Harnett County, NC Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

12(A) makes it unlawful at any time for any person, firm, partnership, or corporation to harbor, keep, shelter, lodge, feed, or take care of an inherently dangerous wild or exotic animal within Harnett County. The code defines the banned category broadly: all felines other than domesticated house cats, nonhuman primates, bears, wolves, coyotes, and poisonous, crushing, or giant reptiles, plus any crossbreed sharing those characteristics. Division (B) carves out five exceptions: veterinary clinics and state- or federally licensed wildlife rehabilitators treating the animal; educational 501(c)(3) science and nature organizations with government funding, public membership, and an elected board; non-resident circuses or carnivals present no more than one seven-day period per location per calendar year; and anyone transporting the animal through the county for no more than 24 hours.

12(C). The owner is notified as soon as possible and has three days to arrange a safe transfer of the animal outside the county to reclaim it; if safe housing or impoundment isn't possible, or if no one claims the animal within three days, Animal Services may adopt out or euthanize it at its discretion. All impoundment and care costs are billed to the owner regardless of whether the animal is reclaimed, and those costs must be paid in full before an animal is returned.