Can You Own a Kangaroo in the US? What the Law Says State by State

Kangaroos are striking, powerful animals — and for some people, the idea of keeping one is genuinely appealing. But before you start researching breeders or planning an enclosure, there is one question you need to answer first: is it even legal where you live?

The answer is not simple. Whether you can own a kangaroo in the US depends on a layered set of rules — federal statutes, state wildlife laws, local ordinances, and permit requirements that vary widely from one jurisdiction to the next. In most of the country, private kangaroo ownership is outright prohibited. In a smaller number of states, it is allowed only with the right permits. And in a handful of places, there is little to no statewide restriction at all — though local rules may still apply.

This article walks you through each layer of the law so you can understand exactly where things stand in your state.

Is It Legal to Own a Kangaroo in Your State?

In the United States, owning a kangaroo is far from universally permitted. The states that currently have laws in place allowing private kangaroo ownership — to varying degrees — include Illinois, Idaho, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Within those states, there is significant variance in requirements — some need no permits or licenses at all, while others require various forms of approval. The vast majority of the United States, however, strictly prohibits the private ownership of kangaroos.

The map breaks down roughly into three tiers:

• No state-level permit required: Wisconsin, West Virginia, and South Carolina are the states where owning a kangaroo may be legal without needing a state-level permit.
• Permit required: States like Washington, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maine, and New Jersey typically require permits. A very small number of states allow kangaroo ownership without a permit.
• Prohibited: Many states explicitly prohibit kangaroo ownership due to public safety, animal welfare, and ecological concerns. Keeping a kangaroo as a pet is entirely illegal in a significant portion of the United States.

Even within the “permitted” tier, the legal picture is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Even when a state allows exotic animals like kangaroos in some form, local ordinances — from counties, cities, and zoning rules — can impose additional restrictions or outright bans. You should always verify the rules at every level of government before acquiring one of these animals. For a comparable look at how state-level animal laws work in practice, see can you own a skunk in Arizona and can you own a squirrel in Wisconsin.

Pro Tip: Laws governing exotic animals are subject to change at any time. Always confirm the current status directly with your state wildlife agency or department of agriculture before making any decisions.

What Federal Law Says About Kangaroo Ownership

At the federal level, no single law bans private kangaroo ownership outright. Federal laws are usually not the main obstacle to owning a kangaroo unless the species is endangered, you are importing them, or you are crossing state lines. Most regulation happens at the state or local level.

That said, two major federal statutes are directly relevant to anyone thinking about acquiring a kangaroo.

The first is the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act provides that it is unlawful for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any fish or wildlife or plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States or in violation of any Indian tribal law, whether in interstate or foreign commerce. In practical terms, this means that even if your state permits kangaroo ownership, you cannot legally transport, buy, or sell one across state lines if doing so violates any applicable law. The Lacey Act still prohibits the transport, sale, or trade of these wild animals across state lines.

Penalties under the Lacey Act can be severe, including fines up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for organizations, and imprisonment for up to five years.

The second relevant framework involves USDA oversight and import regulations. Any kangaroo brought into the United States from abroad must comply with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requirements, which include health certificates, import permits, and potential quarantine. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) also sets controls on the international trade of certain species. While most kangaroo species kept in the US are not currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, you should verify the specific species’ status before pursuing an import.

Important Note: The Lacey Act applies even when a state permits ownership. If you purchase a kangaroo that was transported across state lines in violation of any law — even unknowingly — you could face federal charges. Always obtain documentation of legal origin from any seller.

For a broader look at how state and federal animal regulations interact, the Born Free USA summary of state exotic animal laws is a useful reference, as is the Animal Legal and Historical Center’s full text of the Lacey Act.

Your State’s Laws on Owning a Kangaroo

Because kangaroo ownership laws vary so dramatically, it helps to understand how your state classifies these animals. Kangaroos are non-native exotic animals. How a state classifies them — whether as a “harmless exotic,” an “injurious” species, or a “wild animal” — directly affects their legal status. If a state law treats kangaroos as “dangerous wild animals” or “injurious,” restrictions are stricter.

