When exotic pets come into conversation, people probably think of Joe Exotic. But owning an exotic pet is much more complicated than celebrities owning tigers.
Exotic pet breeding can be found in most cities, including Topeka. Before trying out an exotic pet, owners should consider how the city regulates its ownership and what is allowed.
What is an exotic pet?
Jessica Bowers, Topeka's senior animal control officer, said the city's ordinance has a broad definition of exotic pets, allowing it to include animals that weren't already considered when the ordinance was written. Ta.
For clarity in this article, exotic pets are referred to as pets that are not cats or dogs.
What exotic pets are allowed?
Miniature pot-bellied pigs are allowed within city limits. Owners must install fencing up to 2 feet underground, pigs must be microchipped, a clear health certificate from a veterinarian is required, and pigs must be tagged.
Nonvenomous snakes less than 8 feet are also allowed.
Residents can own livestock as long as they comply with city requirements.
- Poultry/Poultry: Must be housed 50 feet from any structure other than the owner's home and housed in a fenced coop.
- goat, sheep, cow, llama: Must be kept and contained 200 feet from adjacent property lines.
- Horse: The first horse requires 3 acres of land, and additional horses require an additional 1.5 acres of land.
- pig is not allowed.
Amphibians such as frogs are allowed, as well as reptiles such as geckos. Ferrets, rabbits, and rodents are also allowed as pets within city limits.
All pet owners must follow hygiene requirements based on their pet type. This includes limiting unpleasant odors, ensuring animals are kept in appropriate housing to prevent them from escaping, and regularly cleaning areas where animals are allowed to roam to prevent disease. included.
What can't you do?
Residents are not allowed to keep venomous snakes of any size, snakes longer than 8 feet, snapping turtles, or monitor lizards.
Cassowaries, emus, ostriches and rheas are also prohibited by the ordinance.
Non-domesticated animals, such as large cats and owls, are prohibited as pets within city limits. This means Topeka residents cannot rescue and house squirrels or raccoons.
These types of animals are allowed under certain circumstances, such as in zoos or being a properly licensed animal professional.
How often are these rules violated?
Bowers, the animal control officer, said he hasn't seen many problems with exotic animals in his short tenure with the city.
“We don't get a lot of unusual calls,” Bowers said.
She said a problem often arises when people buy baby snakes at exotic pet shows without knowing how big they will grow.
“They sell stuff like that, so they’ll tell you how big it’s going to get,” Bowers said. “So before they buy anything from an exotic show, they should definitely do a lot of research and look at the ordinances and call to see if it's allowed. ”
Bowers said the strangest and most exotic calls Animal Control received were before she started her work. She said a colleague of hers told her a story about a monkey participating in a town parade.
Where can I find legal exotic pets?
Exotic pets can be found at many pet stores in town, including Petland, Petco, PetSmart, and Safari Pets. In these places you can find a variety of animal companions, including ferrets, birds, and snakes.
You can also find pets at exotic pet shows.
Kansas Department of Agriculture Public Affairs Director Heather Lansdowne said the agency typically approves four to five shows a year around Kansas. She said animals must pass USDA licensing and inspection before they can be exhibited in shows.
