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Abilene, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Weight cutoff
Wild animals over 40 lbs mature weight banned
Also banned
Venomous reptiles, amphibians, high-risk rabies carriers
Exceptions
Zoos, vets, circuses under 30 days per year
Restraint duty
Lawfully kept wild animals must be restrained always
Enforcing agency
Abilene Animal Outreach

Summary

Abilene prohibits harboring high-risk rabies carriers, venomous reptiles and amphibians, any wild animal over 40 pounds at maturity, or any state-defined 'dangerous wild animal' inside city limits. A dozen narrow exceptions cover zoos, licensed veterinarians, research facilities, and traveling circuses under 30 days, but an ordinary resident can't legally keep one as a pet.

(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to harbor or maintain within the City limits the following animals:(1)All high risk rabies carriers, as defined in state law, including bats, skunks, coyotes, raccoons, and foxes;(2)Venomous reptiles and amphibians;(3)Any wild animal whose normal mature weight exceeds forty (40) pounds; or(4)Any "dangerous wild animal" as defined in the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended. ... It shall be the duty of each owner of a wild animal in the City to keep the same under restraint at all times.

Source: Abilene Code of OrdinancesView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 14).

Full Breakdown

Sec. ' The same section separately bans selling, trading, or giving away a prohibited animal to anyone in the City for use as a pet, except to a narrow list of twelve categories: government agencies, USDA-licensed research facilities, zoos, transport of an injured or orphaned animal for care, licensed veterinarians and incorporated humane societies, state-permitted wildlife rehabilitators, transient circus companies, film and television productions with temporary custody during filming, colleges keeping a mascot, interstate transport compliant with the federal Animal Welfare Act, licensed primate dealers supplying biomedical research, species-survival-plan participants, and animals exhibited at a special event with written City permission.

Sec. 6-8 carves out three further exceptions to the keeping ban itself: nonprofit or government-run zoos, traveling circuses or rodeos that stay under 30 days a year, and licensed veterinary hospitals and clinics treating the animals. For any wild animal that is lawfully kept, Sec. ' Abilene Animal Outreach enforces the chapter and may cite an owner to Municipal Court or impound a prohibited animal outright under the general Chapter 6 violation procedures.

Violations & Fines

Harboring a prohibited high-risk rabies carrier, venomous reptile, oversized wild animal, or dangerous wild animal is a citable offense under Chapter 6's general violation procedure: Abilene Animal Outreach can issue a citation for a Municipal Court appearance or impound the animal outright if the owner can't be identified. Fines run up to $500 per Sec. 1-9's general penalty, with each day of continued possession a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep a pet raccoon or fox in Abilene?
No. Sec. 6-7 names raccoons, foxes, skunks, coyotes, and bats specifically as 'high risk rabies carriers' that can't be harbored or maintained anywhere in the City, with no residential exception. The only people who can legally possess them are government agencies, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, and a short list of similarly narrow categories.
What counts as a 'wild animal' too big to keep?
Sec. 6-7(a)(3) bans any wild animal whose normal mature weight exceeds forty pounds, regardless of species, plus anything meeting the state's 'dangerous wild animal' definition under the Texas Health and Safety Code. That sweeps in most exotic cats, primates, and large reptiles, on top of the separate venomous-reptile and rabies-carrier bans.
Are there any legal exceptions to the exotic pet ban?
Yes, but they're narrow. Sec. 6-8 exempts nonprofit or government zoos, traveling circuses or rodeos in town fewer than 30 days a year, and licensed veterinary hospitals treating the animals. Sec. 6-7(b) adds research facilities, wildlife rehabilitators, film productions, and college mascots, but none of these cover an ordinary resident wanting an exotic pet.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Abilene

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All Abilene rules

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