Michigan Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Division
Permits to Hold
Wildlife in Captivity
Information Circular 1350-1, Revised
Applicants must read
and retain this document for future reference.
These rules and regulations pertain to the completion of Department of
Natural Resources (DNR or Department) form PR 1350, Application and Permit to
Hold Wildlife in Captivity (formerly Game Breeder’s License). The following rules and regulations are
authorized by the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451,
PA of 1994, Part 427, Breeders and Dealers, and Part 401, Wildlife
Conservation. Questions should be
directed to the DNR, Wildlife Division, Permit
Specialist at 517-373-9329.
Permits to Hold
Wildlife in Captivity authorize the possession of animals reared in
captivity only. They do not authorize
the possession of animals taken from the wild.
Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators can possess injured or orphaned
animals from the wild. For more information
regarding Wildlife Rehabilitation Permits contact the DNR, Law Enforcement
Division at 517-373-1230.
It is not legal
to import into
Applicants should
contact their local unit of government and confirm that there are no
restrictions on the possession of certain animals prior to applying for a
permit. A Permit to Hold Wildlife in
Captivity does not provide any authorization to circumvent any Federal, State,
local zoning, or any other local laws and ordinances. It is the applicant/permittee’s
responsibility to know and comply with Federal, State, and local laws.
Species
Covered
A Permit to Hold
Wildlife in Captivity is required to possess, propagate, sell, transport, or
make any other commercial or personal use of live animals defined as game or
protected in
A Permit to Hold
Wildlife in Captivity is required for the possession of the following game and
protected animals: badger, beaver,
bobcat, bobwhite quail, brant, common moorhen, coot, coyote, crow, fisher,
hare, Hungarian partridge, mink, muskrat, opossum, otter, rabbit, raccoon, skunk,
snipe, sora rail, squirrel, weasel, wild turkey, woodchuck, woodcock, Virginia
rail, and all other native wild species of birds not defined as game.
A Permit to Hold
Wildlife in Captivity is also required for the possession of the species listed
within the following groups: ducks (all North American species except properly
marked mallards), fox (red and gray), geese (all North American species), pheasants (ring-necked,
Deer
Species
The possession of all deer species, including
white-tailed deer, elk, moose, reindeer, and all other exotic deer, is
regulated under a separate registration process. For more information, please contact: Special Projects Coordinator, DNR, Wildlife
Division,
Black
Bears
The Large Carnivore
Act, Act Number 274, Public Acts of 2000 was passed with an effective date of
Act 274 is met. Persons currently possessing black bears
under a Permit to Hold Wildlife in Captivity will be allowed to renew their
permit as needed, and keep any bears held for the life of those animals
only. Such possession must be in
compliance with all current DNR regulations and Act 274. Act 274 includes restrictions, in addition to
DNR requirements, on persons legally possessing black bears prior to
Permit
Exemptions
The following are
exempt from the requirement of obtaining a Permit to Hold Wildlife in
Captivity:
1)
Public
zoological parks.
2)
Licensed
falconers for raptors possessed under the authority of a State/Federal falconry
permit.
3)
Licensed
game bird hunting preserve operators for game birds possessed under the
authority of a Game Bird Hunting Preserve License.
4)
People
possessing 12 or fewer pheasants, bobwhite quail, or Hungarian partridge for
personal use or dog training, provided the birds are not propagated or
sold. Proof of purchase should be retained
as permission to possess.
5)
People
possessing more than 12 pheasants, bobwhite quail, or Hungarian partridge under
the authority of a Game Bird Release Permit.
6)
Field
dog trial permittees for the possession of game birds authorized under that
permit.
Legal
Acquisition Requirement
Permits to Hold
Wildlife in Captivity authorize the possession of animals reared in captivity
only. They do not authorize the
possession of animals taken from the wild.
All wildlife held in captivity shall have been secured in a lawful
manner. As evidence of such legal
acquisition, the receipted invoice, bill of lading, official shipping tag, or
other satisfactory evidence shall be presented for inspection upon request by
any Conservation or Law Enforcement Officer.
