically considered a Class III animal, which may be possessed with a permit. For more info on this, read Florida Class I, Class II, and Class III animals.
According to My State Line, Zebras are legal to own in the state of Illinois because they do not appear on the list of 45 animals that are illegal to own in The Prairie State. In Maryland, residents need to obtain a USDA permit in other to own a Zebra. Owning a Zebra is legal in the state of Michigan, however, one must meet several requirements in other to do so, according to thegame730am.
You can legally own a Zebra in addition to a lion or a tiger in the state of Montana. Pet lovers don't need a permit to own a Zebra in the state of Nevada. North Carolina residents can legally own a pet Zebra, as The Old North State has no regulations regarding exotic animals.
Zebras are legal to own with a permit in the state of North Dakota. In the state of Ohio, Zebras can legally be kept as pets because they are not considered dangerous or banned. In March 2023, a farmer in Circleville, Ohio, was rushed to a hospital after his pet zebra almost bit his arm off, The Guardian reported.
Oregon pet lovers must obtain a license or permit from the Department of Agriculture in other to keep a Zebra as a pet. However, before a license or permit is issued, the person wishing to own a Zebra must provide details on how he or she plans to care for the animal.
In the state of Oklahoma, residents are allowed to keep Zebras as pets without obtaining a permit.
Keeping exotic animals such as Zebras as pets is not illegal in the states of Texas, South Carolina, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. However, many municipalities in these Pet Zebra Legal States have stricter ordinances that prohibit the possession of wildlife, both native and exotic, typically in residential areas. So, if you are considering owning a Zebra in any of these states, you may want to check your local animal ordinances to see if it is legal.
Pet Zebra Illegal States
It is illegal to keep a Zebra as a pet in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
