Pet Monkey Legal States

Across the United States, there are varying laws regarding owning monkeys as pets. These regulations were born from consideration of both public safety and the welfare of these sometimes-misunderstood creatures. Monkeys are complex and demanding animals that require dedicated care, a reality many individuals underestimate as they are led by the allure of such exotic pets.

• The laws vary considerably across states: Some states allow unregulated ownership of monkeys as pets, others outright ban it, and a third category requires a permit.
• There does not seem to be a regional pattern in the legal restrictions for pet monkey ownership; the differences are found across all geographical areas of the U.S.
• The states allowing unregulated ownership of monkeys, those that require permits, and those that ban it are almost equal in number, indicating a nation divided in its approach to primate pet ownership.