Reading Code Section 141-215 makes it unlawful to own, harbor, or permit at large any 'exotic animal' within the City without a permit from the Reading Animal Control Board. The City has expressly defined the category to capture non-domestic species — big cats, primates, bears, venomous reptiles, and similar wildlife. Statewide, the Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code at 34 Pa.C.S. Section 2961 et seq. and the Pennsylvania Game Commission's permit regulations at 58 Pa. Code Chapter 147 separately require exotic-wildlife possession permits.
Reading's local restriction is in Chapter 141 Part 2 of the Code of Ordinances. Section 141-215 (https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/readingpa/latest/reading_pa/0-0-0-6507) requires Animal Control Board approval before any 'exotic animal' may be kept in the City — the Board reviews each application for public-health and safety impact and may impose conditions on enclosure design, liability insurance, and limits on the number of animals. Pennsylvania state law layers a separate requirement on top. The Game and Wildlife Code at 34 Pa.C.S. Section 2961 et seq., implemented through 58 Pa. Code Chapter 147 (https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/058/chapter147/chap147toc.html&d=reduce), classifies certain species as 'exotic wildlife' — including lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, mountain lions, cougars, bears, wolves, hyenas, and venomous reptiles native to non-PA jurisdictions — and requires an Exotic Wildlife Possession Permit from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, including caging standards, prior-experience requirements, and a minimum two-year apprenticeship for large carnivores. Common household pets such as ferrets, parrots, non-venomous reptiles, rabbits, and most small mammals are not exotic under the state framework and do not need a Game Commission permit, though they remain subject to Reading's Animal Control Board permit review if they fall outside customary indoor companion animals. Anyone considering an unusual pet should call the Reading Property Maintenance Division (815 Washington Street) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission Southeast Region Office (610-926-3136) before purchase.
Possessing an exotic animal in Reading without an Animal Control Board permit is a Chapter 141 summary offense with fines of $100 to $1,000 plus abatement orders. Possessing exotic wildlife under 34 Pa.C.S. Section 2961 without a Game Commission permit is a separate summary or misdemeanor offense with fines up to $1,500 per animal and seizure by Wildlife Conservation Officers. Animals seized for public-safety reasons are placed with PGC-licensed wildlife sanctuaries at the owner's expense.
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