Here is a state-by-state overview of the most commonly referenced jurisdictions:

State	Ownership Status	Key Notes
South Carolina	Generally permitted	While owning other exotic animals like great apes, large wild cats, and non-native bears is illegal without a permit, kangaroos are not included in that restriction.
West Virginia	Generally permitted	West Virginia has a board that regulates “dangerous wild animals,” but kangaroos are not included in their purview.
Wisconsin	Permitted with nuance	Technically, there is no state law that says you can’t own a kangaroo. However, Wisconsin law states no person may possess any live wild animal without a license — but there is an exception for live nonnative wild animals that are not endangered or threatened species.
Texas	Permitted with conditions	In Texas, kangaroos are not classified as “dangerous wild animals,” so a specific permit for them is not required. However, you must adhere to all general exotic animal ownership laws and may need a certificate of registration if a kangaroo falls under another category.
New York	Prohibited	New York prohibits owning kangaroos unless you are an exempted zoo.
Georgia	Prohibited	It is against the law to own most wildlife in Georgia, including kangaroos, primates, non-domesticated canines, non-domesticated felines, crocodiles, alligators, elephants, bats, piranhas, and others.
Florida	Prohibited (for most)	Certain exotic animals may not be kept as pets in Florida, including almost all marsupials.
California	Heavily restricted	California is fairly strict: wild animals and marsupials are regulated, and you will often need a permit. Some exotic species are very restricted.
Louisiana	Prohibited	It is illegal to own a kangaroo in Louisiana, as the state does not permit the private ownership of wild or exotic animals as pets.
Colorado	Unregulated (with caveats)	It is unlawful for persons to possess most exotic species unless for commercial purposes. Persons may possess unregulated wildlife, which includes but is not limited to sugar gliders, wallabies, wallaroos, and kangaroos.

If you are researching how your state handles related animal regulations, you may also find it helpful to read about owning a skunk in Missouri or owning a squirrel in Pennsylvania for a sense of how exotic animal law varies even within the same region.

If you are seriously considering kangaroo ownership, An In-Depth Guide to Raising Kangaroos is a thorough resource that covers the husbandry, behavioral, and care requirements involved in keeping these animals responsibly.

Permits and Requirements for Kangaroo Ownership

If you live in a state where kangaroo ownership is allowed with a permit, the application process is typically more involved than obtaining a standard pet license. Obtaining a permit requires providing specific information and documentation to the relevant state agency. Applicants typically need to submit proof of adequate and secure enclosure specifications detailing size, fencing, and shelter; a comprehensive plan for veterinary care including emergency protocols and vaccination schedules; and information about the kangaroo’s source, such as a licensed breeder or rescue organization, to ensure legal acquisition.

The applicant’s background information — including prior experience with exotic animals and a criminal background check — is also commonly required, along with a demonstration of financial capability to provide long-term care covering food, veterinary services, and enclosure maintenance.

On the physical side, your enclosure needs to meet high standards. Kangaroos require good fencing to keep them contained. They can cover more than 30 feet with one leap and can also jump around 10 feet high. Standard garden fencing is not high enough to keep a kangaroo in. Kangaroos are also quite strong, so any fencing must be robust enough to stop them from breaking out. A product like Heavy-Duty Welded Wire Mesh Fencing is the type of material typically used in compliant kangaroo enclosures.

Once your enclosure is ready, you will also need to think about feeding infrastructure. Kangaroos are large herbivores that consume significant quantities of grass, hay, and leafy browse. A Large Animal Livestock Feeder Trough can help you manage feeding in an organized and hygienic way.

Regarding the permit process itself: once all necessary documentation is gathered, submission methods vary by state, often including mailing, online portals, or in-person delivery. Associated application fees, ranging from nominal to several hundred dollars, must be paid at submission. Applicants should anticipate a processing timeline of several weeks to a few months, depending on the state’s administrative capacity. During this period, state officials may conduct site inspections of the proposed enclosure to ensure it meets safety and welfare standards.

Quite often these permits are expensive and carry significant restrictions. In some states, kangaroos cannot be sold or kept for commercial purposes even with a permit. In others, restrictions apply to importation or breeding.

Key Insight: Permit requirements are not just paperwork. They exist to verify that you have the physical infrastructure, financial resources, and knowledge to care for an animal with very specific needs. Meeting those standards before applying will significantly improve your chances of approval.

For a broader comparison of how permit-based animal ownership works in other contexts, see horse boarding regulations in Washington and beekeeping laws in New Jersey.

Local Laws That May Apply

Even if your state permits kangaroo ownership — with or without a permit — you are not necessarily in the clear. While your state may allow you to keep certain animals as pets, local laws can restrict ownership. State laws are also 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.

Wisconsin is a clear example of this dynamic in action. Local governments in Wisconsin are able to dictate whether or not you can own a kangaroo. One of the towns that has a ban on owning any exotic animal, including kangaroos, is Janesville. What is allowed at the state level can be restricted — or banned entirely — at the city or county level.

