Montgomery, AL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Sec. " This sits in Chapter 4, Article I, General provisions, which also defines terms used across the animal-control chapter. Sec. 4-1 defines "wild animal" as "any animal that is not cultivated, tamed or adjusted to live in a human environment," a definition broad enough to sweep in exotic species like big cats, primates, venomous reptiles and non-domesticated birds that have not been permitted under a state or federal wildlife program. Because the exception runs only to state and federal permitting, a resident cannot rely on a city-issued permit to keep a wild animal, since no such city permit exists in this chapter; the only lawful path is a permit from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or a federal wildlife authority where the species and use qualify.

Violations of Chapter 4, Article I, which includes Sec. 4-11, fall under the escalating fine schedule in Sec. 4-2(a), and the animal itself remains subject to impoundment by an animal control officer under Sec. 4-42 whenever there is reasonable cause to believe a cruelty, at-large or possession violation exists. The ordinance was last codified by Ord. No. 15-2022 (May 3, 2022), the same comprehensive rewrite that restructured the entire animal chapter into its current four articles.