A Wild Animal as a Pet
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 26-40a — no wild cats, wolves, coyotes, bears or great apes
No one may possess a potentially dangerous animal: any wild cat, from lions and leopards to lynx and bobcats, wolves and coyotes, any bear, and gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans, or a hybrid of any of them.
Who handles this in Connecticut: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Connecticut directory.
Two exceptions people ask about. A cat breed certified by The International Cat Association, the Cat Fanciers Association or the American Cat Fanciers Association is exempt. So is a primate under thirty five pounds at maturity that was in the state before October 1, 2010.
An illegally kept animal can be seized at the owner's cost, with a civil penalty of up to $2,000 a day, and a willful violation is a class A misdemeanor. Accredited zoos, licensed exhibitors and veterinarians are exempt. Whether a particular animal is allowed is a question for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection or a licensed Connecticut attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 26-40a — Possession of potentially dangerous animal. Exemptions. Seizure, relocation and disposal
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Connecticut attorney.