Injured
or Orphaned Wildlife
A Permit to Hold
Wildlife in Captivity does not authorize the possession of injured or orphaned
animals from the wild. Only a licensed
wildlife rehabilitator can care for or possess injured or orphaned animals from
the wild. For more information please contact: Wildlife Rehabilitation Coordinator, DNR, Law
Enforcement Division,
Endangered
Species
A Permit to Hold
Wildlife in Captivity does not authorize the possession of threatened or
endangered species. Threatened or endangered
species include, but are not limited to: cougar, gray wolf, lynx, and trumpeter
swans. It is unlawful to possess,
transport, buy, sell, import, or export threatened or endangered species unless
under the authority of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act,
Public Act 451 of 1994, Part 365, Endangered Species Protection. For more information, please contact:
Endangered Species Coordinator, DNR, Wildlife Division,
Steps
Involved in Obtaining and Maintaining a New Permit
1)
Read
this circular in its entirety. If you
have questions, contact the Permit Specialist (517-373-9329).
2)
Build,
purchase, or acquire your cage, pen, or enclosure. You must possess holding facilities which
meet or exceed the minimum enclosure specifications and amenities stated in
this circular for each species to be acquired before submitting your
application. You must possess an
approved permit before acquiring
animals per step seven below. You must
own or lease the land on which the animals are to be held. Do not contact your local Conservation
Officer or other local Department personnel to arrange an inspection of your
facilities. The Department may or may
not arrange an inspection per Inspections
on page six.
3)
Complete
the application. Application for a
Permit to Hold Wildlife in Captivity must be made on form PR 1350, which is
prepared and furnished by the DNR. The
application must be completed in accordance with the instructions on the form,
including specifically listing each species to be possessed. The Department is responsible for keeping
records pertaining to permittee's current inventory of live animals. Therefore, it is important that an accurate
starting number be reported on initial permit applications. The application asks for the number of
animals as of the application date. New
applicants should not yet have obtained animals,
therefore, the number of animals they list on the application should be zero. After permit approval, new applicants must
report their initial acquisition of animals and any subsequent additions to, or
subtractions from, their inventory on a Monthly Inventory Report in accordance
with the instructions on that form per step eight below.
4)
If, for
whatever reason, a new applicant has obtained animals before obtaining an
approved permit, the species and number of animals possessed as of the
application date should be reported on the application. A letter explaining, in detail, the
circumstances upon which the animals were obtained, including the name and
address of the person from whom the animals were obtained, must be attached to
the application.
5)
Attach to
the completed application, the fee (per instructions on application form and Application Fee on page five), and, if
necessary, any other attachments. Mail
as instructed on the application form.
6)
Allow 45
days to receive your approved permit.
Depending on the species listed on your application and other
circumstances, longer delays may occur; see Inspections
on page six.
7)
After
receiving your approved permit, you may acquire the species listed on the
permit. Permits are not
transferable. The purchaser of any
licensed premises must have their own permit, if they plan to continue to hold
wildlife in captivity. A separate permit
is required for each location, even when owned and operated by the same person
or firm.
8)
When you
receive your approved permit, you will also receive one Monthly Inventory
Report form and one Supply Order form.
Submit the Monthly Inventory Report indicating your initial acquisition
of animals. If necessary, submit the
Supply Order form to acquire more Monthly Inventory Report forms and Official
Shipping Tags. Additional Monthly
Inventory Reports must be completed and submitted in accordance with the
instructions on the form and Monthly Inventory
Reports on page eight.
9)
If any
animals, living or dead, or parts of any animals, are removed from the licensed
premises, Official Shipping Tags must be used in accordance with the
instructions on the tag and Official
Shipping Tags on page eight.
10)
If you
wish to add other species, or if you expect any other changes to any of the
information on your permit, you must submit an amended permit application in
accordance with the instructions on the form and Amending Your Permit on page four.
11)
You will
receive renewal information prior to the expiration of your permit. If you wish to renew your permit, you must do
so in accordance with the instructions on the form and Renewing Your Permit starting on page four.
