Can You Own a Lion in Pennsylvania? What the Law Actually Requires
June 2, 2026
Owning a lion is one of the most legally complex decisions a Pennsylvania resident could consider. These animals are not simply regulated — they sit at the intersection of federal law, state statute, local ordinance, and strict permitting requirements that most private individuals cannot realistically satisfy.
If you have been wondering whether you can own a lion in Pennsylvania, the short answer is that it is technically possible under a narrow set of conditions, but the path is far more demanding than most people expect. Understanding each layer of the law is essential before you take any steps toward acquiring one.
Is It Legal to Own a Lion in Pennsylvania?
Owning a lion in Pennsylvania is not a flat-out ban under state law alone, but it is also far from freely permitted. Under Pennsylvania law, “exotic wildlife” explicitly includes all bears, coyotes, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, wolves, and any crossbreed of these animals. That classification places lions squarely in the most tightly regulated category of animals in the state.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) may issue permits to persons to possess exotic wildlife, authorizing the holder to purchase, receive, or possess such animals from any lawful source. However, no permit is granted until the commission is satisfied that the provisions for housing, caring for the animal, and protecting the public are proper and adequate. It is unlawful for any person to possess, purchase, or receive exotic wildlife without first securing a permit.
Even with a permit in hand, the practical barriers are steep. As of 2020, just 12 exotic wildlife permits belonged to Pennsylvania residents, allowing them to possess big cats like lions, tigers, cheetahs, and the like. That figure underscores just how rarely the state grants this kind of approval to private individuals.
Key Insight: Pennsylvania classifies lions as “exotic wildlife,” meaning ownership without a permit is unlawful — and permits are issued only when strict housing, care, and public safety standards are met.
If you are curious about other wildlife native to or found in Pennsylvania, you may find it useful to explore lion-related content or read about which American states have mountain lion populations for broader context on big cat distribution and regulation across the country.
What Federal Law Says About Lion Ownership
Before Pennsylvania’s own rules even come into play, federal law imposes a significant restriction that affects anyone seeking to own a lion anywhere in the United States.
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. The Act applies to live specimens of “prohibited wildlife species,” which includes the following big cat species or hybrids of any of these species: lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard, jaguar, cheetah, and cougar.
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. This prohibition is narrowly focused on pet big cats and exempts zoos, sanctuaries, and universities.
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 cat 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. Registration is now closed. This means that if you did not already own and register a lion before that deadline, federal law effectively prohibits you from privately acquiring one today.
Important Note: The Big Cat Public Safety Act registration window closed on June 18, 2023. No new private lion ownership registrations are being accepted. Any lion acquired after December 20, 2022, without a qualifying exemption is illegal under federal law.
Anyone who violates the Big Cat Public Safety Act would face up to $20,000 in fines and up to five years in prison. These are federal penalties, entirely separate from anything Pennsylvania’s own laws may impose on top of them.
It is your responsibility to follow all local, state, tribal, and federal laws and regulations regarding prohibited wildlife species. Registration under the Big Cat Public Safety Act does not constitute authorization to engage in any activity prohibited by such laws and regulations.
For a broader look at big cat presence and behavior, you may also want to read about how much a mountain lion weighs or explore what animals eat mountain lions to understand these apex predators in a wider ecological context.
Pennsylvania’s Laws on Owning a Lion
Pennsylvania’s state-level framework for lion ownership is governed primarily by the Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code, specifically the exotic wildlife provisions found under 34 Pa.C.S. and the accompanying regulations in 58 Pa. Code Chapter 147.
The definition of “exotic wildlife” under Pennsylvania law includes, but is not limited to, all bears, coyotes, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, wolves, and any crossbreed of these animals that have similar characteristics in appearance or features. The definition applies whether or not the birds or animals were bred or reared in captivity or imported from another state or nation.
Nearly all exotic animals except certain reptiles and birds are illegal without a permit in Pennsylvania, and officials have suggested that permits are only given for animals that are native to the state. Associated laws and the distribution of permits are handled by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
It is unlawful to release any exotic wildlife into the wild, fail to exercise due care in safeguarding the public, or recklessly engage in conduct that places another person in danger of attack from exotic wildlife. These prohibitions apply regardless of whether you hold a permit or not — they are baseline obligations for any exotic wildlife owner.
