Henry County, GA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 3-4-14
- Banned species
- Skunks, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, wolves, exotic cats
- Also banned
- Any wild-animal hybrid, other wild species
- Exception
- Licensed by state/federal dept of agriculture
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine and/or 60 days jail
Summary
Henry County bans owning, buying, selling, breeding or harboring a named list of wild and hybrid animals, from skunks and foxes to coyotes, wolves, hybrid wolves and exotic cats, unless the keeper holds a federal or state agriculture-department license for that species, under Sec. 3-4-14.
It shall be unlawful to purchase, sell, own, possess, harbor or breed skunks, foxes, prairie dogs, raccoons, coyotes, wolves, hybrid wolves, any hybrid animal that is part wild animal, exotic cats or any other native or nonnative wild animal unless licensed by the respective federal or state department of agriculture to possess such animal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
Sec. " The prohibition is broad by design: it covers every stage from purchase and possession through breeding, and it sweeps in "any other native or nonnative wild animal" beyond the named list, not just the enumerated species. The sole way to lawfully keep one of these animals is a license from the federal or Georgia Department of Agriculture. This sits alongside Sec. S. Department of Agriculture for enforcement, and Sec. 3-4-7(c), which authorizes any animal control officer to enter property to investigate a suspected violation and to seize an animal found in violation of the subchapter.
Violations & Fines
Purchasing, selling, owning, possessing, harboring or breeding a prohibited wild animal without the required federal or state license is punishable under Sec. 3-4-10 by a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment in the county jail for up to 60 days, or both, and an animal control officer may seize the animal under Sec. 3-4-7(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you legally keep a fox or raccoon as a pet in Henry County?
What wild animals does Henry County explicitly ban as pets?
What is the penalty for keeping a prohibited wild animal in Henry County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Henry County
Compare Henry County to another location·View the Georgia animal ordinances overview
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