Your
Signature on the Application
The applicant's
signature on the application certifies that the applicant/permittee:
1)
Has read
and understands the regulations within this circular, and on the application
form, and agrees to abide by those regulations including submitting Monthly
Inventory Reports as required.
2)
Has not
falsified any information on the application.
3)
Has
enclosures which meet or exceed the minimum size and required amenities for the
species listed on the permit.
4)
Understands
that his/her facilities and records are subject to inspection by Department
personnel at any reasonable time.
5)
Understands
that this permit does not provide any authorization to circumvent any
Federal, State, local zoning, or any other local laws and ordinances.
6)
Understands
it is his/her responsibility to know and comply with Federal, State and local
laws.
7)
Owns or
leases the property on which animals listed on the permit will be held.
8)
Understands
that failure to comply with all permit regulations may result in the revocation
of this permit, fine, and/or imprisonment.
9)
Hereby
releases, waives, discharges and covenants not to sue the State of Michigan,
its departments, officers, employees and agents, from any and all liability to
Permittee, its officers, employees and agents, for all losses, injury, death or
damage, and any claims or demands thereto, on account of injury to person or
property, or resulting in death of Permittee, its officers, employees or
agents, in reference to the activities authorized by this permit.
10)
Hereby
covenants and agrees to indemnify and save harmless, the State of Michigan, its
departments, officers, employees and agents, from any and all claims and
demands, for all loss, injury, death or damage, that any person or entity may
have or make, in any manner, arising out of any occurrence related to (1)
issuance of this permit;
(2) the activities authorized by this permit;
and (3) the use or occupancy of the premises which are the subject of this
permit by the permittee, its employees, contractors, or its authorized
representatives.
Amending
Your Permit
If you have, or expect
to have, any change to any of the information on your current approved permit
(other than number of animals), you must obtain an approved amended
permit. If an amended permit is
required, contact the Permit Specialist (517-373-9329). Amended permit applications must be completed
in accordance with the instructions on the form, which includes indicating
“Amended” and your permit number.
The application must be signed and filled out completely, including all
current information. The expiration date
does not change when amending a permit.
There is no charge for amending a permit. Amended permit applications must be mailed
to: Permit Specialist, DNR, Wildlife
Division,
Adding Species
Applicants wishing
to add species which are not listed on their permit must construct holding
facilities which meet or exceed the minimum enclosure specifications and
amenities stated in this circular for each species to be added before
submitting an amended application. When
the amended application is approved, it will become the applicant's new
permit. Therefore, the applicant must
list the species currently possessed plus the species to be added. The applicant should not list only the
species to be added. The application
asks for the number of animals as of the application date, therefore, the
number zero should be listed for the new species to be acquired. The approved amended permit must be obtained before
the new species are acquired. The
acquisition of the new species and the number of animals acquired must be
reported on a Monthly Inventory Report. For
species which are currently listed on a permit, additional animals may be
acquired without amending the permit provided a Monthly Inventory Report is
submitted indicating the number of additional animals and the total number of
animals does not exceed the minimum space requirements for that species.
Exception for Ducks
Permittees
possessing ducks are not required to amend their permit prior to acquiring a
type of duck not listed on their permit.
Likewise, you may sell duck species to individuals who have permits
listing ducks, even if the species being sold is not specifically listed on the
buyer’s permit. For example, if your
permit lists only wood ducks and pintails, and you have the opportunity to
acquire a canvasback, you may acquire that canvasback without amending your
permit to include canvasbacks. This exception
to the requirements for amending permits pertains only to transactions
involving duck species; it does not pertain to swans, geese, or any species
other than ducks. A Monthly Inventory
Report is required any time you have an addition to,
or subtraction from, your live animal inventory. Your inventory report must specify the species,
number of ducks involved in the transaction, and include the starting and
ending balance of live animals held.
Your duck numbers may not exceed the space requirements indicated within
this circular. When it is time to renew
your permit, you must list all species and animal numbers currently held.
Renewing
Your Permit
Permits are valid
from the date of issue to the third June 30 after issue. For example, a permit issued
Do not
contact your local Conservation Officer or other local Department personnel to
arrange an inspection of your facilities.
