Indiana is one of the few states in the country where a private citizen can legally keep a lion — but the legal landscape changed significantly in 2022, and what was once a matter of state permits alone now involves a hard federal prohibition that most prospective owners do not know about.
If you are researching whether you can own a lion in Indiana, you need to understand three overlapping layers of law: federal statute, Indiana state code, and local ordinances. Each layer carries its own requirements, and failing to comply with any one of them can result in serious civil and criminal consequences.
Is It Legal to Own a Lion in Indiana?
In Indiana, a person can own just about any animal as a pet — from skunks and raccoons to foxes, cougars, and even lions — as long as they have the proper permit. That statement, however, is now significantly qualified by a federal law passed in late 2022 that overrides state permitting for new acquisitions.
The Big Cat Public Safety Act was enacted on 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. This means that even though Indiana state law has a permit pathway for lions, acquiring a new lion as a private owner is now a federal offense regardless of what Indiana’s permit system says.
The short answer, then, is this: if you did not already own a registered lion before December 20, 2022, you cannot legally own one in Indiana or anywhere else in the United States under current federal law. Indiana’s state permit system still exists and still governs how existing permitted animals must be housed and cared for, but it no longer opens the door to new private lion ownership.
Important Note: Federal law now prohibits acquiring a new lion as a private pet anywhere in the United States, including Indiana. Indiana’s state permit system does not override this federal prohibition. Always consult a qualified attorney before making any decisions about exotic animal ownership.
What Federal Law Says About Lion Ownership
The Big Cat Public Safety Act 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 — which include lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, and cougars, or any hybrids thereof — with certain exceptions.
The law amends the Captive Wildlife Safety Act to prohibit the private possession of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrid of these species. It also restricts direct contact between the public and big cats.
There is a narrow grandfather clause, but its window has closed. The Act includes an exception for private individuals or entities who owned big cats before this law was enacted on December 20, 2022. If you are a private big cat owner, you may keep your prohibited big cats under this law, provided you had registered each big cat in your possession with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service no later than June 18, 2023.
As a result, if you did not register each big cat in your possession with the USFWS by 11:59 p.m. on June 18, 2023, you are in violation of the law, unless another exception applies. 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.
Exemptions do exist, but they are narrow. The Lacey Act prohibits any person from importing, exporting, buying, selling, transporting, receiving, or acquiring big cats across state lines or the U.S. border; however, some exemptions are provided for certain entities, such as universities and wildlife sanctuaries. Accredited zoos, licensed exhibitors, and certain sanctuaries may still possess lions under separate authorization.
Anyone who violates the law faces up to $20,000 in fines and up to five years in prison. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the primary enforcement agency. You can learn more about the animals covered under federal big cat protections by visiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s official BCPSA page.
Key Insight: Prior to 2022, federal law only restricted the interstate commerce of big cats. The Big Cat Public Safety Act closed the loophole that previously allowed private possession within a state’s borders, as long as no state lines were crossed.
Indiana’s Laws on Owning a Lion
Indiana is one of the most lenient states when it comes to owning exotic pets. The state issues three classes of permits, and you can own bears, wild cats, crocodiles, venomous reptiles, and most others with a Class III permit. Lions fall into the Class III category, which is the most restrictive permit tier under Indiana’s system.
In Indiana, the DNR requires a permit to possess a purebred or hybrid exotic animal as a pet. The laws governing the wild animal possession permit issued by the DNR can be found in Indiana Code 14-22-26 and Indiana Administrative Code at 312 IAC 9-11.
Under Indiana’s rules, a “Class III wild animal” means a wild animal that presents a real or potential threat to human safety. A wild animal possession permit is required for Class III animals, which include wolves (purebred), bears, wild cats (excluding feral cats), venomous reptiles, and crocodilians at least five feet long. Lions, along with tigers, jaguars, and other large felines, fall squarely within this Class III designation.
Indiana, like Florida, is unique in that permits are issued for any reason as long as the applicant can meet the requirements. This distinguishes Indiana from states where permits are effectively only available to zoos, educational institutions, or sanctuaries. That said, the federal prohibition on new acquisitions now renders Indiana’s relative openness largely moot for lions specifically.
For context on the broader wildlife landscape in Indiana, including other animals regulated by the DNR, see our guides to venomous animals in Indiana and poisonous animals in Indiana.
Permits and Requirements for Lion Ownership in Indiana
Even setting aside the federal prohibition on new acquisitions, Indiana’s Class III permit process for lions involves substantial requirements. Understanding these requirements is useful both for anyone who may hold a grandfathered registration and for anyone seeking to understand the full scope of what Indiana law demands.
Permits are issued for one year only and must be renewed annually. Class III is the permit tier that covers wild cats. The application process differs depending on whether you are applying for the first time or renewing.
- New applications: Submit the signed, completed application form before taking possession of the animal with a payment of $20.
- Veterinary check: The animal must be examined by a veterinarian within 45 days of the issuance of the permit, and a copy of the receipt or a signature from the veterinarian on the application form is required by that time.
- Renewal applications: For renewal applications, the signature of a veterinarian is required, attesting that the animal appears to be free of disease and in good health.
- Legal acquisition: Documentation is required to verify legal acquisition of the animal, such as a receipt from a breeder.
- Conservation officer inspection: A conservation officer will be requested to conduct an inspection to ensure that the housing requirements are met and that the animal is or will be legally obtained prior to the issuance of a permit.
