texas animals pets
Is it against any Texas wildlife regulations to keep a possum as a pet?
<p>Is there a law anywhere in black and white on paper that says it is against the law to keep a possum that was rescued as pet since if would only die if released into the wild?</p>

<p>There sort of is a law, <a href="https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.71.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this one</a>. It does not absolutely forbid owning a possum, but it is required that you have a license to take or keep a wild fur-bearing animal including a possum. There is no existing "license to take and possess as a pet", but you could try under <a href="https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/fur-bearing-animal-regulations/license-requirements" rel="nofollow noreferrer">trapping licenses</a>. However, <a href="https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_lf_w7000_0479_packet.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">they warn</a> that the</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Fur-bearing Propagation Permit does not authorize individuals to
  possess live fur-bearing animals as pets.This IS NOT a “pet permit.”</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Ultimately, what would happen is you apply for a license, but they would deny the application because you don't plan to propagate the animal, or skin it. Although the statute does not specifically prohibit keeping a fur-bearing animal as a pet, it does authorize Parks and Wildlife to promulgate and enforce  regulations.</p>

<p>Another approach would be to seek a <a href="https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.43.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">wild animal rehabilitation permit</a>, pursuant to PWD regulations (<a href="https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/rehab/regs/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>). This is also not a general pet permit, but in case your program of possum rehabilitation fails, you are not required to kill it or release it into the wild to die. There is a test required, to be sure you know how to rehabilitate wild animals, plus a requirement for letters of support from conservationists, veterinarians or rehabilitators.</p>

<p>I wanted to add a piece to @user6726 comment for anyone that comes across this answer which both of you may also find helpful.  IANAL so I defer, and your local animal control, authority figure, etc may not be smart enough to know the difference, but...</p>
<p>If you forego the propagation (breeding, I believe) and trapping licenses (there appear to be many others as well), there's this tidbit:</p>
<p><strong>EDIT: This is the same statute listed above by @user6726, and it has quite a bit of info in it.  This part of it, specifically, may help..</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.71.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.71.htm</a></p>
<p>Specifically, subsection (d) under section 71.005:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Sec. 71.005.  LICENSES REQUIRED.</p>
<p>(a)  Except as provided by this section and Section 71.004(a), no
person may <strong>take</strong> a fur-bearing animal or a pelt in this state unless
the person has acquired and possesses a trapper's license.</p>
<p>(b)  Except as provided by commission regulation, no person may
purchase, possess after purchase, or transport for commercial purposes
a pelt or carcass taken in this state unless the person has acquired
and possesses a retail fur buyer's or wholesale fur dealer's license.</p>
<p>(c)  No person may capture or possess a live fur-bearing animal for
any purpose, except as otherwise authorized by this code, unless he
has acquired and possesses a fur-bearing animal propagation license.</p>
<p>(d)  A person who possesses a hunting license may take and possess a
fur-bearing animal if:</p>
<p>(1)  neither the fur-bearing animal nor any part of that animal is
taken for the purpose of sale, barter, or exchange;  and</p>
<p>(2)  the number of fur-bearing animals taken does not exceed the daily
bag limit or possession limit set by commission regulation.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>also, just to cover the bases regarding 'take' above:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Sec. 71.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subtitle: (8)  &quot;Take&quot; means the
act of snaring, trapping, shooting, killing, or capturing by any means
and includes an attempt to take.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Assuming your locality does not ban wild animals entirely or opossums specifically (or both) to include both city and county, this may be the loophole for the Texas restriction on it being a fur-bearing animal, and as per the statute that regulates them you are able to take and possess them with a hunting license so long as it doesn't violate those stipulations.</p>
<p><a href="https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/fur-bearing-animal-regulations/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/fur-bearing-animal-regulations/</a></p>
<p>I hope that helps anyone searching, but again IANAL.</p>