The Department may or may not arrange an inspection per Inspections on page six. Attach a check or money order for the correct
fee per Application Fee on page five,
and submit to the Cashier’s Office as instructed on the form. It is recommended that you maintain a
photocopy of your completed application for your records. Provided you submit a properly completed
renewal application no later than June 1, you should receive your approved
renewal permit prior to the June 30 expiration date of your permit.
Improper animal
inventory reporting, or other violations of the terms of your permit, could
cause delays in the renewal of your permit, or the denial or your permit
renewal. Your permit file will be
audited at renewal time. An audit may
reveal:
- Failure to submit Monthly Inventory
Reports per Monthly Inventory
Reports on page eight.
- Monthly Inventory Reports submitted
late.
- Monthly Inventory Reports which do not
account for current animal numbers.
- A renewal application that indicates a
species has been acquired without an amended permit on file.
For each species, the
number of animals held that you list on your renewal application should match
the number on your current permit, or the number reported on your last Monthly
Inventory Report. If not, you should
attach a Monthly Inventory Report, or other document, accounting for the
current number of animals held.
Application
Fee
Normally, the fee
for new or renewal applications is $45.
However, if an applicant has more than 500 animals or more than 40 acres
enclosed, the fee will be determined as described below:
- The fee shall be $45 for any number of
animals not to exceed 500, plus $15 for each 500 or portion thereof in
excess of 500, or
- The fee shall be $45 for the number of
enclosure acres not to exceed 40 acres, plus $15 for each 40 acres or
portion thereof in excess of 40 acres.
- The fee to be charged shall be the
larger one that can be charged for either animal numbers or acres
enclosed. The maximum fee which can
be charged for a single location is $150.
A check or money order
should be made payable to the "State of
There is no fee for
amended applications. Amended applications
should be mailed to: Permit Specialist,
DNR, Wildlife Division,
Enclosures
and Sanitation
All cages and
enclosures must meet the specifications and contain the amenities described
within this circular. Animals must be
held within the square footage requirements listed, except newborn mammals may
remain with their parents until weaned.
All enclosures shall be of sufficient structural strength and designed
to prevent the escape of the captive animals (and their offspring) and to prevent
the entrance of free individuals of the same species. Wing-clipped and pinioned birds may be kept in suitable unroofed
enclosures as determined by the Department (see Wild Turkeys-Special Restrictions on page ten). Permittees must keep all fences and
enclosures properly repaired. Each
enclosure shall be provided with rain-proof dens, nest boxes, shelters, shade,
and bedding as may be necessary for the comfort of the animals. All animals shall be handled in a sanitary
and humane manner. At no time shall
animals be chained or otherwise tethered to stakes, posts, trees, buildings, or
other anchorage. Game birds possessed
under this permit shall not be shot.
Keeping
Animals in Your House
The Department does
not recommend that animals possessed under permit be held within your house
either temporarily or as “house pets.”
However, your home is considered part of your licensed premises. Therefore, it is legal to keep animals held
under permit within your house or other living unit. This only applies to one location; either the
address of the applicant/permittee’s location, or the address of the location
where animals are held (if other than the applicant/permittee’s location), in
accordance with instructions on the permit application form. An enclosure meeting permit specifications is
still required. The enclosure must be
separate from any human dwelling. It may
not be a room, basement, or any part of your house or living unit.
Inspections
Do not contact your local Conservation
Officer or other local Department personnel to arrange an inspection of your
facilities. These inspections may or may
not be arranged by the Department in accordance with the application
process. Whether an inspection occurs
will be decided upon by the Department based on the species, circumstances,
past history, and renewal status of the permittee.
Minimum
Enclosure Size and Required Amenities
Badger, Bobcat, Fox, or Raccoon:
·
Single
animal - eight feet by six feet and six feet high.
·
Add a
minimum of 24 square feet of floor space for each additional animal.
·
Clawing
logs and a two feet by two feet and two feet high den site required for each
animal.
·
A
climbing tree with three or more four-inch diameter branches shall be available
for each raccoon or bobcat.
