Do exotic animals need to be registered?

Calgary is a city with strict controls on pet ownership. However, the term “exotic animals” is not explicitly defined in municipal legislation, including the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw (47M2021). All animals are divided into the following main groups: domestic animals, livestock, urban livestock (such as chickens or bees), and wildlife.

Owners of traditional animals — cats and dogs — are required to register their pets under a regular license that must be renewed annually. Stricter rules apply to other groups, especially when it comes to non-traditional or exotic animals.

What are exotic and controlled animals?

At the municipal level, Calgary does not have a separate direct definition of an “exotic animal.” The law distinguishes between:

  • Animal — any bird, reptile, amphibian, or mammal, except humans and wildlife.

  • Wildlife — animals defined by Alberta legislation (Wildlife Act): these include coyotes, deer, moose, beavers, wild rabbits, porcupines, skunks, lynxes, etc. They are strictly prohibited as pets or require a special provincial permit.

  • Livestock/Urban Livestock — cattle and small livestock (chickens, bees, pigeons). A special municipal permit (license) is required to keep such animals.

“Exotic” animals are usually considered to be domestic mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians that are not typical for Alberta or Canada (e.g., snakes, lizards, turtles, monkeys, tarantulas, parrots, fennec foxes, capybaras, and iguanas). However, if such species are not included in the province's “Wildlife” or “Controlled Animals” lists, their keeping is not subject to registration in the municipal system but may be subject to restrictions at the Alberta or Canadian level.

Rules for specific groups of exotic animals

1. Wild and dangerous animals

(Controlled Animals) Among exotic species, the most attention is paid to animals that are included in Alberta's “Controlled Animals” list (see Controlled Animals Alberta). This list is dozens of pages long — from monkeys, crocodiles, and snakes to predatory cats, fauna from other continents, and some unique rodents.

Keeping such animals is:

  • Prohibited by private individuals or permitted only with a special provincial (and sometimes federal) permit, which is usually difficult to obtain.
  • Import or movement also requires a permit from the Canadian Import Control Agency (e.g., for primates or tigers).

2. Urban Livestock

Other atypical animals, such as chickens, pigeons, bees, mini pigs, or miniature horses, can only be registered with a municipal permit and according to strict procedures:

  • For chickens, bees, and pigeons, there is an Urban Livestock Permit system.

  • For keeping livestock as emotional support animals (LESA, Livestock Emotional Support Animal), there is a separate LESA process with a psychotherapist's conclusion and a home inspection.

3. Exotic pets (tropical fish, small rodents, small reptiles)

For small exotic pets, such as hamsters, gerbils, small lizards, snakes, parrots, and fauna not listed as “Wildlife” or “Controlled Animals,” no city license registration is required. However, apartment buildings/residential complexes may have their own rules or a complete ban on certain species (e.g., spiders, snakes, birds — by separate decisions of the condo/residential management). The list of permitted species should be clarified upon moving in.

4. Exotic species that are not prohibited

There are a number of exotic species (e.g., African pygmy hedgehogs, some small turtles or lizards, decorative parrots, axolotls) whose keeping is not restricted by city or provincial law. However, there are requirements for care, humane treatment, veterinary safety, and not causing inconvenience to neighbors. When selling or transporting an exotic animal between provinces, check the list of restricted/controlled species.

When and who needs a permit or registration

You need a city permit in Calgary if you keep:

  • Chickens, pigeons, bees (Urban Livestock Permit)
  • Livestock for emotional support (LESA)

You need a provincial/federal permit if:

  • The animal is listed as a Controlled Animal in Alberta (e.g., monkeys, wolves, giant cats, crocodiles, some snakes, skunks, foxes, etc.)
  • You plan to import or transport such an animal

No permit/registration is required in Calgary if:

  • Your exotic pet is not listed as Controlled and is not a wild/agricultural animal (e.g., rats (except Norwegian rats), hamsters, mini reptiles, birds — if permitted by the building management).

Restrictions may be set separately for multi-unit dwellings/housing programs.

Penalties for violation

Without a permit for an exotic or controlled animal, the owner violates Bylaw 47M2021, Wildlife Act, Controlled Animals Regulation and may:

  • Receive fines (city and provincial levels, amounts vary depending on the nature of the violation)

  • Have the animal seized, deported, or destroyed

  • Be subject to administrative or criminal liability (especially if the animal is dangerous to humans, the ecosystem, or other animals).

Practical advice for owners

  • Before purchasing an exotic animal, check all Controlled Animals and Wildlife lists at the Alberta and federal levels. Make sure the species is not prohibited!

  • Contact your city's Animal Services (311, or pets.calgary.ca) if you are unsure of an animal's status or whether it requires registration.

  • Condo managers may impose additional internal restrictions even on species that are permitted by city and provincial law.

Conclusion

Most small exotic pets in Calgary do not require registration. However, there is a strict permit system in place for keeping farm animals, certain birds, bees, and livestock as emotional support animals. Animals listed on the Controlled Animals Alberta list and the Wildlife Act are generally prohibited from private ownership. If you are unsure whether your pet requires registration or a special permit, please consult Animal Services, Alberta legal resources, or your municipal government for advice.

Recommendation for new Ukrainians in Calgary: before getting an exotic animal, be sure to learn about the current laws — this will save you time and money and protect your pet from potential penalties.