Can You Own a Lion in Massachusetts? What the Law Actually Says
August 7, 2026
If you’ve ever wondered whether you could legally keep a lion in Massachusetts, the short answer is no — and the prohibition comes from multiple directions at once. Both state wildlife law and a federal statute signed in 2022 make private lion ownership effectively impossible for any ordinary resident of the Bay State.
Understanding exactly why requires a look at how Massachusetts regulates exotic animals, how federal law now overlays those rules, and what the real-world consequences are for anyone who tries to get around the restrictions. This article walks through each layer of the law so you have a clear picture of where things stand.
Is It Legal to Own a Lion in Massachusetts?
No. Owning a lion as a private pet is flatly prohibited in Massachusetts. Massachusetts has strict laws that limit the types of animals that can be kept as pets. The state’s default legal position is that if an animal is not on the official exemption list maintained by MassWildlife, it is effectively banned for private ownership.
The state has banned certain exotic animals from being owned as pets, such as primates, wolves, bears, and large cats — including lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, cheetahs, and African servals. A lion does not appear anywhere on the state’s exemption list, which means possessing one without a qualifying license is a violation of state law regardless of where you obtained the animal.
On top of state restrictions, a 2022 federal law now independently prohibits private lion ownership across all 50 states. So even if Massachusetts somehow changed its rules tomorrow, a private resident still could not legally keep a lion under federal law. You can read more about venomous animals in Massachusetts that are also subject to strict possession rules.
Key Insight: Massachusetts operates on a “prohibited unless listed” framework. Any mammal not explicitly named as legal or domestic is automatically off-limits — no loopholes, no gray areas for lions.
What Federal Law Says About Lion Ownership
Before 2022, federal law addressed the interstate trade of big cats but did not directly regulate simple possession within a single state. That gap is now closed. The Big Cat Public Safety Act was enacted December 20, 2022, to end the private ownership of big cats as pets and prohibit exhibitors from allowing public contact with big cats, including cubs.
The Big Cat Public Safety Act (BCPSA) makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce, or in a manner substantially affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or breed or possess prohibited wildlife species — lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, and cougars, or any hybrids thereof — with certain exceptions.
The law does provide a narrow grandfather clause for people who already owned big cats before December 20, 2022. In order to continue to legally possess privately owned big cats, the Act required individuals or entities to register any big cat(s) in their possession before the date of enactment with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), unless another exception of the Act applies. This registration had to occur no later than June 18, 2023 — 180 days after enactment. Registration is now closed. That window has passed, so no new registrations are possible.
The Act does not allow pre-Act owners to acquire additional big cats after December 20, 2022. Only registered pre-Act big cats may be allowed to stay privately owned. For practical purposes, this means private lion ownership in the United States is now a closed chapter for anyone who wasn’t already registered.
The BCPSA does carve out exemptions for certain institutions. The law doesn’t apply to licensed facilities like zoos and sanctuaries that meet specific standards, as well as state universities and wildlife rehabilitation centers. Private individuals do not qualify for these exemptions. You can also explore which American states have mountain lions to understand how big cat geography intersects with varying state laws.
Important Note: The Big Cat Public Safety Act is enforced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Violations can result in both civil and criminal penalties on top of any state charges Massachusetts may bring independently.
Massachusetts’s Laws on Owning a Lion
Massachusetts has independently prohibited lion ownership through its own wildlife statutes, separate from the federal framework. In Massachusetts, the ownership and possession of exotic animals is regulated by MassWildlife under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Section 23. This law requires individuals to obtain proper permits and licenses before owning an exotic animal, and also establishes regulations for the housing and care of these animals.
The African lion (Panthera leo) falls squarely within the category of large wild cats that Massachusetts law bans from private possession. A person shall not possess any of the following cats of the Felidae family, whether wild or captive bred, including a hybrid cross with such a cat: lion, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard, jaguar, tiger, cougar, panther, or cheetah.
Massachusetts bans private possession of exotic pets and requires licenses for those who deal in and propagate wild species. The exemption list under 321 CMR 9.01 is the document that determines which animals residents may keep without a permit. Lions are not on that list, and they cannot be added to it — the criteria for exemption require that the animal pose no substantial danger to humans, which a lion clearly cannot satisfy. If you’re curious about other animals in the state, see types of snakes in Massachusetts or types of hawks in Massachusetts for a sense of the wildlife that does exist here naturally.
An animal unlawfully sold or possessed in violation of M.G.L. c. 131, § 23 or the relevant Code of Massachusetts Regulations “may be seized and shall be disposed of by the director of law enforcement for the best interests of the commonwealth.” This may include euthanasia of the animal. That outcome — the animal being seized and potentially euthanized — is one of the more sobering practical consequences of attempting to keep a prohibited species.
Permits and Requirements for Lion Ownership in Massachusetts
You might wonder whether there is any permit pathway that would allow a private Massachusetts resident to keep a lion. There is not — at least not for pet ownership. No personal possession permits for the purpose of pet ownership will be issued. The state is explicit on this point.
Permits in this category are issued only for certain scientific, educational, commercial, or other specific reasons. You must be able to show that you are actively engaged in the activity for which you are applying for a permit. You will not be issued a permit for keeping a wild animal as a pet.