It is also unlawful to maintain exotic wildlife in confinement in unsanitary or unsafe conditions, or in a manner that results in maltreatment, mistreatment, or neglect. No exotic wildlife may be confined in a pen, cage, or enclosure that does not meet the minimum pen specifications set out in the state’s regulations.
Pro Tip: Pennsylvania’s exotic wildlife laws apply regardless of where the animal was born or purchased. Even a captive-bred lion imported from another state is fully subject to Pennsylvania’s permitting and housing requirements.
Pennsylvania is also home to a wide range of native wildlife worth knowing about. If you are interested in the state’s animal life more broadly, take a look at guides covering owls in Pennsylvania, hawks in Pennsylvania, and eagles in Pennsylvania.
Permits and Requirements for Lion Ownership in Pennsylvania
If you are among the extremely rare individuals who might qualify to possess a lion in Pennsylvania — and assuming you meet the federal threshold — you will need to navigate a multi-step permitting process administered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Who Can Apply
To possess a lion, you must be a Pennsylvania resident who is at least 18 years old, apply for an “exotic wildlife possession” permit, and — if the permit is issued — pay a permit fee of $50 per animal per year. A separate permit is required for each individual animal you intend to keep.
Experience Requirements
A new applicant for an exotic wildlife possession permit must provide documentation of at least two years of experience of hands-on work with the designated species, including care, feeding, handling, training, and husbandry. This experience must be from a recognized or approved facility, and the owner, manager, or licensee of that facility must provide a letter of reference.
Housing and Enclosure Standards
No permit is granted until the commission is satisfied that the provisions for housing and caring for the exotic wildlife and for protecting the public are proper and adequate and in accordance with the standards established by the commission. For lions specifically, the state’s regulations mandate detailed enclosure specifications.
Cage construction must be strong enough to contain exotic wildlife and protect them from injury. For animals held more than ten days, minimum cage sizes and accessories are mandated — including claw logs for lions and tigers — and are listed in separate categories covering bears, lions and tigers, leopards, jaguars, and cougars, among others.
Local Government Confirmation
To receive a permit, applicants must demonstrate their ability to safely house and care for the exotic animal. They must also provide a letter from their local government confirming that owning the animal does not violate local ordinances. This requirement means that even a fully qualified applicant can be blocked at the local level before the state ever issues approval.
Documentation
It is unlawful for a person to possess exotic wildlife without having a bill of sale or other documentary evidence showing the name and address of the supplier of the exotic wildlife. This paperwork requirement applies at all times, not just during the application process.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 years old |
| Residency | Pennsylvania resident |
| Experience | At least 2 years hands-on with the specific species |
| Permit fee | $50 per animal, per year |
| Local approval | Letter from local government confirming no ordinance violation |
| Enclosure standards | Must meet PGC minimum specifications, including species-specific accessories |
| Documentation | Bill of sale or proof of lawful acquisition required at all times |
| Federal compliance | Must satisfy Big Cat Public Safety Act requirements (registration window now closed) |
Pennsylvania does not use a single statewide “exotic pet license.” Responsibility for permitting, restrictions, and inspections is split among state agencies, local municipalities, and federal law depending on the species. For lions specifically, that means coordinating with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and your local municipality — all at the same time.
Local Laws That May Apply in Pennsylvania
Even if you satisfy every state and federal requirement, your municipality may still prohibit lion ownership outright. State-level permission is only one layer of the legal picture. Even if you hold a valid Pennsylvania Game Commission permit, your municipality may have its own rules that further restrict or outright prohibit exotic animal ownership. The legal status can change based on where you live within the state. Local ordinances sometimes override state law.
If you live in a densely populated area such as Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, the likelihood of additional local restrictions is significantly higher than in rural counties. Cities and boroughs across Pennsylvania have enacted their own exotic animal codes that go beyond what the state requires.
As one example, the Borough of Pleasant Hills makes it unlawful for the owner, possessor, or any other person in control of a lot, tract, or parcel of land within the borough limits to knowingly permit any other person to be in possession of an exotic animal upon the property, residence, or premises. That borough’s definition of prohibited animals explicitly includes Felidae — lions, tigers, bobcats, cougars, leopards, jaguars, mountain lions, and non-domesticated cats.