·
A
14-inch by 36-inch protected shelf area shall be provided for each animal. Bobcat or raccoon platforms shall be at least
three feet above the floor. Fox and
badger platforms shall be one foot above the floor.
Coyote:
·
Single
animal - ten feet by eight feet and six feet high.
·
For each
additional animal, increase horizontal cage size by 40 square feet.
·
A four
feet by four feet and four feet high den site shall be provided for each
animal.
Beaver or Otter:
·
Single
animal - ten feet by eight feet and six feet high, with a four feet by six feet
pool, three feet deep at one end.
Increase horizontal cage size by 40 square feet and pool size by ten
square feet for each additional animal.
·
Otter
must have a variety of climbing surfaces, a slide, and a dry place for sleeping
and retreat.
·
Beaver
must be supplied with gnawing logs and a three feet by three feet and three
feet high nest box or retreat.
Muskrat or Mink:
·
Single
animal - eight feet by four feet and four feet high, with a two feet by four
feet and two feet deep pool at one end.
·
Increase
horizontal cage size by 16 square feet and pool surface area by two square feet
for each additional animal.
·
Muskrats
require gnawing material and a two feet by two feet and two feet high den site.
·
Mink
require a tree for climbing, an elevated shelf for loafing, and a two feet by two feet and two feet high den site.
Squirrel:
·
Single
animal - four feet by four feet and eight feet high.
·
Increase
cage size by one foot in width and depth for each additional animal held.
·
One nest
box, one foot by one foot and two feet high, elevated five feet off the ground,
shall be provided for each animal.
·
A
central climbing tree with at least three, three-inch branches shall be
available.
Skunk or Woodchuck:
·
Single
animal - eight feet by four feet and four feet high, with a two feet by two
feet and two feet high denning box.
·
Increase
horizontal cage size by 16 square feet for each additional animal.
·
Several
logs at least two feet long and six inches in diameter for clawing and/or
gnawing.
Black Bear:
(See Black Bears on page one.)
·
A single
animal shall be confined to a cage no smaller than 25 feet by 12 feet and ten
feet high.
·
Each
cage for a single bear must be provided with a pool four feet by six feet and
three feet deep.
·
For each
additional bear, increase cage floor space and pool surface area by 50 percent.
·
Each
bear shall be provided with a den site four feet by four feet and six feet
high.
·
Several
logs at least five feet long and ten inches in diameter for clawing shall be
provided.
·
Bear
enclosures approved prior to
Pheasants, Bobwhite Quail, Hungarian Partridge:
Pheasants, bobwhite
quail, or Hungarian partridge, when older than 14 weeks, shall be kept in an
enclosure no smaller than 100 square feet, subject to the following:
·
Pheasants
without specs (small plastic blinders that can be attached to pheasants at six
weeks or older to prevent cannibalism) require a minimum of 25 square feet per
bird.
·
Pheasants
with specs require a minimum of 15 square feet per bird.
·
Bobwhite
quail require a minimum of one square foot per bird.
·
Hungarian
partridge require a minimum of eight square feet per bird.
·
Bobwhite
quail and Hungarian partridge may be held in smaller breeding pens during the
breeding season.
·
In order
to reduce direct confrontation and interaction between birds, cover shall be
provided in enclosures which hold pheasants and Hungarian partridge. Cover may be provided by growing vegetation,
brush piles, old Christmas trees, corn shocks, bales of hay or straw, or other
cover forms placed into or grown within each pen.
Waterfowl:
·
Ducks - not
more than two pair, or one pair and their offspring of the year, shall be held
together in a minimum area of 100 square feet.
·
A
minimum of ten square feet of water, one foot or greater in depth shall also be
available.
·
Each
additional adult duck requires at least 20 square feet of additional land space
and five square feet of water surface.
·
Geese
and swans - not more than two pair, or one pair and their offspring, shall be
confined to an area smaller than 500 square feet.
·
A
minimum of 50 square feet of water, one foot or greater in depth, shall also be
available.
