Its almost funny

[Denial]

Not sure how many people put there have ever tried to find out what exactly there local laws were concerning to exotic animals. But I have been on the phone for two weeks now trying to find out mine. And noone has a clue! I have found out threw the department of natural resources and the fish and game headquarters in atlanta that the state of south carolina does not govern big cats and as long as I was not importing one into the state from overseas it is perfectly legal to get one shipped in from another breeder in another state. But I still need to find out my local regulations concerning big cats. I need to find my city and county. Ive called everyone I could possibly think of and im still waiting to hear back from the clerk of county council and im hoping she can be of some help. I spoke to a man at the department of agriculture and he said he was almost 100 percent positive that there were no regulations where I live because im in laurens county and gray court city and im far from the city limits out in the country. But I still need something on paper to cover my butt. But I will tell you its a big headache trying to find someone that knows anything. I was redirected at the department of natural resources 5 times before they told me cats were legal in south carolina. But yet they didnt know anything about county regulations. I was also referred to usda but they get very ill if you speak to the wrong department so if you ever have to call them make sure your calling the right department. This whole thing has made me think about the new laws trying to be passed and I cant but wonder if anyone would know about them? Well Im off to call the clerk of county again so wish me luck!

[Denial]

Just found it is illegal to own any furbearing exotic animals in greenville county south carolina unless you have a permit issued by the department of natural resources b ut greenville county no longer issues permits for exotic pets. Now I just need to find out for laurens county

[mainbutter]

My only advice is to find a local lawyer! No one else knows the lawbooks, as they are too damn complicated and huge.

..And supposedly "ignorance is no excuse" when it comes to breaking the law. lol.

[Denial]

Just found out there are no ordinaces in my county against keeping any exotic animals as pets

[j_h_smith]

I too would recommend the use of a lawyer. Although you've heard from some clerk that there are no restrictions in your county, but I bet if someone complains about your new "kitty", someone in the county will find some lame excuse for a law that will put you in violation of that stupid law. Thus, costing you thousands of dollars in fines or fees or lawyers fees, if you want to fight.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[dc4teg]

Well 2 or 3 years ago, some dude in Newberry County had a tiger that was neglected and on the radio it said that SC did not allow to keep large cat species... but I am not 100% sure. Contact a lawyer..... they might help

[mainbutter]

Just found out there are no ordinaces in my county against keeping any exotic animals as pets

awesome

[Denial]

Well 2 or 3 years ago, some dude in Newberry County had a tiger that was neglected and on the radio it said that SC did not allow to keep large cat species... but I am not 100% sure. Contact a lawyer..... they might help

are you sure it wasnt the man with the lion>? The guy with the lion got into trouble becuase he was not feeding the animal properly and walking it around town asking for donations. My grandfather pulled him over on mainstreet with it in the back of his car and told him it was not allowed within city limits anymore. The laws are different with exotic cats. If its a big cat there are more extensive laws considering they are now on the lacey act. Canadian lynx and african servals are not considered big cats. I would however need a permit if I wanted a bobcat because there indiginous to my state. My mother is a paralegal and works for a lawer and ive helped her out with moving before so im sure I can go talk to her and see what she has to say about it. But there was also a man that got his tiger taken from him in travelers rest and my vet that I take my snakes to had to house it in his kennels at the vet office while the guy built a proper enclosure because he had it tied to a tree with a dog chain. South carolina as a state does not govern any cats. It all depends on your local county and city laws. You can own a tiger or liion or other big cat in south carolina but you have to find a breeder in the state to purchase it. You can not ship a large cat into the state unless you and the seller shipping are both usda certified. Smaller cats such as lynx,bobs,servals,caracals and such do not apply to that law as they are not on the lacy act with the other cats

[Southernshooter]

Yea the laws can be amusing sometimes, Especially Ms's laws regarding native hots, You can keep up to 20 native hot snakes here with up to 4 of each species as long as you have a valid hunting license. But you don't even need a hunting license for imported hots

[dc4teg]

are you sure it wasnt the man with the lion>? The guy with the lion got into trouble becuase he was not feeding the animal properly and walking it around town asking for donations. My grandfather pulled him over on mainstreet with it in the back of his car and told him it was not allowed within city limits anymore. The laws are different with exotic cats. If its a big cat there are more extensive laws considering they are now on the lacey act. Canadian lynx and african servals are not considered big cats. I would however need a permit if I wanted a bobcat because there indiginous to my state. My mother is a paralegal and works for a lawer and ive helped her out with moving before so im sure I can go talk to her and see what she has to say about it. But there was also a man that got his tiger taken from him in travelers rest and my vet that I take my snakes to had to house it in his kennels at the vet office while the guy built a proper enclosure because he had it tied to a tree with a dog chain. South carolina as a state does not govern any cats. It all depends on your local county and city laws. You can own a tiger or liion or other big cat in south carolina but you have to find a breeder in the state to purchase it. You can not ship a large cat into the state unless you and the seller shipping are both usda certified. Smaller cats such as lynx,bobs,servals,caracals and such do not apply to that law as they are not on the lacy act with the other cats

i guess thats what it was, i dont remember that much