Section 250-RICR-40-05-3.11 - Issuance and ConditionsA. Issuance of exotic or native wild animal import or possession permits may be made by the Department upon the following:1. Receipt of written application providing all of the information enumerated in this Part not less than seven (7) days preceding the probable day of shipment of the animal(s);2. Satisfactory inspection by the Department of the proposed quarantine site and final enclosures;3. Payment of the necessary permit fee of five dollars ($5.00) per animal as required under R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-18-8. (Fee applicable only to exotic wild animals as defined);4. Determination by the Department that importation or possession of the exotic or native wild species will not endanger the public health or the health of native wildlife or domestic animals to an extent greater than possession of domestic animals or exempt exotic animals would;5. Approval of the proposed point of first (1st) entry into the State of Rhode Island; and,6. Receipt and approval by the Rhode Island State Veterinarian of a Health Certificate signed and issued within thirty (30) days of the anticipated arrival of the wild animal(s). Such Health Certificate must be issued by a Federally-accredited Veterinarian licensed in the State of origin of the exotic or native wild animal(s), be countersigned by the State Veterinarian of the State of origin and be accompanied by any test records determined to be necessary by the Department. The Health Certificate must state that the animal(s) is free from signs of infectious, contagious, and zoonotic diseases in addition to the specific required tests.B. The permit may, at the discretion of the Department, list specific conditions that must be met prior to and/or must be maintained after issuance of an exotic or native wild animal possession permit.C. The exotic or native wild animal possession permit is not transferable to another person or location without the expressed prior written permission to do so from the Department.D. Any person in possession of an exotic or native wild animal possession permit must maintain possession of the animal(s) identified on that permit at the location specified on that permit, and in the enclosure(s) that were inspected prior to issuance of that permit. Removal of the animal to any location within the State without the expressed written approval by the Department is prohibited. Anyone wishing to remove the animal from the permitted location or enclosure must notify the Department in writing no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the expected movement. The Department will conduct an inspection of the premises and enclosure that the permitted animal is intended to be moved to, and if approved, will notify the permittee that the animal may be moved. No animal may be moved without approval by the Department. Prior approval by and notification of the Department is not necessary for the temporary movement of the animal for emergency veterinary care or in the event of an event that jeopardizes the health and safety of the public, or the permitted animal. In the event that an animal is moved under these circumstances, the Department must be notified as soon as possible, no later than the following business day.
E. Any modification of the enclosure(s) must be inspected and approved before the permitted animal(s) are allowed to be housed within.F. Any exotic or native wild animal as permitted shall not be used for breeding purposes without prior approval by the Department. If approval is granted, limits may be imposed as to the number of exotic or wild animals allowed per location and or enclosure.G. The possessor of any permitted exotic or native wild animal must notify the Department within twenty-four (24) hours of the death of that animal, and immediately upon the escape of that animal. The Department may be contacted outside of normal business hours at (401) 222-3070, DEM Division of Law Enforcement.H. The exotic or native wild animal and the enclosure are subject to periodic inspection by representatives of the Department without prior notice.I. The Department may order immediate examination and testing of any permitted exotic or native wild animal(s) upon suspicion that the animal(s) may be harboring a disease that threatens public health or the health of domestic animals or native wildlife. Measures necessary to do so may include but not be limited to quarantine, seizure, euthanasia, and post-mortem examination. Any examination or testing so ordered will be at the expense of the permittee.J. Any person bitten, scratched or otherwise injured by a permitted exotic or native wild animal must be immediately reported to the Animal Control Officer in the municipality where the animal is housed and to the Rhode Island State Veterinarian.K. The release into the wild of any animal for which an exotic or native wild animal importation and or possession permit has been issued is prohibited whether or not such release was intentional or accidental. Release may be subject to criminal prosecution pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-1-26 in addition to the imposition of any administrative penalties herein.L. Any animal imported with an exotic or native wild animal possession permit may, at the discretion of the Department, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-18-11, be required to undergo a period of quarantine. The terms of the quarantine will be established on a case-by-case basis by the Rhode Island State Veterinarian.M. The disposition of any permitted animal that the permittee no longer wishes to maintain is the sole responsibility of the permittee. All dispositions must be made in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws or ordinances. If the permittee chooses to euthanize the animal as the means of disposition, such euthanasia must be performed in accordance with the most current version of the AVMA Guideline for the Euthanasia of Animals as is published by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The Department must be notified in writing within seven (7) days of a disposition. The method of disposition must be included in the notice. The permittee must also return the permit along with the notice of disposition.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-3.11
Amended effective 7/11/2021