Means any live non-human primate, raccoon, skunk, wolf or hybrid canine, coyote, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, cheetah, bear, wild cat (e.g., bobcat, lynx and caracal, serval, ocelot), crocodilian (e.g., alligators, caimans, gavials), venomous snake, venomous reptile, scorpions (other than those in the genus Pandinus), widow, recluse, funnel-web, banana/wandering, sand or trap-door spiders and tarantulas (except those native to North or South America and the Mexican redknee variety) or any other warm-blooded mammal or marsupial that can normally be found in a wild state. All domestically bred or legally imported birds, ratites, non-venomous snakes, non-venomous reptiles, rear-fanged snakes, amphibians, fish, ferrets, rabbits, rats, mice, gerbils, chinchillas, hedgehogs, sugar gliders and guinea pigs which have been bred in captivity shall be excluded from this definition.
[Added 11-19-2025[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Art. VII, Wild or Exotic Animals, as amended 4-20-2022 by Ord. No. 22-007.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or permit, breed or permit to breed, on his premises any wild or exotic animal, unless that person shall have previously obtained a permit from Amelia County Animal Control. Permit applications for a wild or exotic animal(s) by persons who do not own the property upon which the animal(s) is to be housed must also be executed by the owner of the real property upon which the animal(s) is to be housed before any permit shall be issued.
B.
This section shall not apply to:
(1)
Animal programs operated by Amelia County public schools;
(2)
Veterinary clinics in possession of wild or exotic animals for treatment or rehabilitation purposes;
(3)
Persons holding a Category I, II, or III wildlife rehabilitation permit issued by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources for the purpose of rehabilitation pursuant to the conditions of their wildlife rehabilitation permit and applicable state law;
(4)
Wildlife exhibitors which are properly licensed or permitted by the federal government or Commonwealth of Virginia;
(5)
Nature centers, refuges, or parks owned or operated by the federal, state or local government; or
(6)
Conservation police or Animal Control Officers managing or transporting said animals in the line of duty.
C.
No permit applications for wild or exotic animals shall be considered or issued without the presentation of valid and current federal and state permits as required for each specific animal. Information supplied on such permit may be provided to other County departments as notification for public health and safety purposes.
D.
No person shall keep, or allow to be kept, on his premises any wild or exotic animal as a pet, for display, or for exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee. No person shall keep a wild or exotic animal for purposes of selling without the animal being permitted. These prohibitions shall not apply to performing animal exhibitions, circuses; veterinary clinics, or indoor/outdoor recreational facilities which have proper zoning and licenses from the applicable federal, state or local government, as well as a special event permit pursuant to Chapter 138 of the Amelia County Code; or to veterinary clinics which have proper zoning and licenses from the government.
E.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person shall exhibit or display any wild or exotic animal in a manner so that persons other than their handlers can pet, touch, or come in direct physical contact with such animals.
A.
The owner of a wild or exotic animal shall apply to Amelia County Animal Control, within 10 working days of acquisition of any said animal or within 10 working days of becoming a new resident of the County, or within 10 working days of changing address within the County, for a permit authorizing the keeping of said animals within the County. Each application for a wild or exotic animal permit shall demonstrate that:
(1)
The animal(s) will be contained in a manner that is species-appropriate and meets the definition of "adequate shelter" as defined in § 3.2-6500 of the Code of Virginia, as amended;
(2)
The wild or exotic animal(s) will be securely enclosed at all times in a manner that is appropriate for the character of the animal;
(3)
The animal(s) will be provided with an appropriate habitat and be properly fed, cared for, and handled;
(4)
The owner maintains current federal and state permits as required for possession of that particular species of animal(s); and
(5)
The owner consents to the inspection by an animal control officer of the facility in which the animal is kept upon receipt of the application and, thereafter, at least once every 12 months for the duration the permit is valid.
B.
At the time of registration, the owner must provide complete information, including but not limited to: age, sex, color, species of animals and quantity, location of animals housed on the property, each wild or exotic animal permitted to be kept on the premises, and photographs of individual animals, in addition to the owner's name, proof of residency, address, phone number and email address.
C.
The permit is nontransferable and subject to such conditions as are deemed necessary to ensure public safety and welfare and appropriate care of the animal(s). The permit shall authorize the applicant to keep only the animals identified in the application at the address listed in the application. Any permitted animal that dies or is sold or relocated out of the County shall not be replaced unless the permit is amended. Any additions, as a result of breeding of permitted animals or acquisition of additional wild or exotic animals, shall require an amendment to the permit. No animal may be moved to another location within the County without prior issuance of a permit for the new location.
D.
Each permit shall be in effect and valid through December 31 of the year of issue and shall be renewed by January 31 of each subsequent year. The initial fee to cover the cost of the permit issuance shall be $50 per address. A charge of $25 will be collected for annual permit renewal, the adding of additional animals to an existing permit, or the duplication of an existing permit. Permits for temporary exhibits shall be valid for the time period specified in the permit.
E.
The Chief Animal Control Officer has the authority to issue or deny a permit for wild or exotic animals. A decision by the Chief Animal Control officer to deny a permit or revoke it may be appealed to the County Administrator, or his or her designee.
F.
Any person who currently possesses within the County a wild or exotic animal in contravention of this article shall comply with this article, within 60 days from the date of the adoption of this article, or shall dispose of the animal by removal from the County in accordance with § 11-55. It shall be unlawful to release any wild, exotic and/or poisonous animal into the wild.
G.
No permit application fee for those currently in possession of a wild or exotic animal will be required for such applications submitted prior to January 20, 2026.
A.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any wild or exotic animal to keep any such animal in any manner that will not sufficiently confine the animal to prevent its escape or to allow such animal to run at large in the County. The owner of any wild or exotic animal found running at large shall be deemed to be in violation of this article. It shall be the duty of the animal control officer, or other officer who finds any wild or exotic animal running at large in violation of this article, to take such animal into custody or to destroy the animal if the animal control officer or other officer determines that destruction of the animal is necessary to protect public safety. The owner of any wild or exotic animal found running at large may be required to pay a fee to cover the county's actual cost in locating and capturing or otherwise disposing of the animal.
B.
Upon notice and an opportunity to be heard, any permit shall be subject to revocation by Chief Animal Control Officer, or his designee, for any of the following reasons:
A.
Any person who owns, or is in possession of, a wild or exotic animal not permitted in accordance with this article shall dispose of the animal from the county by giving or selling the animal to:
(1)
A zoological park or to a governmental entity authorized to hold such animals;
(3)
A veterinary clinic that is properly licensed by the federal government or the Commonwealth of Virginia; or
(4)
The Amelia County Animal Shelter if there is no other solution and the County has facilities in which the animal can be safely secured and cared for. The Chief Animal Control Officer is authorized to release the animal to a zoological park, to a governmental entity authorized to hold such animals or to euthanize the animal, if the circumstances warrant.
B.
If at any time it becomes necessary to impound or destroy a wild or exotic animal pursuant to this article, then the cost of such impoundment or destruction may be assessed against the owner or possessor of the wild or exotic animal.