Upper Darby, PA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 222, "Cats and Wild Animals" (adopted January 16, 2002 under Ordinance No. 2915), defines WILD ANIMAL expansively in Section 222-39: "any living member of the animal kingdom, including those born or raised in captivity," excluding only human beings, domestic dogs (except wolf, coyote, or jackal hybrids), domestic cats (except ocelot or margay hybrids), farm animals, rodents, and captive-bred common caged birds. That sweep captures reptiles, big cats, primates, and most other exotics people might try to keep. Section 222-41's operative ban has two parts: Subsection A is an unqualified prohibition, "No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild animal as a pet," and Subsection B separately bars owning, possessing, or having custody of a wild or vicious animal for display, training, or exhibition purposes, gratuitous or paid.

The only carve-out in the article is for facilities accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA), which the section expressly exempts from both prohibitions. Subsection C gives enforcement officers discretion to release an infant wild animal held under a temporary permit if it is deemed capable of surviving on its own. Enforcement authority under Section 222-40 is broad, running through the Director of the Department of Health and any agent, including Upper Darby police officers, animal control officers, and code enforcement employees, giving the Township several separate enforcement paths rather than relying on one office.