Is it legal to keep wild or endangered animals as pets?

In the state of Washington, keeping wild or endangered animals, such as snakes, birds, or even primates, as pets is illegal. Washington is home to some of the most stringent animal rights laws in the United States, which prohibit the possession, import, export, sale, and transportation of wild and endangered animals. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife actively enforces laws that protect any species that is native to Washington, as well as species that are listed as endangered in the state or nationally, with either the Endangered Species Act or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Any animal listed on CITES is considered illegal to own or trade in the state of Washington without a special permit. Keeping wild or endangered animals as pets in Washington can result in citations or fines and in some cases, jail time. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives to keeping wild or endangered animals as pets. Washington has a variety of humane options, such as adopting a pet from a shelter, fostering a pet, or providing a home for a wild animal in need. These are all positive ways to help animals without breaking the law.

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