Pet Fox Legal States

Interest in foxes as pets has grown exponentially through social media. But, according to World Animal Protection, “wild animals like foxes [...] are not pets and do not belong in human homes”. The ethical debate extends beyond individual welfare. Even foxes raised in captivity are not truly domesticated; they are simply docile wild animals.

Of the 50 US states, only Arkansas legally allows foxes as pets without the need for special permits, although with specific limitations (a maximum of 6 animals and suitable confinement conditions). 35 states prohibit foxes as pets. 14 states require special permissions.

The concept of "grandfathering" is guaranteed in some state legislations, like New York, which allows owners who owned fennec foxes under old licenses to keep their animals, but prohibits the acquisition of new ones.

Some states make distinctions between species. For example, Oklahoma only allows fennec foxes. distinguishes between foxes caught in the wild (prohibited) and domestically bred (allowed with restrictions). Arkansas allows the capture of native red and gray foxes with quantity restrictions. Since states may have different provisions for each species, we will present the most common ones below:

Fennec foxes, even if they are small and commonly kept, remain wild animals. Weighing around 2-3 pounds with oversized ears, this species lives 11-14 years in captivity. They cannot be reliably trained to live indoors, mark their territory throughout the house, and show little interest in human affection or physical contact. Costs range from US$2,500 to US$3,500 for the purchase alone.

Red foxes present the most significant challenges among commonly kept species. Weighing 7-15 pounds with lifespans up to 14 years in captivity, red foxes produce an extremely strong musky odor described as "cat pee but million times worse". They require large outdoor enclosures and become fearful of humans after 10 weeks of age even when hand-raised.

Artic foxes face similar challenges, plus heat sensitivity, requiring climate-controlled environments in warmer regions. Their dense winter coats and strong "skunky" odor, combined with territorial marking behaviors, make indoor living very challenging.

Silver foxes are the only partially successful domestication attempt through a Russian breeding program begun in 1959. But, the only truly domesticated foxes are available from Russia, which makes them difficult to acquire and expensive, costing up to US$10,000.

Canadian marble foxes are selectively bred color morphs of red foxes with distinctive marbled coat patterns, but retain all the behavioral challenges of their wild counterparts. Its acquisition cost can reach more than US$5,000.

Regardless of the species, keeping foxes as pets involves substantial costs and challenges that go far beyond legal issues. These animals require specialized diets, enriched environments, specialized veterinary care (often difficult to find or expensive), and owners with knowledge of wildlife behavior.

To better understand this restrictive panorama, a more detailed analysis of all 50 states reveals the following scenario:

Legal Status of Pet Foxes by State in the USA