Is It Legal to Own a Lion in Vermont? What State and Federal Law Say
July 16, 2026
If you have ever wondered whether you could legally keep a lion in Vermont, the short answer is no — and the prohibition comes from two separate layers of law. Both Vermont’s own wildlife statutes and a landmark federal act passed in 2022 make private lion ownership effectively impossible for the average resident. Understanding exactly why, and what the consequences of ignoring these rules look like, can save you from serious legal trouble.
Lions are among the most tightly regulated animals in the United States. Vermont’s approach to exotic animal ownership is built around a permit system that gives state officials broad authority to block dangerous species, and federal law has since closed any remaining gaps. This article walks through both frameworks so you know exactly where things stand.
Is It Legal to Own a Lion in Vermont?
No, it is not legal for a private individual to own a lion in Vermont. Lions are listed among the animals that are illegal to keep as pets in the state, alongside bears, cheetahs, wolves, monkeys, camels, alligators, and several other species. This prohibition operates at both the state and federal levels, meaning there is no permit pathway that would allow an ordinary Vermont resident to bring a lion home as a pet.
Vermont law bars any person from possessing nonnative exotic animals that are classed as predatory or undesirable as a pet. Nonnative exotic animals under this classification include, but are not limited to, bears, wolves, coyotes, weasels, badgers, hyenas, and all species of non-domesticated cats. Because lions fall squarely within the category of non-domesticated cats, they are covered by this prohibition.
Persons may possess certain regulated animals if they are a licensed exhibitor — that is, for commercial, educational, or scientific uses. However, that narrow exception does not apply to private pet ownership, and even licensed exhibitors face strict oversight from both state and federal authorities.
Key Insight: Even if you believe you have found a legal workaround, federal law enacted in December 2022 independently prohibits private lion ownership nationwide — regardless of what any state permit might say.
What Federal Law Says About Lion Ownership
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 law applies in every state, including Vermont, and it operates independently of whatever state rules are already in place.
The 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 to 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. Lions (Panthera leo) are explicitly named as a prohibited wildlife species under this statute.
In order to continue legally possessing privately owned big cats, the Act required individuals or entities to register any big cats in their possession before the date of enactment with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, unless another exception applied. This registration had to occur no later than June 18, 2023 — 180 days after enactment. Registration is now closed. That means no new private owners can register lions under any grandfather provision.
The law does not apply to licensed facilities like zoos and sanctuaries that meet specific standards, as well as state universities and wildlife rehabilitation centers. If you are not operating one of these qualifying institutions, the federal prohibition applies to you fully.
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.
Important Note: The Big Cat Public Safety Act is enforced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Violations are subject to both civil and criminal penalties at the federal level, separate from anything Vermont may impose.
Vermont’s Laws on Owning a Lion
Vermont’s state-level framework for exotic animals predates the federal act and provides its own independent prohibition. The foundation of Vermont’s exotic pet laws stems from 10 V.S.A. § 4709, which states that no person may bring into or possess any live wild bird or animal without proper authorization. This statute has been in place for decades and gives the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department broad authority over all wild animals, including large cats.
Except as otherwise provided by law, it is unlawful for any person to bring into or possess in the State of Vermont any live wild animal, or live ovum or semen thereof, of any kind, unless upon application in writing, the person obtains from the Commissioner a permit to do so — or the species of animal is listed as a domestic bird or animal, domestic pet, or unrestricted wild animal. Lions are not on Vermont’s Unrestricted Wild Animals list, and they would never qualify for it.
Most large carnivores, venomous snakes, primates, and animals posing significant public safety risks face near-certain permit denial. The state’s policy essentially prohibits these species through the permit denial mechanism rather than explicit statutory bans. In practice, this means that even if you applied for a permit to keep a lion, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department would not issue one for private pet ownership.
If you are curious about what exotic animals Vermont does allow, you can explore the broader landscape of exotic pets legal in Vermont to understand which species fall on the unrestricted list and which require permits. For context on other regulated wildlife in the state, the article on whether it is legal to own a raccoon in Vermont offers a useful comparison of how the permit system works for a more common wild animal.
Permits and Requirements for Lion Ownership in Vermont
There is no permit available to a private Vermont resident that would legally allow lion ownership as a pet. However, understanding how Vermont’s permit system works in general is important for anyone researching exotic animal regulations in the state.
To obtain a Wildlife Importation and Possession permit, an applicant must complete the Importation and Possession Permit Application Form and submit it with a $100 application fee and a veterinarian’s certificate certifying that the animal is free of contagious, communicable diseases to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department prior to importing or possessing the animal. Applicants should allow at least 30 days for permit issuance.
For purposes other than importation and possession for bona fide research and educational purposes, the Commissioner shall not issue a permit unless it has been determined that the wild animal or wildlife proposed to be brought into or possessed in the state does not conflict with the purpose of this regulation. A lion kept as a private pet would clearly conflict with the regulation’s purpose of protecting human safety and native wildlife.
