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

Article VIII defines a 'dangerous exotic animal' broadly under Sec. 6-201 as any animal not native to North Carolina, ordinarily confined to a zoo, without an established wild population in the state, not regulated by the state wildlife commission, or likely to make a reasonable person fear property destruction or bodily harm, expressly naming non-human primates, ocelots, wolves, wolf hybrids and venomous reptiles. The ordinance separately defines 'inherently dangerous exotic mammals' (Canidae, Felidae, Ursidae, Elephantidae and primates not customarily domesticated) and 'inherently dangerous reptiles' (venomous species including vipers, cobras and coral snakes, constrictors over eight feet, crocodilians, and Komodo dragons).

Sec. 6-202 states flatly that a person may not harbor any of these animals at any time, and 'harborer' is defined to include anyone who allows the animal to lodge, be fed or take shelter on property they control, not just the owner. Sec. 6-203 carves out three narrow exceptions: veterinary clinics treating or rehabilitating the animals, nonresident circuses for up to one seven-day stand per location per year, and persons transporting the animals through the county for no more than 24 hours. Violating animals may be impounded by animal services for the animal's or the public's protection under Sec.

6-204, held three business days for the owner to arrange a safe transfer out of the county, or immediately destroyed if safe housing cannot be found.