The same principle applies in South Carolina. While South Carolina is flagged as one of only three states that allow unrestricted kangaroo ownership, that does not account for possible local ordinances. There are regulations on owning many native wildlife species, but little in regard to wild animals from out of state.

The types of local rules that can affect kangaroo ownership include:

• Zoning ordinances — Many residential zones prohibit keeping livestock or exotic animals, regardless of state law.
• Municipal exotic animal bans — Some cities have blanket bans on all exotic or non-domestic animals.
• Noise and nuisance ordinances — Even where kangaroos are legal, complaints from neighbors about noise or escaped animals can trigger enforcement action.
• HOA rules — If you live in a homeowners association community, the association’s covenants may independently prohibit exotic animals.

Just because a state generally permits kangaroo ownership does not mean specific counties or municipalities within that state will not impose stricter regulations. Laws can change, so conducting up-to-date research is crucial for any prospective owner.

This layered structure is common across all types of animal ownership. You can see similar dynamics at play in backyard chicken laws in Rhode Island and rooster laws in Maryland, where state and local rules often diverge significantly.

Penalties for Illegally Owning a Kangaroo

If you keep a kangaroo without the required permits, in a state where ownership is prohibited, or in violation of a local ordinance, you face real legal consequences. The severity depends on where the violation occurs and which laws apply.

At the state level, penalties for illegal exotic animal possession typically include:

• Civil fines, which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per violation
• Confiscation of the animal by wildlife or animal control authorities
• Criminal charges in states with strict exotic animal statutes — in some cases rising to misdemeanor or felony level
• Costs associated with housing and care of the confiscated animal, which may be billed to the owner

Some states classify kangaroos specifically as part of a broader category of regulated wildlife. For example, in certain states, it is unlawful for any person to import, transport, transfer, sell, purchase, or possess any wild animal on a restricted list without first obtaining a wild animal license from the department. These licenses are only issued to persons engaged in wholesale or retail wild animal business or persons exhibiting wild animals to the public. The wild animals requiring such a license include all species of Marsupialia — meaning kangaroos and wallabies — along with all primate species and various carnivores.

At the federal level, if your kangaroo was transported across state lines in violation of any law, the Lacey Act applies. You can face a felony charge for violating the Lacey Act and importing, taking, and trading certain protected exotic wildlife in interstate commerce. Penalties under the Lacey Act can be severe, including fines up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for organizations, and imprisonment for up to five years.

Beyond legal penalties, there is also the matter of civil liability. Even in a state where kangaroo ownership is legal, owners can face civil liability if their animal escapes and causes harm. As one attorney noted, “It’s like a movie, but you’re responsible.” The South Carolina Department of Public Health strongly discourages owning wild animals as pets, and those who do need to understand that they are responsible for the property and for any harm their animals cause.

Monitoring your kangaroo’s health closely is a key part of responsible ownership and can also help demonstrate compliance with permit conditions. A tool like a Digital Pet Scale for Health Monitoring allows you to track weight changes — an early indicator of stress or illness in exotic animals.

Common Mistake: Assuming that because a neighbor or local breeder owns a kangaroo, it must be legal in your area. Enforcement is inconsistent, and previous owners may have been operating illegally or under grandfathered conditions. Always verify the law independently.

For related context on how state penalties work for animal law violations, see dog bite laws in Georgia and dog bite laws in Illinois, which illustrate how liability and enforcement vary by state.

Final Thoughts

Owning a kangaroo in the US is legally possible — but only in a limited number of states, and almost always with significant conditions attached. The legality of owning a kangaroo in the United States is complex; it depends a lot on which state, and sometimes which county or city, you are in. Federal law adds another layer through the Lacey Act’s restrictions on interstate transport and trade, and local ordinances can override even a permissive state framework.

If you are seriously considering kangaroo ownership, the responsible path is to start with your state wildlife agency, then check with your county and municipality, consult an attorney familiar with exotic animal law in your jurisdiction, and only then begin the permit application process. Animal laws and regulations are subject to change. The information available online is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult with your local animal control, state wildlife agency, and a qualified attorney to ensure you comply with all applicable laws and regulations before acquiring a kangaroo or any other exotic animal.

For more on navigating wildlife and animal regulations at the state level, explore coyote hunting laws in Georgia, coyote hunting laws in Indiana, and pet custody laws in Georgia. You can also find further guidance on exotic animal law through FindLaw’s exotic animal laws by state and LegalClarity’s kangaroo ownership guide.