Rowlett, TX Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Rowlett's Animal Code (Chapter 6) defines domestic animals to include livestock, caged or penned fowl (other than birds of prey) and normal household pets such as cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, cockatiels, parakeets, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, fish, or small non-poisonous reptiles, snakes or amphibians, distinguishing them from wild and exotic animals. For genuinely dangerous wild animals, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822, Subchapter E controls. Under that subchapter, an owner of a 'dangerous wild animal' (a category that includes animals such as lions, tigers, bears, and similar species) must register the animal with a local animal registration agency, pay a registration fee of $50 per animal up to $500 per applicant, maintain liability insurance, and meet caging standards set by state rule. The owner must notify the registration agency within 48 hours of any attack on a human and immediately report any escape to the agency and local law enforcement. Texas law also allows a municipality or county to prohibit or further regulate the possession of dangerous wild animals by ordinance. Separately, federal law (the Big Cat Public Safety Act, 2022) bars private ownership of big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards and cheetahs. Residents should confirm specific possession rules with Rowlett Animal Services before acquiring any exotic animal.