Pet Owners

Only animals possessed prior to April 29, 2021 were eligible to be permitted for personal possession. Owners of any animals kept under this permit are responsible for making sure their pets are marked with a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag. No new pets of these species may be acquired after the rules take effect. Prohibited pet permits are valid for one year and can be renewed annually. Pet owners had until July 28, 2021 to come into compliance with the rules, except for caging requirements where they had until October 26, 2021 to improve outdoor enclosures to bring them into compliance.

Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.

Permit applications were accepted until the end of the grace period, which ended July 28, 2021. Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.

The Prohibited species regulatory classification does not allow for personal possession of these animals; however limited exceptions may apply to people who had these animals as pets prior to their listing as Prohibited.

Green iguanas and tegus (all species within Tupinambis or Salvator genera) may no longer be acquired as personal pets. Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.

No-cost pet permits were only issued to people who had green iguanas or tegus prior to April 29, 2021. These permits authorize pet owners to keep their beloved pet for the life of those animals, but they cannot acquire new pets of these species.

The Prohibited Species for personal use permit application is available on our website.

Owners may take their pets to a veterinarian of their choice to have their animals PIT tagged at regular cost for veterinary services.

The FWC can help find a home for nonnative species kept as pets that people can no longer care for through the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program. Animals can be surrendered to the FWC’s program throughout the year by calling our Exotic Species Hotline (1-888-Ive-Got1 or 1-888-483-4681) or by emailing PetAmnesty@MyFWC.com. Animals may be surrendered with no cost or penalty for the owner. Surrendered animals are placed with pre-approved adopters.

Possession of Prohibited species for personal use without a permit is a violation of Chapter 68-5, F.A.C. If you are in possession of wildlife that requires a permit, you must immediately place that wildlife with a permitted facility. Failure to relinquish wildlife may result in law enforcement action.

No. Only animals possessed prior to April 29, 2021 qualify for this permit. No new pets of these species may be obtained after April 29, 2021.

People in possession of the recently listed Prohibited species prior to April 29, 2021 had until July 28, 2021 to apply for their Prohibited species for personal use permit.  Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.

If an individual is in possession of a Prohibited species after the 90-day grace period ended on July 28th, 2021 and did not obtain or maintain a valid permit for the Prohibited species in question, the individual is in violation of the rule. Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.

Yes. You can get year-round assistance finding home for any unwanted exotic pets through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program. Surrendered pets are placed with pre-approved adopters at no cost or penalty to the owner.

Yes. The rule changes do not affect existing licensees with a valid License to Possess Venomous Reptiles or Reptiles of Concern (VRC) from the Captive Wildlife Office with a Reptile of Concern possessed prior to 2010. Licensees should continue to maintain that license for their Reptile of Concern. No new VRC licenses will be issued for pet Reptiles of Concern obtained after 2010.

If you have one of these animals as a pet, you had until July 28, 2021 to obtain a free Prohibited species for personal use permit and permanently mark the animal with a PIT tag. Owners in personal possession of Prohibited species may request assistance with rehoming through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.

If you are a public exhibitor, you must apply for a free Conditional/Prohibited/Nonnative Species Permit (CSP) for public educational exhibition. If you already have a current CSP, then you can submit a request to have it amended. 

If you are a researcher, you must apply for a free CSP for research use. If you already have a current CSP, then you can submit a request to have it amended. 

If you are an entity engaged in eradication or control work, you must apply for a free CSP for eradication and control use. 

If you possess green iguanas and/or tegus for commercial sale and qualify for a permit to continue that activity under the limited exception in Rule 68-5.007, F.A.C., you must apply for a free CSP for commercial sale of green iguanas or tegus. Permits are only issued to facilities meeting the requirements of Rule 68-5.007, F.A.C. Completed applications or requests for permit amendments may be submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife Impact Management Section via email to  NonnativePermitApps@MyFWC.com or by mail to 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.

Additional information on nonnative species permits

FWC personnel may conduct scheduled or unannounced inspections of the location where the animal(s) is being held. Inspections may occur before or after a permit is issued.

We have additional information and FAQ pages set up for the following topics:

Invasive Reptile Rule Changes

Commercial Sellers

Researchers

Trappers

Exhibitors