Captive Wildlife

Your thoughts, please... Take the Captive Wildlife Rule Survey through Dec. 7. Captive Wildlife Rules Home Captive Wildlife Rule Development Workshops Rule Changes Wildlife Not Requiring a Permit Wildlife Requiring a Permit Reptiles Class I Wildlife Class II Wildlife Class III Wildlife Game Mammals and Birds Conditional Nonnative Wildlife Prohibited Nonnative Wildlife Endangered Species Threatened Species Species of Special Concern Permits Permit applications & information Captive Wildlife Disaster Plan No-cost Personal Pet - Class III Exhibition or Sale - Class III Possession or Personal Use - Class II Exhibition or Public Sale - Class I, Class II Importation, Temporary Possession of Class I, II, III Possess or Exhibit Venomous Reptiles &/or Reptiles of Concern Wildlife & Migratory Bird Rehabilitation Falconry Taxidermy Other Permits and Applications Captive Wildlife Technical Assistance Group Captive Wildlife Facilities Other permits and applications Alligator Hunting preserves Game farms Nonnative species Fish dealers Stay in touch Notify me of opportunities to comment on proposed rules and regulations. More information Nuisance wildlife trappers Nonnative Pet Amnesty Program

Introduction

Florida has nearly 1,300 native species of fish and wildlife.  It also has become home to nearly 300 species of nonnative fish and wildlife.  Florida's subtropical climate is ideal for many foreign species to survive.  If these species escape or are released, they can easily become established here.

Many people possess native species for a variety of reasons - for retail, tourism, education, rehabilitation, etc. Florida requires permits for wildlife possession, exhibition and sale. The FWC enforces the statutes and regulations governing Florida's wildlife industry.

Commercial and private facilities must have permits for many types of native and nonnative animals - including potentially dangerous animals, such as Florida black bears and Florida panthers. These facilities include zoos, circuses, alligator farms, pet shops, tropical fish farms and individuals who own a class I, II or III animal (see below).

FWC officers routinely conduct inspections to ensure humane treatment and sanitary conditions are in place for the animals, and cage and security requirements are adhered to for public safety. The FWC's regulations, relative to cage sizes, safety and humane treatment, are among the most stringent in the nation.

Rule changes

Captive Wildlife has drafted a survey in the pursuit of seeking public input on four major subjects with potential rule changes.  We are seeking information from the public regarding county approval for captive wildlife facilities, labeling requirements of live wild animal shipments, providing the Captive Wildlife Critical Incident/Disaster Plan Part B to the county emergency manager, and exempting hobbyists from having to demonstrate sustained commercial activity.

Please click Rule Development 2010 Survey and provide your valuable insight

New rules affecting captive wildlife owners and possessors went into effect Jan. 1, 2008.  Read a summary of these rule changes.

Additional rules, effective August 27, 2009:

• 68A-12.011 Summary - Regulations Governing the Establishment and Operation of Game Farms
• 68A-6 Summary
• 68A-9.006 Summary - Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit

Captive wildlife categories

Click on the links for definitions and related information.

  Wildlife not requiring a permit

Permit applications and related information

Captive Wildlife Critical Incident/Disaster Plan

• Captive Wildlife Critical Incident - Disaster Plan (227KB) (required of all applicants wishing to possess captive wildlife, venomous reptiles and/or reptiles of concern)

Class III, No-cost Personal Pet Permit

• Application   
• Questionnaire   
• Information Memo 
• Freshwater Turtles

Class III, for Exhibition or Public Sale

• Application
• Reptile, Frog Dealers and Collectors' Memo
• Information Memo

Class II, Possession for Personal Use

• Application + Inventory Page + Instructions
• Information Memo
• Acreage Requirements for Class I and II Carnivores

Class I and/or Class II, for Exhibition or Public Sale

• Application + Inventory Page + Instructions
• Information Memo
• Acreage Requirements for Class I and II Carnivores
• Elephant Regulations
• Surety Bond, Class I

Importation, Temporary Possession of Class I, II, III

• Information Memo
• Application and Permit (used for temporary possession, transportation or importation of wildlife for education, commercial, non-commercial or rehabilitation purposes)

Possess or Exhibit Venomous Reptiles and/or Reptiles of Concern

• Application
• Questionnaire
• Bond Form for Exhibition of Venomous Reptiles
• Captive Wildlife Inventory Report Form (Reptiles)
• Reptile, Frog Dealers and Collectors' Memo

Wildlife and Migratory Bird Rehabilitation

• Application   
• Information Memo

Falconry

• Permits Memo (758KB)
• Bibliography
• License/Permit Application (130KB)
• Annual Falconry Report (415KB)

Taxidermy

• Information Memo

For More Information
Division of Law Enforcement, Investigations Section
620 S. Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
850-488-6253