Merced, CA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

The wild animal definition sweeps in snakes over 8 feet, crocodilians over 3 feet, most lizards over 3 feet, raptors not held under a federal or state permit, ratites like ostriches and emus, and virtually the entire carnivore order except domestic dogs and cats, expressly naming ocelots, margays, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars, wolves, dingos, coyotes, and jackals, plus marsupials, bats, sloths and anteaters, elephants, primates, and most hoofed animals (Sec. 010(AC)). Anyone keeping such an animal, or operating a kennel of more than five dogs or a cattery of more than five cats, must apply to the animal control manager for a permit, submit rabies certificates where applicable, and pay a fee that becomes delinquent 14 days after it is due, adding a late fee (Sec.

270(E)-(F)). The manager investigates the applicant's background and the premises and must issue the permit within 90 days unless the application is incomplete, contains false statements, or the location fails to meet zoning, health, or safety requirements (Sec. 270(G)-(H)). Permits carry conditions the manager deems necessary for public and animal safety, and holders must let the manager inspect the premises on request (Sec. 270(I), (N)). Exempted are people keeping wild animals solely for a state-sanctioned rehabilitation or education program and nonprofit shelters or humane societies (Sec. 270(C)(4)).