You cannot keep dangerous wild animals such as big cats, bears, wolves, primates, or venomous snakes. Washington's RCW 16.30.030 prohibits owning, possessing, breeding, or importing a potentially dangerous wild animal statewide, with limited grandfathered and institutional exemptions.
Exotic dangerous animals are governed by state law, RCW chapter 16.30, which applies in unincorporated Snohomish County. RCW 16.30.030 bars any person from owning, possessing, keeping, harboring, bringing into the state, or having custody of a potentially dangerous wild animal, and from breeding one. Covered animals include lions, tigers, cougars, jaguars, leopards, wolves (not wolf-hybrids), bears, hyenas, non-human primates, elephants, rhinoceroses, and various venomous or large constrictor reptiles. Someone who legally possessed such an animal before July 22, 2007 may keep it for the animal's life with proper records. Accredited zoos, sanctuaries, and WDFW-authorized institutions are exempt.
A violation of RCW 16.30.030 carries a civil penalty of not less than $200 and up to $2,000 per animal and per day the violation continues, plus seizure of the animal.
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Snohomish County, WA
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