·
Each
additional goose or swan requires at least 100 square feet of land and 25 square
feet of water surface (see Mute Swans-Special
Restrictions on page ten).
Wild Turkey:
·
One to
five birds require a minimum of 150 square feet of horizontal space.
·
Each
additional bird requires an additional 15 square feet of floor space (see Wild Turkey-Special Restrictions on page
ten).
TRANSPORT OF ANIMALS OFF
LICENSED PREMISES
A person may
transport an animal held under permit in a temporary cage or other suitable
means of confinement directly to and from a facility only for the following
reasons:
1)
Veterinary
treatment of the animal.
2)
3)
Exhibition
of mammals to the public, provided a United States
Department of Agriculture license specifically authorizing this activity is
possessed.
4)
Use of
fox or raccoons in Department authorized field dog trials, provided the fox or
raccoons are not dragged, led on a leash, submerged in water, or allowed to
come into contact with dogs.
Live
Animal Sales
It is unlawful for
live animals to be removed from the licensed premises unless the animals are
being shipped directly out-of-State or the person receiving the live animals:
1)
has a
Permit to Hold Wildlife in Captivity listing the species being acquired, or
2)
has a
Game Bird Hunting Preserve License listing the species being acquired, or
3)
has a
Game Bird Release Permit listing the species being acquired, or
4)
has a
Field Dog Trial Permit listing the species being acquired, or
5)
is receiving 12
or fewer pheasants, bobwhite quail, or Hungarian partridge for personal use.
It is the
permittee's responsibility to verify that anyone receiving live animals has the
necessary permit.
Supply
Order Forms
Applicants will
receive a Supply Order form (PR 1350-7) with their approved permit. This form may be used to order Monthly
Inventory Reports at no charge and Official Shipping Tags at a cost of six
dollars per hundred. This form may also
be used by permittees possessing pheasants, bobwhite quail, and Hungarian
partridge to order Game Bird Release Permits at no charge. Supply Order forms must be completed in
accordance with the instructions on the form.
Monthly
Inventory Reports
A Monthly Inventory
Report of Wildlife in Captivity (PR 1350-2) is due by the 15th day of the month
following any calendar month in which you had any addition to, or subtraction from, your live animal inventory. This includes animals hatched or born and
animals that die, as well as animals sold or purchased. This report must be completed and submitted
in accordance with the instructions on the form. No report is required for any month in which
you had no additions to, or subtractions from, your live animal inventory. Your copy of all the reports submitted must
be retained for at least five years and are subject to Department
inspection. Failure to submit this
report is a violation of the terms of your permit and could result in the
issuance of a citation and revocation of your permit. New applicants will receive one Monthly
Inventory Report with their approved permit.
This form should be used to report their initial acquisition of
animals.
Exception for Pheasants, Bobwhite Quail,
and/or Hungarian Partridge
Permittees
possessing pheasants, bobwhite quail, and/or Hungarian partridge are exempt
from the requirement of submitting a Monthly Inventory Report for activities
involving those species. Such permittees
are required to maintain live animal inventory records pertaining to pheasants,
bobwhite quail, and Hungarian partridge in accordance with the instructions on
the report form. Those records include:
1)
The names,
addresses, and permit or license numbers of persons whom you sold or
transferred live animals or eggs to, or purchased or received live animals
from.
2)
The names
and addresses of persons whom you sold or transferred carcasses or parts
thereof to.
3)
The
dates, species, and numbers of birds hatched, found dead, purchased, acquired,
sold, or transferred.
You may use the
report form for recording these required records; however, you are not required
to use the form. For example, by keeping
your copy of all properly completed Official Shipping Tags (add permit number
of persons receiving live birds), and any other purchasing, hatching, and
mortality records, you will meet record keeping requirements. These records are subject to Department
inspection and must be retain by you for at least five years. A report must be submitted for all species
except pheasants, bobwhite quail, and Hungarian partridge.
