New York Environmental Conservation Law section 11-0512 prohibits the possession, sale, and transport of wild animals as pets statewide. The list includes big cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, skunks, bears, primates, venomous reptiles, and crocodilians. Colonie defers to ECL §11-0512 and has no separate local exotic-pet ordinance.
ECL section 11-0512 makes it unlawful to possess, sell, barter, transfer, or import any wild animal listed in the statute or its implementing regulation 6 NYCRR Part 180 as a pet. Listed animals include nonhuman primates, big cats (lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, etc.), wolves and wolf-hybrids, coyotes, foxes, skunks, raccoons, bears, venomous snakes, crocodilians (alligators, caimans, crocodiles), and several other genera deemed dangerous to humans, agriculture, or native wildlife. Limited exceptions exist for licensed zoos, accredited sanctuaries, wildlife rehabilitators with DEC permits, research institutions, and persons who already lawfully possessed a listed animal before the statute took effect and obtained a grandfathering permit from the DEC. The Town of Colonie does not maintain its own exotic-animal list; complaints and enforcement involve the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Region 4 office covers Albany County) working with Colonie Animal Control. Common reptiles, parrots, ferrets (legal in NY since 2006), pet rabbits, and similar species not listed in 11-0512 remain lawful subject to USDA and federal CITES rules.
ECL section 71-0925 makes a violation of 11-0512 a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine up to $1,000, plus separate civil penalties up to $500 per animal. The DEC may seize the animal at the owner's expense and place it with an accredited sanctuary or accredited zoo.
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