Certain institutional uses are treated differently. Authentic and legitimate educational use certified by zoological or biological officials will be issued permits. Commercial businesses where the animal is in conjunction with the applicant’s primary existing occupation or livelihood will be granted a permit. In practice, this means accredited zoos, licensed wildlife sanctuaries, and some research institutions can hold big cats legally — private individuals cannot.
| Applicant Type | Can Obtain a Permit? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private individual (pet) | No | Explicitly prohibited under state and federal law |
| Accredited zoo or aquarium | Yes | Must meet AZA or equivalent standards |
| Licensed wildlife sanctuary | Yes | Must meet GFAS or equivalent standards |
| Educational/research institution | Possibly | Requires certification by zoological or biological officials |
| Commercial exhibitor (traveling) | Restricted | Subject to M.G.L. c. 131, § 19C; public contact banned under BCPSA |
No permits for breeding will be issued unless in compliance with AZA, IUCN, or the state of Massachusetts or the USA, and in the eyes of the Massachusetts Director the breeding will make a meaningful contribution to the survival and recovery of the species. This standard essentially limits breeding permits to recognized conservation programs — not private hobbyists. For context on how Massachusetts approaches other regulated animals, see dog breed restrictions in Massachusetts and dog leash laws in Massachusetts.
Local Laws That May Apply in Massachusetts
State law is not the only layer of regulation you would face. Massachusetts municipalities have independent authority to enact animal ordinances that go beyond what MassWildlife requires. State law sets the floor, but local governments in Massachusetts can add restrictions that go beyond what MassWildlife requires. This means an animal that is legal under state law may still be prohibited where you live.
Local boards of health and animal control officers are the primary enforcers of municipal animal ordinances. In cities like Boston, Worcester, or Springfield, local health codes and zoning bylaws often contain their own prohibitions on dangerous or exotic animals. Even in rural towns, agricultural zoning rules may independently bar keeping a large predator on residential property.
There is also a private-property dimension to consider. Even if your animal is state-legal and town-legal, your lease agreement may prohibit it — and violating that lease can result in eviction proceedings. While this is a moot point when the animal is already illegal at every government level, it illustrates how many overlapping restrictions exist.
- Municipal ordinances: Many Massachusetts cities and towns have local bylaws explicitly banning dangerous exotic animals, independent of state law.
- Zoning regulations: Agricultural and residential zoning rules may prohibit structures required to house a large predator.
- Board of health orders: Local health officials can issue orders concerning animals deemed a public health risk.
- Homeowner and rental agreements: Private contracts may add another layer of restriction even where law is silent.
While your state may allow you to keep certain animals as pets, local laws can restrict ownership. State laws are frequently changing in response to concerns for public safety and animal well-being. You should always double-check for any new or proposed state or local legislation. This advice applies equally in reverse: even when state law is already prohibitive, local rules may layer on additional consequences. Learn more about exotic pets that are legal in Massachusetts to see what options do exist within the law.
Penalties for Illegally Owning a Lion in Massachusetts
The consequences of keeping a lion illegally in Massachusetts are serious and come from at least two independent legal systems simultaneously — state and federal.
At the federal level, under the Big Cat Public Safety Act, illegal ownership can result in fines of up to $20,000 and imprisonment for up to five years. The animal is also subject to confiscation. State penalties can be added on top of federal ones, potentially leading to even steeper fines and longer jail time.
At the state level, violations of these laws can result in fines and potential loss of ownership. More specifically, Massachusetts has strict penalties for those who violate animal welfare laws. Those found guilty of mistreating or neglecting exotic animals can face fines, imprisonment, or loss of their permit to possess these animals.
Beyond fines and imprisonment, the animal itself faces a grim outcome. Any fish, bird, mammal, reptile or amphibian possessed, propagated, cultivated, maintained, sold, or offered for sale in violation of this section or of any rule or regulation made under authority thereof may be seized and shall be disposed of by the director of law enforcement for the best interests of the commonwealth. In practice, “disposed of” can mean euthanasia if no qualified sanctuary placement is available.
Important Note: Federal and state penalties stack independently. A single illegal lion could expose you to federal BCPSA charges, Massachusetts M.G.L. c. 131 § 23 violations, and potential local ordinance violations — all at the same time.
Violators are subject to civil or criminal penalties, or both, including potential fines, imprisonment, or both. Big cats bred, possessed, imported, exported, transported, sold, received, acquired, or purchased contrary to the provisions of the Act are subject to seizure and forfeiture under the federal BCPSA. There is no scenario in which a Massachusetts resident could legally acquire and keep a lion today as a private pet — the combination of state and federal law closes every practical avenue.
If you are interested in large wild cats from a purely educational standpoint, resources like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s BCPSA guidance and the MSPCA’s overview of exotic animal laws provide thorough, up-to-date information. You can also read about how much a mountain lion weighs or what animals eat mountain lions to satisfy curiosity about big cats without running afoul of any law. For a broader look at how Massachusetts compares to other states on wild animal rules, the Animal Legal & Historical Center’s summary of M.G.L. c. 131 § 23 is an authoritative starting point, as is the official Mass.gov wildlife-as-pets guide.