South Carolina residents can’t privately own lions, tigers and bears as pets, but state law allows for ownership of some unusual animals, which aren’t usually domesticated, and exotic animals, which aren’t native to the area.
Legality of non-typical pets is a complicated topic in South Carolina. State law doesn’t have one list or section dedicated to animals people can and cannot own. Instead, there are several different articles restricting species ownership for different reasons, like rabies, safety and the protection of native wildlife.
The South Carolina Code of Laws prohibits purchasing or possessing large wild cats, non-native bears and great apes — though there are exceptions for certain nonprofit organizations, enforcement agencies, veterinary facilities, research facilities, circuses and agricultural license holders.
But for other carnivorous animals sometimes taken as pets, there’s an odd gap in the law. South Carolina prohibits the sale of carnivores “which are not normally domesticated,” like cats, dogs and ferrets, as pets. However, the law doesn’t ban the actual ownership of such animals.
Additionally, South Carolinians can’t privately own animals that appear on endangered species lists. The law also bans the ownership of lots of South Carolina species, like native amphibians and native reptiles, including turtles and alligators, without proper permits.
There are also dozens of animals state law requires a permit to own, import or transport, including:
Coyotes
Bears
Turkeys
Furbearers, including red and gray foxes, raccoons, opossums, muskrats, minks, skunks, otters, bobcats, weasels and beavers
Species in the Cervidae family, including deer, moose and elk
Non-domestic pigs in the Suidae family
Peccaries, pig-like animals in the Tayassuidae family
Species in the Bovidae family, like bison, mountain goats and mountain sheep
Fish, crustaceans, mollusks and other marine invertebrates non-native to South Carolina
On top of that, local governments may have their own regulations on animal ownership.
“There is definitely a patchwork at the state level and then again at the county and municipal level, there’s a number of other ordinances specific to those municipalities and counties that might prohibit specific animals in those jurisdictions,” said South Carolina Department of Natural Resources assistant chief of wildlife Will Dillman.
So, unless you live in a municipality where they’re banned, South Carolinians can own animals like kangaroos and sugar gliders and some people do. But just because ownership of an animal isn’t banned, doesn’t necessarily mean it will make a good pet.
Health experts warn that owning exotic pets in particular can pose health risks. The animals are vulnerable to rabies because there are no approved vaccines for exotic pets.
Additionally, because it’s not clear how long these species can carry the virus, a quarantine can’t be imposed after potential exposure, according to the former Department of Health and Environmental Services, which split into the Department of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Services in July.
If you do decide to own an unusual or exotic pet, it’s important to make sure the animal is properly and securely homed.
“In general, anytime people have non-native or exotic wildlife, if they obtain it legally, we would encourage them to be responsible owners and make sure that things are contained well, that they don’t get out, they don’t get released into the environment,” Dillman said.
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