What is an exotic pet?
The definition of exotic pet may change from person to person and organization to organization. Often “exotic” pets which are quite common and established may be considered exotic by some definitions. One of the simplest definitions in common use is an exotic pet is anything other than a cat or a dog and not livestock.
The municipality of Cambridge Ontario, has specific criteria for what it considers an exotic pet set out in the city by laws. Pets which are considered “exotic” are banned from being kept as pets in the city. This list is current as of the time of writing, but always check out the most up to date by-laws on the City of Cambridge website https://www.cambridge.ca/en/your-city/By-Laws.aspx
MAMMALS
Artiodactyla | Such as cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, deer, elk |
Canidae | Such as coyotes, wolves, foxes, hybrid wolf dogs, coydogs (except dogs) |
Chiroptera | Such as bats, fruit bats, myotis, flying foxes |
Edentates | Such as anteaters, sloths, armadillos |
Felidae | Such as tigers, leopards, cougars, lions, lynx (except domestic cats) |
Hyaenidae | Such as hyaenas |
Lagomorpha | Such as hares, pikas (except domestic rabbits) |
Marsupialia | Such as koalas, kangaroos, possums, wallabies (except sugar gliders derived from self-sustaining captive population) |
Mustelidae | Such as mink, skunks, weasels, otters, badgers (except ferrets) |
Primates | Such as chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, lemurs |
Perissodactyla | Such as horses, donkeys, jackasses, mules, zebras, ponies |
Proboscidea | Such as elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamus |
Procyonidae | Such as coatimundi, cacomistles, raccoons |
Rodentia | Such as porcupines, prairie dogs, nutria, (except rodents such as chinchillas, hamsters and guinea pigs which do not exceed 1,500 grams and are derived from a self-sustaining captive population) |
Ursidae | Such as bears |
Viverridae | Such as mongoose, civets, genets |
REPTILES
Crocodylia | Such as alligators, crocodiles, gavials, caimans |
Squamata | Lizards that are venomous or poisonous Lizards that are greater than 2 metres Snakes that are venomous or poisonous Snakes that are greater than 2 metres |
BIRDS
Anseriformes | Such as ducks, geese, swans, screamers |
Galliformes | Such as pheasants, grouse, guinea fowl, turkeys, chickens, pea fowl |
Struthioniformes | Such as ostriches, rheas, cassowaries, emus, kiwis |
Raptors | Such as eagles, hawks, falcons except those falcons licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, owls |
OTHER
All venomous or poisonous insects and amphibians |
At Preston Animal clinic we know all pets are another member of the family, and we frequently work with unconventional or “exotic” pets. If your pet needs medical assistance reach out to us to set up an appointment with one of our veterinarians.