Flint, MI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 9-14.4 of Chapter 9 makes it unlawful to keep, harbor, own, or possess within the City of Flint any warm-blooded, carnivorous or omnivorous, wild or exotic animal, dangerous or undomesticated animal not of a species customarily used as an ordinary household pet, that would ordinarily be confined in a zoo or found in the wilderness, or which otherwise causes a reasonable person to fear bodily harm or property damage. The ordinance specifically lists nonhuman primates, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and wild and exotic cats, while excluding fowl, ferrets, and small rodent species used for laboratory purposes. A separate clause in the same section prohibits any animal, warm- or cold-blooded, spider or insect, with poisonous bites, and any venomous cold-blooded reptile or other cold-blooded animal capable of inflicting fatal injury to the average human. The Michigan Large Carnivore Act (2000 PA 274, MCL 287.1101 to 287.1123) reinforces this by banning the possession, importation, and breeding of lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cougars, panthers, cheetahs, hybrids of those animals, and bears, with limited grandfathering for pre-July 2000 owners holding a permit. The Wolf-Dog Cross Act (1998 PA 246, MCL 287.1001 et seq.) imposes a similar prohibition on new wolf-dog crosses. USDA-licensed zoos, wildlife rehabilitators with MDNR permits, and accredited sanctuaries are the principal exceptions. Common reptiles, parrots, ferrets, and pet rabbits remain lawful in Flint subject to federal CITES and USDA rules.