BEND, OR — Oregon’s exotic animal permit will undergo more than just a change in the New Year. As ordered by the legislature, the program is being phased out.
“After this coming January, that is January of 2011, no one in the state will be able to apply for and receive a new permit to hold an exotic animal in our exotic animal list,” said Oregon State Department of Agriculture Veterinarian Dr. Don Hansen. The list includes exotic canines, felines, non-human primates, specific bear species and members of the crocodile family. Hansen added that there will be no change for those who already have a permit for these animals.
“As long as that animal is alive, they will be able to permit it. Once that animal dies or they are obliged to sell it, that’s the end of the permit.”
The sunset of the exotic animal law will eventually remove all responsibility for permitting exotic animals from the ODA. Exhibitors, breeders and dealers can still get permits from the USDA. People who currently have these animals but are not permitted, and can prove they’ve owned the animal for the past year, have until January 1st to get an ODA permit.