Similarly, the City of Bethlehem prohibits keeping a wild or exotic animal in any place other than a zoological park, veterinary hospital or clinic, humane society, or circus, sideshow, amusement show, or facility used for educational or scientific purposes, which provides proper cages, fences, and other protective devices adequate to prevent the animal from escaping or injuring the public.
Common Mistake: Assuming that a Pennsylvania Game Commission permit is all you need. Local ordinances can — and often do — prohibit exotic animal ownership independently of state law. Always check your specific municipality’s code before proceeding.
Zoning laws in particular can be a barrier — even if exotic pets are technically permitted in your township, agricultural or residential zoning classifications may restrict the type of enclosure structures you can build. A lion’s required enclosure is substantial, and zoning restrictions may prevent you from constructing it even if ownership itself is not explicitly banned.
Pennsylvania’s wildlife landscape is rich and varied. While you are researching local regulations, you might also enjoy reading about black snakes in Pennsylvania, woodpeckers in Pennsylvania, or spiders in Pennsylvania to learn more about the state’s native species.
Penalties for Illegally Owning a Lion in Pennsylvania
The consequences of owning a lion without proper authorization in Pennsylvania operate at multiple levels — state, federal, and local — and they can compound quickly.
State-Level Penalties
Many violations of laws relating to the possession, sale, or care of exotic animals are summary offenses, punishable only by fines, but some are criminal misdemeanors or felonies. The tier of offense depends on the nature of the violation.
According to PA Code § 2963, a violation of this section relating to permits is a summary offense of the third degree. Any other violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth degree. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense, but under no circumstances shall the accumulated penalty for purposes of a field receipt exceed $300. There is no limit on any accumulated penalty a court may assess.
Failing to comply with exotic wildlife regulations can result in summary offenses. Repeated violations may lead to higher-level charges, and each day of non-compliance is treated as a separate offense.
In addition to the penalties provided, the director may, for any violation of this section or the rules and regulations thereunder, revoke or suspend any permit and order the disposal of any exotic wildlife held. “Disposal” in this context means the Pennsylvania Game Commission can order the animal removed from your possession — potentially placing it with a licensed facility or, in worst-case scenarios, euthanizing it if no appropriate placement is available.
Federal Penalties
Anyone who violates the Big Cat Public Safety Act faces up to $20,000 in fines and up to five years in prison. These federal penalties apply independently of any state charges and can be pursued simultaneously by federal authorities.
Civil Liability
Because lions are considered exotic animals, a homeowner’s insurance policy is unlikely to cover damages from a lion attack. The owner would need to purchase a special insurance rider or an insurance policy, which may be expensive. If the lion owner does not have insurance to cover an attack, the owner would be personally liable for the victim’s damages and losses.
Local Penalties
At the local level, any person who violates an exotic animal ordinance may be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300 plus costs, and in default of payment, a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each separate day that a violation continues or each section found to have been violated constitutes a separate offense.
Penalties for illegal possession can include seizure, fines, criminal charges, and euthanasia orders. The animal itself bears the greatest risk when ownership goes wrong — a confiscated lion may not find a suitable placement, and the outcome is not always humane.
Important Note: State, federal, and local penalties can all apply simultaneously. A single day of unpermitted lion ownership could trigger summary offenses under Pennsylvania law, federal charges under the Big Cat Public Safety Act, and local fines — all at once.
If you are interested in Pennsylvania’s animal life and looking for wildlife-friendly activities instead, consider exploring pet-friendly activities in Pennsylvania or reading about bees, moths, and fireflies found across the state.
Owning a lion in Pennsylvania is, for virtually all private residents, not a realistic or legal option under current law. The federal Big Cat Public Safety Act closed the door on new private ownership in 2022, Pennsylvania’s permitting system sets demanding standards that few individuals can meet, and local ordinances add yet another layer of restriction. If you have a genuine interest in lions or big cat conservation, connecting with an accredited zoological institution or a USFWS-recognized sanctuary is the most responsible and legally sound path forward. Always contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission directly to verify current permit requirements before taking any action.