Springfield, MO Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, possess, display or offer for sale any wild animal within the city. For the purpose of this section, the term "wild animals" shall include but not be limited to dangerous or exotic carnivorous animals and bats, nonhuman primates, dangerous or poisonous reptiles, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums and turtles, or any wild animal crossbred to domestic dogs or cats.(b)Exception. This section shall not apply to common carriers transporting wild animals for hire in the usual course of their business, or to wild animals kept for exhibition purposes by circuses, zoos, scientific or educational institutions, research laboratories or veterinary hospitals, in accordance with such regulations as may be established by the director of public health and welfare. (G.O. No. 5706, § 1, 8-27-2007)

Editor's note— G.O. No. 5706, § 1, adopted August 27, 2007, amended § 18-13 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Formerly, § 18-12 pertained to the possession, display or sale of dangerous snakes or reptiles, and derived from the Code of 1981, § 5-8.