[rgomez912]

Arkansas
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Code Book - Section 15.41 Native Wildlife Pets; also
Section 15.37 and 15.38 on Importation from another state
(they ban importation of foxes from 19 states: [Gray and red foxes that originate or have lived in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming or Canada.] ).
notes: no permit needed; one time $25 "importation permit" to bring in a fox from out of state. Arkansas also allows you to catch a fox in the wild to keep as a pet (section 15.41 A). Also, limit of 6 foxes per household

Illinois
Officer Roy Maul DNR.Lawreception@Illinois.gov
note: pay yearly fee of $25.50 for the "Fur-bearing Mammal Breeder Permit”. The permit does not allow a person to capture or take a live fox from the wild. You have to purchase the fox from another licensed breeder and you must keep and maintain records of the purchase, sale, and propagation of your foxes.

Indiana
I HIGHLY recommend Indiana as they are hardly regulated there. It's almost like owning a dog in that respect.

Iowa
2009 Iowa Code/Statutes(Code Chapters & Sections)/TITLE XI NATURAL RESOURCES/SUBTITLE 6 WILDLIFE
Steve.Dermand@dnr.iowa.gov
No permit needed. Only must keep the sales receipt from breeder and the health cert. in line with the Dept of Agriculture and their requirements.

Michigan
In Michigan, only NATIVE animals need DNR permits. This includes Red Foxes that are red in fur color (You do not need a DNR permit for a Red Fox that is Marble, Cross, Silver or ANY other color phase than red. Silvers, Marbles and Crosses ARE "Red" foxes though, just like how there are Yellow, Chocolate and Black Labradors, they are all Labradors) and you would need a permit for a Grey Fox. Fennecs are not native to Michigan.

Minnesota
note: " As long as you purchase the fox from a legal game farm and DO NOT take it from the wild, it is legal to own one. A person who owns a captive bred fox is required to maintain the receipt obtained when the animal was purchased. This is your proof that you did not take it from the wild" - Lori Naumann, DNR officer... lori.naumann@dnr.state.mn.us

Mississippi
http://home.mdwfp.com/PDF/Wildlife/3523.1.pdf (broken link)

Nebraska
Nebraska state law does not require a permit to keep them

Ohio
1531.02 "State ownership of wild animals" AND 1533.71 "License to raise or keep game birds and animals"
note: $25 a year "Noncommercial propagating license" for a "fur-bearing animal" like the fox "to hold the animals in captivity."

Oklahoma
Allowed

Rhode Island
Chapter 4-18 - Index of Sections

Virginia
foxes allowed
4 VAC 15-30-10 - Possession, importation, sale, etc., of wild animals. Under the authority of §§ 29.1-103 and 29.1-521 of the Code of Virginia it shall be unlawful to take, possess, import, cause to be imported, export, cause to be exported, buy, sell, offer for sale, or liberate within the Commonwealth any wild animal unless otherwise specifically permitted by law or regulation. Unless otherwise stated, for the purposes of identifying species regulated by the board, when both the scientific and common names are listed, the scientific reference to genus and species will take precedence over common names.
But it IS considered lawful to possess any animal that VA considers domestic. VA listed red fox under domestic races of animals.

Wisconsin
Donna.Leighton@Wisconsin.gov
note: for "native captive wild animals," which a red fox apparently would be, a Class B "Captive Wild Animal Farm License" $50 Initial Application/$25 Renewal is required. Also, the fox must be kept in a pen at all times that meets the minimum requirements as listed in the regulations pamphlet; the fox "may not be kept in any part of a building or home where people live unless receiving temporary health care.

Wyoming
You can own foxes in Wyoming and most other exotics. You can't own moose, deer, elk as pets.

[dreamhunter65]

most fox in captivity in Wisconsin are fox farms for pelts and some raise them for scent. I have known people with pet deer,bear,skunk and such also.
We had wild coon we had as pets but yes need permits if caged.

