Indianapolis, IN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration
- Required with animal care services
- Dangerous-animal cap
- 2 per owner
- Exempt
- Zoos, licensed kennels, vets
- Min. violation fine
- $100
Summary
Owning a wild or dangerous animal in Indianapolis requires registering it with animal care services first, and no one may keep more than two dangerous animals.
(a)It shall be unlawful for a person to own a wild animal or dangerous animal in the city without first having registered the animal with the animal care services agency under this article; however, this section shall not apply to zoological parks or bona fide circuses or carnivals.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to own more than two (2) dangerous animals at any time in the city. This subsection shall not apply to veterinarians and operators of kennels that are registered under Chapter 836 of this Code.(c)It shall be unlawful for any person to own any dangerous animal that is a dog in the city unless the dog has been spayed or neutered by a veterinarian and has been implanted with a microchip with a registered identification number. (G.O. 30, 1998, § 1; G.O. 169, 1999, § 3; G.O. 94, 2006, § 4; G.O. 86, 2008, § 5; G.O. 41, 2016, § 2; G.O. 37, 2024, § 1)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Indianapolis Code Sec. 531-502 makes it unlawful to own a wild animal or dangerous animal in the city without registering it with the animal care services agency, except for zoos and bona fide circuses or carnivals. No person may own more than two dangerous animals at a time (kennel operators registered under Chapter 836 and veterinarians are exempt). Any dangerous dog must be spayed/neutered and microchipped. The Code defines 'wild animal' to include Class III wild animals requiring a state DNR permit and venomous snakes, poisonous amphibians or large reptiles (Sec. 531-101).
Violations & Fines
Violations of Article V (Secs. 531-501 to 531-507) are punishable under Sec. 103-3 with fines of at least $100; unregistered dangerous/wild animal ownership can lead to seizure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own a venomous snake in Indianapolis?
How many dangerous animals can one person own?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indianapolis
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