Calvert County, MD Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

In Chapter 7's definitions section, § 7-1-201 defines an exotic animal as one introduced from another country and not indigenous to Maryland, and a wild animal as one that is not domesticated, cannot be fully domesticated, or requires force or skill to keep under control, expressly including hybrids of a wild animal and a domesticated animal and naming raccoon, opossum, fox, squirrel and wild rabbits as examples. Under § 7-2-103, Calvert County law enforcement officers and Animal Control Officers working in the county are authorized to impound a wild or exotic animal that is being kept in violation of the chapter, separate from the general at-large impoundment authority that applies to dogs and cats.

Once impounded, § 7-8-102(C) sets the redemption standard: Animal Services will only release a wild or exotic animal back to its owner if the owner has obtained the required State and Federal permits needed to legally possess that animal, or if the owner instead demonstrates a definite intention to remove the animal from Calvert County immediately. That redemption condition can be appealed to the Animal Matters Hearing Board within 14 business days under § 7-8-102(G), and the Board can uphold, amend, waive or add conditions after a hearing.

Separately, § 7-8-205(B)(2) bars Animal Services from making a wild or exotic animal available for adoption, unlike most other impounded animals. Concealing a wild or exotic animal from an Animal Control Officer, or falsely denying ownership of one, is itself a separate offense under § 7-2-201(B).