Indiana’s regulations also set detailed enclosure specifications for lions specifically. For lions and tigers, the walls, roof, and floor of the cage must be constructed of not less than nine-gauge steel chain link with a two-and-one-half-inch mesh maximum. For lions and cheetahs, an artificial heat source that is sufficient to maintain a minimum ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit is also required.
In addition to the primary housing requirements, the cage or enclosure required for a Class III wild animal must also be surrounded by a perimeter chain link fence that is at least six feet high, or the animal must be kept in a locked room.
Pro Tip: Indiana DNR does not require vaccinations for animals held under a wild animal possession permit, but renewal applications do require a veterinarian’s written verification of the animal’s health. Budget for annual veterinary visits as part of your compliance plan.
Permit exemptions do exist under Indiana law. A permit is not required if the mammal is possessed by a zoo, carnival, animal dealer, pet shop, circus, or nature center licensed under 9 CFR, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, Parts I through IV. Additionally, persons licensed by the USDA as commercial exhibitors, zoos, or dealers are exempted from the state permit and its requirements.
You can review the full permit regulations at the Animal Legal and Historical Center’s Indiana Wild Animal Permit page. For a broader look at big cat-related topics, visit our lion tag page and our guide on American states with mountain lions.
Local Laws That May Apply in Indiana
Even if you hold a valid Indiana DNR permit and comply with all state requirements, local ordinances can independently prohibit lion ownership in your specific city, county, or township. Indiana’s permit system operates at the state level and does not preempt local governments from enacting stricter rules.
Many Indiana municipalities have adopted their own dangerous or exotic animal ordinances that go well beyond what state law requires. These ordinances vary widely from one jurisdiction to the next. Some counties ban all large predatory animals outright; others impose additional zoning restrictions on where such animals can be kept; and some homeowners’ associations include exotic animal prohibitions in their governing documents that carry their own enforcement mechanisms.
Before acquiring any hybrid or exotic animal, you should check all local, city, county, township, and homeowners’ association ordinances in your area first. This is not optional guidance — it is a practical necessity, because a state permit does not shield you from local prosecution or civil action.
Common Mistake: Many prospective exotic animal owners assume that obtaining a state DNR permit means they are fully covered. Local ordinances operate independently and can prohibit what state law permits. Always verify with your county and municipal government before proceeding.
If you live in an incorporated city or town, contact your city’s code enforcement or animal control office directly. For unincorporated areas, check with your county commissioners or county council. Zoning regulations may also classify a lion enclosure as an agricultural, commercial, or industrial use that requires separate land-use approval.
Indiana’s wildlife and animal regulations also intersect with other areas of state and local law, including nuisance ordinances, liability statutes, and public health codes. If your lion were to escape or injure someone, even if you are allowed to own a certain type of animal, you may still be liable for any injuries or damages caused by your exotic pet. Just like with dog bites, these injuries can be severe. Owners can suffer strict liability for harm caused by their animals, meaning they can be responsible for injuries to others even if they are not negligent in supervising their animals.
For more on Indiana’s wildlife regulations and the animals that live in the state, see our resources on types of snakes in Indiana and types of hawks in Indiana.
Penalties for Illegally Owning a Lion in Indiana
Penalties for illegal lion ownership come from both the federal and state levels, and they are serious. Understanding the consequences is essential before making any decision about exotic animal ownership.
Federal penalties under the Big Cat Public Safety Act:
Violators are subject to civil or criminal penalties, or both, including potential fines, imprisonment, or both. Additionally, 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. As noted above, anyone who violates the law faces up to $20,000 in fines and up to five years in prison.
State-level consequences in Indiana:
At the state level, possessing a Class III wild animal without a valid Indiana DNR permit is a violation of Indiana Code 14-22-26. A permit may also be suspended if an emergency exists, such as when the animal is in peril or is in a position to harm another animal or person. A law enforcement officer or an employee of the department is not liable for the destruction of a permitted animal that escapes an enclosure and poses a threat to public safety. This means that if your lion escapes, authorities are legally permitted to destroy the animal without legal consequence to them.
| Violation Type | Authority | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Acquiring a lion after December 20, 2022 | Federal (BCPSA) | Up to $20,000 fine and/or up to 5 years imprisonment; animal seizure and forfeiture |
| Possessing a lion without an Indiana DNR permit | State (IC 14-22-26) | Civil and criminal penalties; permit denial or suspension; animal confiscation |
| Violating local ordinance on exotic animals | Municipal/County | Fines, forced removal of the animal, possible criminal charges depending on jurisdiction |
| Lion escapes and causes injury | Civil liability (state) | Strict liability for all damages; animal may be legally destroyed by law enforcement |
The DNR works closely with local law enforcement to enforce these laws and respond to any reports or concerns about the mistreatment of exotic animals. Enforcement is coordinated, meaning a complaint to a local animal control officer can quickly escalate to state and federal involvement.
If you are interested in Indiana’s wildlife more broadly — without the legal complexity of exotic ownership — explore our guides on woodpeckers in Indiana, types of owls in Indiana, types of eagles in Indiana, and migrating birds in Indiana. For those curious about big cats in the wild rather than captivity, our articles on how much a mountain lion weighs and what animals eat mountain lions offer a closer look at these animals in their natural context.
The bottom line is straightforward: owning a lion in Indiana is no longer legally possible for new private owners under federal law, and even grandfathered owners face an extensive web of state permit requirements, local ordinances, and strict liability exposure. Anyone navigating this area of law should consult a licensed attorney familiar with both federal wildlife statutes and Indiana’s DNR regulations before taking any action.