Pflugerville, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Dangerous wild animals banned
- Code section
- Pflugerville Code § 90.50
- Covers
- Big cats, bears, primates, hybrids
- Exceptions
- Zoos, government, permitted wildlife centers
- Enforcement
- Animal Welfare Services seizure
Summary
Keeping a lion, tiger, cougar, bear, monkey, wolf hybrid, or any other dangerous wild animal as a pet is a criminal offense in Pflugerville. Only zoos, government agencies, and permitted wildlife facilities are exempt.
(A) A person commits an offense if he possesses any dangerous wild animal within the city, with the following exceptions: (1) A governmental agency or entity performing a governmental function; (2) A zoological park; (3) A wildlife educational center that is also in possession of all necessary state and federal permits to possess the animal...; (4) A registered wildlife rehabilitator...; or (5) A zoological educational outreach display.... (B) A person commits an offense if he is aware of a wild animal being possessed in the city and fails to notify the department.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4904710; v24 updated 2026-05-26).
Full Breakdown
Pflugerville Code § 90.50 makes it an offense to possess any dangerous wild animal within city limits. The code defines these to include lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, bears, coyotes, jackals, baboons, chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, and any wild-animal hybrid, mirroring Texas Health and Safety Code § 822.101. Only governmental agencies, zoological parks, and permitted wildlife educational centers or registered rehabilitators qualify for exceptions. Animal Welfare Services may seize an animal kept in violation, may destroy one running at large that threatens a person's life, and will not return a seized animal unless the owner immediately removes it from the city. Even being aware of a wild animal in town and failing to notify the department is a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Possessing a dangerous wild animal is a misdemeanor offense. Animal Welfare Services can obtain a search warrant and seize the animal, destroy an at-large animal threatening a person's life, and refuse its return unless it is removed from Pflugerville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a monkey or big cat as a pet in Pflugerville?
Is there a permit for a private owner to keep one?
What happens if I am caught with one?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pflugerville
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Pflugerville to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Travis County handle exotic pets.