Big Cat Ownership Laws in Wyoming: What State and Federal Rules Allow
November 9, 2026
Big cat ownership laws in Wyoming are stricter than most people expect, and they stack on top of a federal ban that took effect in late 2022. If you are thinking about keeping a tiger, lion, cougar or leopard, the short answer is that you cannot do it as a private owner.
The details matter, though. Wyoming treats native cats like the cougar differently from imported species like the tiger, and smaller wild cats such as the serval follow a separate permit track.
This article walks through each layer of the rules in plain terms: what the state bans, what federal law adds, who is exempt, and what happens if you break the law. Laws change, so confirm anything you plan to act on with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department before you move.
Important Note: This article is general information, not legal advice. If you own, transport or plan to acquire a wild cat, talk to a Wyoming attorney and the Game and Fish Department first.
Are Big Cats Legal to Own in Wyoming?
No. A private individual cannot legally keep a big cat in Wyoming. Two separate rules close the door: a state ban on “big or trophy game animals,” and a federal ban that covers lions, tigers, leopards and other large cats.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department answers the pet question with a cautious “it depends” on its wild animal as a pet page, but it states plainly that live big or trophy game animals may not be possessed. The state says it regulates wildlife possession to protect native animals from disease, ensure humane treatment of captive wildlife, and prevent hybridization between native and exotic species.
A 2026 summary from AllowedHere describes Wyoming as a “restricted” state for exotic pets, with large carnivores and primates barred. Treat that as a secondary summary, since it cites a statute section that does not match the Game and Fish framework. The primary sources below are more reliable.
Which Big Cats Does Wyoming Law Cover?
Wyoming law reaches big cats in two ways. The cougar (Puma concolor), also called the mountain lion, is named directly in the statute. Under Wyoming Statute 23-1-101, trophy game animals include black bears, grizzly bears and mountain lions.
Tigers, lions, leopards and similar imported cats are covered through a different route. According to Beastly Facts, Chapter 10 of the Game and Fish Commission regulations bars permits for any wildlife on the federal endangered and threatened list in 50 CFR 17.11. Both lion subspecies and the tiger appear on that list, so none of them can be permitted.
The federal Big Cat Public Safety Act names a broader set of species. Our cougar guide lists them as lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard, jaguar, cheetah and cougar, plus hybrids of those species.
| Cat | Wyoming Status | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Cougar / mountain lion | No private possession | Trophy game animal under state statute |
| Tiger | No permit available | Federal endangered list bar in Chapter 10 |
| Lion | No permit available | Both subspecies on federal list |
| Leopard, jaguar, cheetah | Banned federally | Big Cat Public Safety Act |
Is Private Ownership of Big Cats Banned in Wyoming?
Yes, and the wording is blunt. Chapter 10, Section 11(a) of the Game and Fish Commission regulations says there shall be no private ownership, private importation or private possession of live big or trophy game animals, as quoted by Beastly Facts.
The statute itself, Wyoming Statute 23-1-103, adds that there shall be no private ownership of live animals classified as big or trophy game animals or of any wolf or wolf hybrid. Born Free USA places Wyoming in Category B, its label for states that ban private ownership of exotic animals such as non-domesticated felines, wolves, bears and primates.
You may see sources describe an “Exotic Animal Ownership and Transfer Act” passed in 2013 that bans big cats in Wyoming. That name appears on low-quality summary sites, and I could not confirm it in the statutes. Rely on Title 23 and the Chapter 10 regulation instead.
Federal Big Cat Law and How It Applies in Wyoming
The Big Cat Public Safety Act took effect on December 20, 2022. Before that, according to our Wyoming cougar article, the United States had no federal law on possessing or breeding big cats unless another law like the Endangered Species Act or CITES was violated.
The Act makes it illegal to privately possess or breed big cats, and it bars public contact with big cats, including cubs. It applies in every state, including Wyoming.
Federal and state law do not cancel each other out. A person holding an illegal cougar could face charges under both Wyoming statute and the Act at the same time, and that source reports fines reaching $10,000 for violations. The same source notes that the Act sets a baseline and did not preempt stricter state laws.
Pro Tip: If a state rule and a federal rule conflict, follow the stricter one. In Wyoming, that usually means the state ban, because it has no private-owner permit path for big cats.
Big Cat Permit and License Requirements in Wyoming
For true big cats, there is no private permit to apply for. Chapter 10 would normally treat a warm-blooded exotic animal under a discretionary permit system, but Section 11(b)(xv) says a permit shall not be issued for endangered and threatened wildlife listed in 50 CFR 17.11, per Beastly Facts.
The Game and Fish Department publishes a Possessing Wildlife Brochure with a species-by-species table. It notes that all non-game wildlife used commercially requires a Chapter 10 permit, and it tells readers to check with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before importing or possessing wildlife.
Permits do exist for other animals, which is why you will see Wyoming listed as “permit required” on some exotic pet lists. That does not extend to tigers, lions, leopards or cougars.
Who Is Exempt From Wyoming Big Cat Laws? (Zoos, Sanctuaries, Exhibitors)
The state statute leaves room for zoos and exhibitors, but only under Commission control. Wyoming Statute 23-1-302 lets the Game and Fish Commission regulate and permit the importation of big or trophy game animals into Wyoming only for exhibition purposes or for zoos, according to the Title 23 text published by the Wyoming Legislature.