Official
Shipping Tags
All products
produced under the authority of this permit shall be identified with an
Official Shipping Tag (PR 2309) prior to removal from licensed premises. The tags shall be completed in accordance
with the instructions on the tag. The
tags shall identify the products as having been produced and sold legally. The shipping tags are constructed in two
sections: one part (hard copy) shall accompany the shipment; the other section
(soft copy) is to be retained by the shipper for at least five years.
Game
Bird Release Permits
Permittees
possessing pheasants, bobwhite quail, or Hungarian partridge are authorized to
issue Game Bird Release Permits (PR 2200) to their customers wishing to
purchase more than 12 live pheasants, bobwhite quail, or Hungarian partridge
(or their eggs) for release or personal consumption. Birds held under the authority of a Game Bird
Release Permit may not be propagated or sold.
All surviving birds must be released within the county indicated on the
permit, or consumed, within six months of the issue date of the permit. The permit must be obtained before, or at the
same time as, the birds are acquired. A
Game Bird Release Permit must be issued in strict accordance with the procedures
stated on the form. Permittees wishing
to use Game Bird Release Permits should submit a Supply Order Form (see page
eight) requesting a supply of the permit forms.
With that supply you will receive a letter explaining in detail the
procedures for issuing this permit. The
Permit Specialist may issue Game Bird Release Permits to people acquiring birds
from outside of the State, or for transactions within the State, if necessary.
Commercial
versus Noncommercial Permits
Applicants who
indicate “Commercial Purposes” on the permit application form, will have their
names, addresses, and telephone numbers included on the “Commercial Breeder’s
List” which will be sent to the public upon request. Applicants who indicate “Noncommerical
Purposes” will not be included on this list.
If you do not wish to be included on this list, you should indicate
“Noncommercial Purposes”. Applicants who
intend to propagate and/or sell wildlife, either alive or as dressed products, and
wish to be included on this list, should indicate "Commercial Purposes"
as instructed on the permit application.
The designation as commercial or noncommercial is for Department
information purposes only. There is no
legal difference between a commercial permittee and a noncommercial
permittee. Both must adhere to exactly
the same permit requirements. For
example, a noncommercial permittee may sell wildlife species in accordance with
all permit regulations including the use of Monthly Inventory Reports and
Shipping Tags.
Wildlife
Species As Pets
The Department of
Natural Resources does not recommend or encourage the possession of wildlife
species as pets. Some of the reasons for
this are:
1)
There is
no rabies vaccine approved for use for wildlife. Immunizations that protect dogs and cats do
not necessarily protect wild animals.
Vaccines that immunize domestic animals may even prolong or mask
existing rabies infections in wild animals.
The progress of rabies and its clinical signs in domestic animals is
fairly predictable. Rabies in wild
animals is considerably less predictable.
An infected animal can undergo a variable incubation period where the
virus remains dormant in the wound for over a year. Furthermore, when the animal does become
infected, it may not show any symptoms of the disease, while still spreading great
amounts of virus. There is no ten-day
waiting period, as with a dog. By the time
the animal becomes ill, a person who has been bitten could be beyond help. Therefore, if a pet wildlife species bites
someone, the animal must be euthanized so that the brain can be tested for
rabies.
2)
Wildlife
pets can pose a serious threat to human safety.
Wild animals, even when raised for generations in captivity, are still
wild animals. As they grow older, they
can unpredictably revert back to their wild instincts, sometimes biting and
attacking for no apparent reason.
3)
The
commercial pet trade can encourage the illegal taking of animals from the wild.
4)
Some
people acquire wildlife species as pets for the wrong reasons. Some may think that having an unusual animal
as a pet is chic, or that possessing these animals will improve some image they
have of themselves, rather than truly caring for the welfare of the
animal. Others acquire young wildlife
species because they are cute and cuddly, but are not prepared for the
responsibility of caring for the wild animal as it grows older and larger and
sometimes becomes dangerous and deadly. Certain
species of wild animals should be appreciated in their natural habitat without
being owned as pets, and people in the market for a pet should strongly
consider a homeless, domestic, dog or cat.
