Kansas prohibits private possession of dangerous regulated animals statewide under K.S.A. 32-1301 et seq. The ban covers big cats, bears, and non-native venomous snakes, with limited exemptions for accredited zoos, sanctuaries, research institutions, and USDA-licensed exhibitors.
The Kansas Dangerous Regulated Animals Act, K.S.A. 32-1301 through 32-1312, defines a dangerous regulated animal as any lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, cheetah, mountain lion, bear, hybrids of those species, or any non-native venomous snake. K.S.A. 32-1302 makes it unlawful to possess, sell, purchase, or otherwise acquire such animals. Exemptions exist for AZA or ZAA accredited zoos, registered wildlife sanctuaries, licensed research and medical institutions, USDA-licensed exhibitors with circuses and fairs, and qualifying veterinarians. Owners exempted from the ban must comply with caging standards in K.S.A. 32-1306 and register with local animal control. The statute applies uniformly across all Kansas jurisdictions.
Unlawful possession is a class B nonperson misdemeanor for first offense and class A nonperson misdemeanor for subsequent offenses; animals may be seized and forfeited.
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