Campbell County, KY Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)

40(B)(1) exempts a specific list of persons and organizations from that prohibition, including "state or federally licensed rescue societies" and "persons possessing state or federal commercial or noncommercial captive wildlife permits," alongside zoological parks, licensed transient animal exhibits, circuses, licensed veterinarians, licensed caregivers to wild animals, colleges, universities, high schools, elementary schools, research institutions, and owners of birds of prey in compliance with state and federal regulations. The county code doesn't create its own permitting scheme for wildlife rescue or rehabilitation work; it defers entirely to whatever license or permit the state (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources) or a federal agency has already issued, and simply recognizes that license as a defense to the county's own ban.

40(B)(2) lets a school or institution employee or student temporarily house a dangerous animal at a personal residence for job duties, but only with written certification of the need from a supervisor, department head, superintendent, or director of the school or institution responsible for the animal. This exemption structure means a wildlife rehabber operating in unincorporated Campbell County needs the underlying state or federal license first; the county ordinance offers no independent local rescue permit to fall back on.