West Allis, WI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- Any live wild animal banned
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 forfeiture
- Exception
- AZA-accredited zoo agents
- Exception
- Federal permit holders
- Transit exception
- Up to 24 hours, confined
Summary
West Allis bans owning, keeping, or selling any live wild animal citywide, with narrow exceptions for accredited zoos, licensed vets, licensed research or educational institutions, and animals that cannot survive outside water.
Keeping of Wild Animals. Prohibition. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. 169.43, no person may own, possess, keep, harbor, sell, or have custody or control of a live wild animal except as allowed below. Any person who violates this provision shall pay a forfeiture of not more than $1,000.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: ?).
Full Breakdown
WAMC § 7.21's Keeping of Wild Animals provision, adopted under Wis. Stat. § 169.43, bars anyone in West Allis from owning, possessing, keeping, harboring, selling, or controlling a live wild animal. Narrow exceptions cover animals that cannot survive outside water, agents of AZA-accredited zoos, licensed veterinarians, licensed circuses or accredited research and educational institutions, government-facility agents, and holders of a valid federal permit for a specific animal; a wild animal may also be transported through the city for up to 24 hours if securely confined. There is no local exotic-pet permit process - possession outside these exceptions is simply prohibited.
Violations & Fines
Owning, keeping, or selling a wild animal outside the listed exceptions draws a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 per violation under WAMC § 7.21.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic pet like a snake or big cat in West Allis?
Is there a fine for keeping a banned wild animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Allis
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Milwaukee County handle exotic pets.