Blaine, MN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Blaine's community standards material states that non-domesticated, wild animals are not permitted in the city, reinforcing that residents may keep customary domestic pets, not wild or exotic species. On top of the city's position, Minnesota Statute 346.155 controls the most dangerous exotics statewide. The statute makes it 'unlawful for a person to possess a regulated animal,' defining regulated animals to include large cats in the Felidae family (such as lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, ocelots, and servals, but not domestic cats), all bear species, and nonhuman primates (such as lemurs, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, marmosets, lorises, and tamarins), plus hybrids of these animals. The law bans breeding these animals after January 1, 2005, requires that anyone who lawfully possessed such an animal report it to local animal control with detailed inventory information, and mandates an ongoing program of annual veterinary care. Limited exemptions apply to accredited zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, licensed research institutions, and USDA-licensed exhibitors - not to ordinary households. So a Blaine resident cannot keep a big cat, bear, or primate, and the city additionally prohibits keeping wild animals generally. For any unusual species, confirm both the city's animal code and applicable state law before acquiring the animal.