Jefferson County, MO Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

360 folds two rules into one provision. 023 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri and licensed through the county's Animal Control Division before an owner may lawfully possess one. Second, and separately, it flatly prohibits residents from owning, harboring or keeping raccoons, skunks, foxes, squirrels or any other wild animal native to Missouri, citing state and federal wildlife law as the basis for the ban. That second clause reaches ordinary backyard wildlife, not just exotic species: a resident who traps a nuisance raccoon and keeps it as a pet, rather than releasing or reporting it, is in the same position as someone keeping a state or federally regulated dangerous wild animal without registering it.

360 violations the same as any other Animal Control offense. 440, and an animal found in violation, an unregistered dangerous wild animal or unlawfully kept native wildlife, can be seized by the Animal Control Manager after a warrant is obtained. 340 that any confined animal receive adequate food, water and shelter regardless of species.