Federal law has its own exemptions. The Big Cat Public Safety Act allows certain entities, including licensed zoos, wildlife sanctuaries meeting federal standards, and licensed research facilities, to keep big cats. I did not retrieve the Act’s full exemption text for this article, so check the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidance for the exact criteria.
The practical point for you as an individual is simple: roadside attractions and backyard “sanctuaries” do not qualify just by calling themselves that.
Grandfathered Big Cats and Registration in Wyoming
The Big Cat Public Safety Act let people who already owned big cats before the law took effect keep them, but only if they registered. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidance, quoted by Beastly Facts, says pre-Act owners cannot acquire additional big cats after December 20, 2022, and that only registered pre-Act big cats may remain privately owned.
Wyoming does not offer its own grandfathering program for trophy game animals. Its ban on private possession of live trophy game animals is written without an exception for existing owners, so a federally registered cat could still run into state law.
If you believe you hold a pre-Act cat, get legal advice before assuming the federal registration protects you under Wyoming rules.
Can You Own a Big Cat Cub or Hybrid in Wyoming?
No. A cub is a big cat, and the federal Act explicitly bars public contact with cubs. Wyoming’s state ban applies to live big or trophy game animals without regard to age, so a young cougar is covered the same as an adult.
Hybrids are also covered federally, since the Act reaches hybrids of the listed species. At the state level, the statute bars private ownership of wolves and wolf hybrids, and the Game and Fish Department lists preventing unwanted hybridization between native and exotic wildlife as a reason for its possession rules.
Do not buy a cub from an out-of-state seller, a flea market or an online listing. Under federal law, the sale and transfer of big cats is barred, and the purchase would put you in violation the moment the animal crosses into Wyoming.
Can You Own a Bobcat, Lynx, Serval or Caracal in Wyoming?
This is where the rules split. The cats in this section are not “big cats” under the federal Act, and each has a different state classification.
- Bobcat: Listed as a furbearing animal in Wyoming Statute 23-1-101, which also covers badger, beaver, marten, mink, muskrat and weasel. Furbearers fall under regulated wildlife rules, not pet rules.
- Lynx: Listed as a protected animal under the same statute, alongside the black-footed ferret, fisher, pika and wolverine.
- Serval and caracal: Not named in the statute. As exotic warm-blooded wildlife, they fall under the Chapter 10 permit system rather than an outright ban, unless a species is on the federal endangered or threatened list.
The Game and Fish Department’s Possessing Live Warm-Blooded Wildlife Quick Reference Guide is the document to check for species-specific answers. Call the department before buying any small wild cat, since a permit is typically required and importation rules apply.
Common Mistake: Assuming a “domestic” label protects you. Common pets such as domestic dogs and cats are exempt from Commission rules, but a serval or caracal is a wild species, and hybrids like Savannah cats can raise extra questions. Ask Game and Fish about the specific animal.
City and County Big Cat Rules in Wyoming
State and federal bans already cover big cats, so local rules rarely add much for tigers or lions. Where local rules matter is with smaller exotic animals that the state allows by permit, since a city or county can still prohibit them within its limits.
Wyoming has no statewide list of local exotic animal ordinances that I could verify. If you are considering a serval, caracal or any other permitted wild animal, check your municipal code and county zoning with the city clerk or planning office before you apply for a state permit.
Our guide to hedgehog ownership laws in Wyoming shows how a small exotic pet can be treated differently at the local level, and the same logic applies to wild cats. Local approval does not override the state or federal ban on big cats.
Moving or Transporting a Big Cat Into or Through Wyoming
Importation is regulated separately from possession. Under Wyoming Statute 23-1-302, the Commission can regulate or prohibit importing exotic species, and it may permit importing big or trophy game animals only for exhibition or zoos.
The Chapter 10 language bars private importation of live big or trophy game animals outright. That means a private owner cannot drive a cat into Wyoming, even for a short stay or while passing through, without falling under the exhibition or zoo category.
The Game and Fish Department’s guidance is to get a permit before importing, possessing or transporting live wildlife and to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first. Federal transport limits also apply, so do not plan a move without checking both agencies.
- Confirm whether the animal is a federally listed species or a trophy game animal.
- Contact Wyoming Game and Fish about Chapter 10 importation rules.
- Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about federal restrictions and registration.
- Get written approval before the animal crosses the state line.
Who Enforces Big Cat Laws in Wyoming?
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is the main state enforcer. Game wardens enforce the Commission’s possession and importation rules, and the department holds permit authority over exotic and regulated wildlife.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service handles the federal side, including the Big Cat Public Safety Act and the Endangered Species Act. Both agencies can act on the same case.
Penalties vary. Our cougar article reports fines reaching $10,000 for violations, and a summary on State Regs Today says violations can lead to removal of the animal from its owner. That source is a general summary, so verify specific penalties in the statute.
Recent Changes to Big Cat Laws in Wyoming
The biggest recent change is federal. The Big Cat Public Safety Act took effect on December 20, 2022, and it created a nationwide baseline that applies on top of Wyoming’s existing ban.
On the state side, I did not find a new Wyoming big cat law in my research. A 2026 summary from AllowedHere reports no known pending legislation, but that site’s statute citations are unreliable, so treat the claim with caution.
Because the Game and Fish Commission can revise Chapter 10 by rule, check the department’s website before any purchase or transport decision. For other Wyoming animal rules, see our guides on goat ownership laws in Wyoming and roadkill laws in Wyoming.
The bottom line for you: private ownership of tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs and cougars is off the table in Wyoming. Smaller wild cats may be possible with a permit, but you need written confirmation from Game and Fish and your local government before you buy.