[SheridanPDC]

I live in WY and I know someone with a pet Bobcat (all legal & they have proper permits). They have had it for more then 10 years, since it was a kitten. I would love to have a fox someday, when I have the room, time, and money to give one a good home. One note on having a fox in WY, you cannot import red foxes, you must purchase one within the state or live capture one within the state. Here's detailed WY regulations for possesion of wildlife, for any interested: http://gf.state.wy.us/downloads/pdf/...ldlifeCH10.pdf

[foxywench]

i dont gree that domestic wildlife should be banned at all, i do think however there needs to be better regulations reguarding keeping these animals in captivity...
i DO agree that wild life do NOT make good pets.

also after working with foxes, i will say 100% wholheartedly they DO NOT make good pets, even if de-scented and spay/neutered reds and greys are smelly, into everything, incredibly mischevious, they will tear right through lino wood and tile flooring (same goes for skunks) and unlike domestic dogs they dont take to training very well...

fennecs make better pets than red and grey foxes but still not ideal.
i wouldnt suggest anyone keeping a fox as a pet unless you have lots of experience with them and their quirks.
even domestic raised foxes cannot be trusted with small animals.

like all exotics foxes require very specific diet, housing and care needs that MOST people simply dont have time and energy for, and once theyve been raised in captivity, unless your an experienced rehabber whos been specifically raising to release) the animals can never be truly returned to the wild and rehoming exotics is very tricky, zoos wont take them and sanctuaries are often full...

[ncguy444]

Originally Posted by mrs1885

For the most part I agree, but there are plenty non-domesticated pets in captivity already that would die if returned to the wild. I've got 3 land tortoises, all captive hatched, and all from rescues, thanks to people that thought it would be 'cool' to have a big tortoise in their yard. Little did they know the damage they can do, the extent of trouble you have to go to when housing them in the winter months, and the damage they can do to your ankles when they ram you to show you they care.

Instead of banning responsible people from owning a captive born exotic pet, there should be licensing in place to make sure you are aware of the needs of the pet you'd like to own, and annual fees that would go to education of the public and care of those that are given up for adoption.

As for true wildlife, people need to leave it the **** alone. Something that needs rehabbing should be done by experienced rehabbers with the ultimate goal of returning it to it's native habitat, never with the intent of keeping it as a pet. And no healthy animal should ever be taken from it's home to be kept in a cage by some moron that thinks it's cool to have something to show off to other morons.

Amen, great post

[dcisive]

I saw a hour long show featured on Animal Planet of a place in Russia that did extensive research into Foxes. They literally were able to breed the feistyness out of a lineage of silver foxes in 5 generations. They demonstrated the differences in generations as they want. It was amazing. By the time they got to the 5 generation they could be hand held, petted, and even expressed joy and love towards their owners. Just like a dog. they curled up on the couch and cuddled, licked and were very affectionate. I had NO idea this was even possible. They included some Canadian and American breeders that now do the same. Selling their kits as pets. Apparently these breeds of Silver Fox make ideal pets for those that are willing to make sure of their slightly specialized diets and vet care, which surprisingly isn't a ton different than dogs. They require the same types of inoculations as dogs but a slightly different formula. Fascinating indeed.

[california-jewel]

Originally Posted by foxywench

i agree with that...
i do alot of wildlife rehab, i specialize in vector, particularly red fox...

i could NEVER euthanize an otherwise healthy animal...
there ar emany reaosns an animal cannot be re-released, overbonding is a common one, even the best rehabbers can have trouble with some (bottle babies especially), another one common in birds of prey is wing injuries.
the best thing to do with an animal in cases like this is talk to local zoos (private collections ect) as these animals can make WONDERFULL animal ambasadors for edcuational programs.

belive me though, after having a 4 month old red fox kit with a broken back leg literally dig through a tile floor, rip out drywall and literally dig INTO concrete flooring, youd never want to keep a fox in your house LOL.
skunk are even worse, those feet are made for diggin, ripping and slashing lol.

Good to have your expertise, and information. Learned things i did not know about foxes. I was starting to think how exotic owning a fox, until i read your post, amazing the things i learn from great posters as you.

[CXKittyKatXD]

sooooo they are legal in indiana...?? i am sorta not smart and well do you need a permit... if so how much would it cost?

[faithword1]

Are foxes allowed in Kansas?! I see some states near us are allowed, but are we?

[snofarmer]

The Mn one is not correct.
A lot of cites will no allow it.
They are basically illegal in Minnesota - you need a permit, and it requires you to have 2 years of experience.

St. Paul Park – No person shall keep or allow to be kept in the city any non-domesticated animal or species which is wild by nature or disposition including, but not limited to: skunks, any large cat, wolves, foxes, coyotes, any poisonous snake, pit viper, or constrictor, and raccoon.

Stillwater – No person shall harbor, maintain or control any wild or dangerous animal within the city. Wild or dangerous animals include, but are not limited to: wolves, coyotes, foxes, hyenas, bears, lions, jaguars, tigers, cheetah, cougar, elephants, macaque monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees, cobras, adders, vipers, all venomous rear-fanged species, boa constrictor, anaconda, Indian and Rock python, etc.