Missouri Dangerous Wild Animal Registration Law

Under RSMo 578.023, no person may keep a lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, mountain lion, lynx, bobcat, hyena, wolf, bear, nonhuman primate, coyote, or any deadly or dangerous reptile over eight feet long unless registered with the local sheriff or housed in a zoo, circus, research facility, veterinary hospital, or sanctuary. The Missouri Large Carnivore Act (RSMo 578.600 et seq.) further requires Department of Agriculture permits for nonnative big cats and bears acquired after January 1, 2012, with caging, insurance, and microchipping standards that apply statewide regardless of local rules.

Keeping an unregistered dangerous wild animal is a class C misdemeanor under RSMo 578.023; Large Carnivore Act violations carry permit revocation and civil penalties.