The Commissioner establishes a list of Unrestricted Wild Animals that do not conflict with the purpose of the regulation, are commonly sold in the pet trade, and do not require an Importation and Possession Permit from the Department. The Unrestricted Wild Animals list consists of those species determined to pose no threat to the state’s native wildlife, present minimal threat to human health and safety, and prove suitable as pets for state residents. Lions meet none of these criteria.
| Permit Type | Who It Applies To | Does It Allow Private Lion Ownership? |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Importation and Possession Permit | Private individuals seeking to keep wild animals | No — lions would be denied |
| Temporary Exhibition Permit | Persons or businesses exhibiting wild animals temporarily | No — only for qualified exhibitors |
| Dealer’s Permit | Persons or businesses selling or trading wild animals | No — does not authorize possession as a pet |
| Federal USDA License (Class C Exhibitor) | Zoos, sanctuaries, and accredited exhibitors | No — not available for private pet ownership |
Vermont requires anyone who wishes to own an exotic animal to obtain a permit from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. They must also comply with state and federal regulations, such as obtaining appropriate licenses from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Even for species where permits are theoretically available, the dual-layer requirement makes compliance demanding.
Local Laws That May Apply in Vermont
State law is not the only layer of regulation you need to consider. While your state may allow you to keep certain animals as pets, local laws can restrict ownership. Vermont’s 251 cities and towns each have the authority to enact their own animal control ordinances, and many do.
State law represents only part of Vermont’s exotic pet regulatory landscape. A common mistake is assuming that state-level permission guarantees local legality. You should always verify your town or city ordinances before acquiring any exotic animal, because what is legal at the state level may be prohibited in your specific municipality.
Local ordinances in Vermont towns and cities may address dangerous animals through general public safety codes, zoning regulations that restrict what types of animals can be kept on residential or agricultural land, or specific animal control bylaws. Even in rural areas where land is plentiful, a town select board has authority to prohibit the keeping of dangerous animals within municipal boundaries.
Pro Tip: Contact your town clerk or local animal control officer before researching any exotic animal purchase. Municipal rules are not always published online and can be more restrictive than state law.
Beyond municipal ordinances, Vermont’s roadkill laws in Vermont and broader wildlife statutes reflect the state’s general philosophy: wild animals belong in the wild, and the burden of proof is on the owner to demonstrate that keeping any wild species is safe and appropriate. For a broader sense of how Vermont regulates dangerous fauna, the overview of venomous animals in Vermont and poisonous animals in Vermont shows how seriously the state takes public safety around wildlife.
Penalties for Illegally Owning a Lion in Vermont
The consequences of illegally possessing a lion in Vermont are serious and come from multiple directions simultaneously — state enforcement, federal enforcement, or both.
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, Vermont’s penalties for wildlife violations are also significant. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department may dispose of unlawfully possessed or imported wildlife as it may judge best, and the state may collect treble damages from the violator for all expenses incurred. Treble damages means the state can charge you three times the actual cost of seizing, housing, and relocating the animal.
The penalties for violating laws related to owning and exhibiting exotic animals in Vermont can vary depending on the specific infraction. Common penalties may include fines, loss of license or permit, and potential jail time. In some cases, the animal may also be confiscated and removed from the owner’s possession. Repeat offenses or severe violations may result in more significant penalties.
In addition to any court penalties, anyone convicted of illegally taking, destroying, or possessing wild animals must pay, as restitution, into the Fish and Wildlife Fund. In lieu of criminal prosecution for injuring or taking threatened or endangered species, the Agency of Natural Resources can pursue civil enforcement. Civil penalties are capped at $42,500 for a single violation.
- Federal fines: Up to $20,000 per violation under the Big Cat Public Safety Act
- Federal imprisonment: Up to five years for criminal violations
- State civil penalties: Up to $42,500 per violation for endangered or threatened species
- Treble damages: Vermont can charge three times all state expenses related to seizing the animal
- Animal confiscation: The lion would be seized and placed by the state
- Permit revocation: Any existing wildlife permits you hold may be revoked
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.
If you are genuinely passionate about large wild cats, the most legally sound paths are supporting accredited sanctuaries or zoos, or learning more about the species that do share Vermont’s landscape. You can read about how much a mountain lion weighs or explore which American states have mountain lions and what animals eat mountain lions to deepen your understanding of wild felids without running afoul of the law. For a broader look at Vermont’s native wildlife, the guides on types of hawks in Vermont and types of owls in Vermont offer a window into the remarkable animals that legally inhabit the Green Mountain State.
The bottom line is straightforward: owning a lion in Vermont is illegal under both state and federal law, with no realistic permit pathway available to private residents. The financial and criminal penalties are severe, and the animal itself would ultimately be confiscated. If you have questions about a specific exotic species you are considering, contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department directly before making any decisions. For federal questions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Big Cat Public Safety Act guidance is the authoritative resource.