Exotic animals are animals that are not native to or do not migrate through the area in which they are kept. This does not necessarily mean that the animal is not from the country or that it is an import animal, but rather the species does not originate from that specific location. Alligators and crocodiles are common in Florida but they are considered exotic pets in Kansas. Kansas has exotic animal pet laws in place to protect these exotic pets, the local ecosystem and the society in which the pet exists.
Kansas Administrative Regulation 115-20-3
The Kansas administration regulation 115-20-3 states that anyone can own an exotic pet provided the pet has been acquired in a legal manner. This means that the pet had to be sold to the owner, rather than the owner removing the exotic pet from his natural environment. This also means that animals acquired through exotic animal black market movements is considered illegal. The exotic pet owner may be required to prove the legal acquisition of the exotic pet.
Kansas Administrative Regulation 115-20-4
Kansas administration regulation 115-20-4 states that a Kansas citizen must apply for an exotic pet permit when acquiring a mountain lion, bear or wolf. This permit includes the owner's name, number, address and proof of legal acquisition of the pet. In addition the permit will include the number of animals owned and the reason for owning the animals. If there is a change in ownership status due to acquisition of additional pets, selling of an exotic pet or the death of a pet, the state must be notified within five days of occurrence.
Import Regulations
All imported exotic pets must be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days. During this time period the animal must be tested for commutable diseases and must have a health certificate before entering the general population of animals or being released to the owner. This is done to prevent the spread of diseases that the exotic animal may have an immunity to but that may cause havoc in the native population.
Containment
All exotic pets should be handled in a manner that maintains the captivity of the exotic pet. The introduction of a predatory animal to a new ecosystem may cause serious damage to the native ecosystem. A release of more than one exotic pet can cause the beginning of an invasive species epidemic and destroy delicate ecosystem of any location. At no point should the exotic pet be released into the wild.
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Writing since childhood for fun, Sarah Arnette has been writing professionally since 2008. She enjoys using the research knowledge gained through Penn-State college and Villa Maria Academy to write articles. She currently writes for Demand Studios and Hubpages, with creative works, which are a great joy for her, on other websites.