Mute
Swans-Special Restrictions
Special regulations
apply to the possession and selling of live mute swans. Mute swans possessed under permit and hatched
on or after
Wild
Turkeys-Special Restrictions
Special regulations
apply to the possession and selling of live wild turkeys or wild turkey
hybrids. Wild turkeys and wild turkey
hybrids must be pinioned (rendered incapable of flight by the removal of the
wing tip of one wing) before reaching 14 days of age. Fertile eggs of wild turkeys or wild turkey
hybrids shall not be removed from the licensed premises, unless they are being
shipped directly out-of-State. Non-pinioned
turkeys and hybrids may be shipped out-of-State prior to reaching 14 days of
age.
Because of the
inability to maintain control of the offspring, the Department does not allow
turkeys held under permit to roam free within large unroofed enclosures.
Types
of Pheasants Regulated
As indicated on page
one, a permit is required for the possession of ring-necked pheasants,
The possession of the following types of
pheasants requires a permit:
Ring-necked, Chinese
ring-necked, Korean ring-necked, Manchurian ring-necked, Manchurian ring-necked
cross, extra large ring-necked, jumbo ring-necked, white-winged, Afghan
white-winged,
The possession of the following types of
pheasants does not require a permit:
Melanistic mutant,
black mutant, green mutant, blue mutant, buff, buff Isabel, Alaskan snow,
Reeves, silver, Impeyan, Lady Amhearst, golden, red golden, white, and jumbo
white pheasants.
Importation
Any person wishing
to import live animals not listed on page one must obtain importation
requirement information from: Michigan Department of Agriculture, Animal
Industry Division,
(517-373-1077).
Any person wishing
to import any live animal listed on page one, or the eggs of birds on this
list, must secure a Veterinarian's Certificate of Health from an accredited
veterinarian in the State of origin before the stock is shipped into
It is illegal
to import into
A Permit to Hold
Wildlife in Captivity does not authorize the importation of threatened or
endangered species. Threatened and
endangered species include, but are not limited to: cougar, gray wolf, lynx, and
trumpeter swans. It is unlawful to
possess, transport, buy, sell, import, or export any threatened or endangered
species unless under the authority of the Natural Resources and Environmental
Protection Act, Public Act 451 of 1994, Part 365, Endangered Species Protection. For more information, please contact:
Endangered Species Coordinator, DNR, Wildlife Division,
A person wishing to
import wild bird's eggs or wild animals into
United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax
Drive, Room 212, Arlington, Virginia 22203 (800-358-2104). The United States Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare may also require permits.
Migratory
Waterfowl and Other Migratory Birds
Both State and
Federal permits are required in order to purchase or sell most live migratory
waterfowl. It is the responsibility of
an individual wishing to keep waterfowl in captivity, including mallard ducks,
to understand Federal regulations. Also,
a Federal permit is required for the possession of other live migratory birds
including crows. These permits will not
be issued for the possession of migratory birds as pets. For more information please contact: United
States Fish and Wildlife Service, Region Three, Migratory Bird Permits,
Exhibition
of Wildlife
Any enclosure which
exhibits wild mammals near a commercial establishment or any place open for
public viewing must include a barrier fence between the enclosure and the
viewing public. The barrier fence must
be a minimum of four feet high, and placed at least four feet outside of the
perimeter of the enclosure. Only food
supplied by the permittee, or an agent of the permittee, shall be fed to
exhibited wildlife by the public. A
United States Department of Agriculture license is also required for the
exhibition of wild mammals per Federal
Regulations below.
Federal
Regulations
In addition to State
rules and regulations identified herein, Federal regulations developed as part
of the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 as amended, may also be imposed upon any
facility which sells wild animals as pets, for breeding or research purposes,
or exhibits animals at any time. Annual
inspection of all facilities which house such animals will be carried out by a
representative of the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Welfare
Section. For more information please contact: Eastern Regional Office for Animal Care,
Questions?
For more information
regarding the possession of wildlife, or the application and permit process, please
contact: Permit Specialist, DNR, Wildlife Division,
Questions regarding
game bird husbandry can be directed to the Michigan Association of Game Bird
Breeders and Hunting Preserves,
(IC 1350-1 Permits to Hold Wildlife in Captivity)