Section 250-RICR-40-05-3.9 - Requirements for PermitsA. A permit to import into, receive, or possess in this State animals defined as exotic wild animals or native wild animals under § 3.6 of this Part, shall be restricted to the USDA, the Department, AZA approved zoos and research institutes or other USDA approved facilities, as well as exhibitors and private persons, seeking to import or possess a wild animal for private ownership, unless expressly prohibited under § 3.7 of this Part, pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 4-18-3 and 4-18-6, as amended herein. Obtaining such permits does not preclude conformance with such other applicable Federal, State, or Local requirements.B. Unless exempted pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 4-18-3 and 4-18-6, no person shall be allowed to import, or possess any animals defined as exotic wild animals or native wild animals without first obtaining a permit from the Department. In addition, no permits shall be granted by the Department to a private person authorizing the import, and/or possession of any exotic wild animals of the order Carnivora, or hybrids thereof, for which there is no USDA conditionally licensed or unconditionally licensed rabies vaccine.C. The Department, at its discretion, may issue an exotic animal possession permit to import, receive, or possess exotic animals, and native animals. An exotic animal possession permit is not required for importation or possession of domestic animals or for importation or possession of exempt exotic animals.D. Persons wishing to obtain a permit to import or possess exotic wild animals can do so through the Department, Division of Agriculture.E. Persons wishing to obtain a permit to import or possess native wildlife as defined in § 3.6(A)(14) of this Part can do so through the Department, Division of Fish and Wildlife.F. Any resident person who at the time of the adoption of these Regulations possesses a USDA Exhibitors License and currently possesses a Wild Animal Possession permit from the Department for a native or exotic animal, shall be authorized to continue to possess the animal(s) in question, in accordance with these regulations, for the life of that animal. Any request to possess additional animals shall be subject to the requirements of these Regulations.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-3.9
Amended effective 7/11/2021