Albuquerque, NM Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Albuquerque Animal Welfare (AACC)
- Penalty
- Petty misdemeanor, ROA § 1-1-99
- Breeding
- Also unlawful for exotic/wild animals
- Exempt
- AZA zoos, vets, sanctuaries, research/education
- Examples banned
- Big cats, wolves, bears, venomous snakes
Summary
Albuquerque bans owning, possessing, breeding, selling, or displaying Prohibited Exotic or Wild Animals, including big cats, wolves, bears, primates, large constrictors, and venomous snakes, anywhere in the city, with narrow exemptions for accredited zoos, vets, and sanctuaries.
(H) Prohibited Exotic or Wild Animals. (1) No person shall display, sell, offer for sale, barter, auction, give away, or otherwise dispose of Prohibited Exotic or Wild Animals. (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, keep, harbor, bring into the city, sell, have in one's possession, act as a custodian, or have custody or control of a Prohibited Exotic or Wild Animal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-95: Current through Ordinance 2026-010, passed 4-6-2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 9-2-4-4(H) makes it unlawful to own, possess, keep, harbor, bring into the city, sell, breed, or display a Prohibited Exotic or Wild Animal: any exotic or wild species unlawful to possess under state or federal law. The related definitions section, § 9-2-1-4, lists the covered families by name: lions, tigers and other big cats, wolves, bears, primates, elephants, crocodilians, constrictor snakes exceeding eight feet, and venomous species like cobras and rattlesnakes. Violators risk seizure by Albuquerque Animal Welfare (AACC) and misdemeanor prosecution. AZA-accredited zoos, licensed veterinary hospitals, wildlife sanctuaries, and accredited research or educational institutions are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Petty misdemeanor under ROA § 1-1-99; AACC officers may seize a Prohibited Exotic or Wild Animal, and the owner is liable for the city's costs of housing, care, or disposal of the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet wolf, big cat, or bear in Albuquerque?
What happens if animal control finds a banned exotic animal?
Are zoos or wildlife sanctuaries exempt from the ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albuquerque
Compare Albuquerque to another location·View the New Mexico animal ordinances overview
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