How To Apply For a Restricted Species Exhibiting Permit

Please read Section 671, Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations before completing the Restricted Species Application and Inventory of Animals. Applications and inventory forms must be completed in full. Incomplete applications and/or inventory forms will be returned. Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing. Note: applications requiring Fish and Game Commission approval will require additional time.

In addition to a completed application and inventory of animals, the following must be included:

1. A statement of purpose/use for all animals, including any brochures and flyers, promoting or describing their use.

2. A resume which includes the applicant's qualifying experience. Experience is defined as the equivalent of at least two years, full-time, hands-on general experience caring for wild animals at a California permitted facility. This experience shall include a total of one year hands on experience by the applicant or his/her fulltime employee specifically caring for restricted species in the same family or closely related taxonomic family as the species applied for.

3. A letter of recommendation (on organization letterhead paper) from the permitted facility that documents the extent of the applicant's knowledge and length of experience in handling and caring for the species applied for.

4. A copy of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) license and a copy of the most recently completed USDA facility inspection form. This requirement is waived for new resident applicants. If approved, permittees that have mammals must apply for and obtain a USDA license.

Nonresidents must include an itinerary for exhibiting the animals in California, including the dates and cities. Nonresidents may also be required to provide proof of financial responsibility in the form of an insurance bond or other financial guarantee payable to the DFG, local government agency or entity contracting for the animals.

The Department of Fish and Game is concerned about any activity which may increase the demand for restricted species in California. Therefore, applications for permits to import and exhibit restricted species are evaluated and approved according to the Fish and Game Commission's policy: "The Department shall encourage education programs that increase the public's respect and concern for wild animals, and their knowledge of the interrelationships between wild animals, their environment, and their human neighbors. The Department shall not support any program increasing the demand for possession or ownership of restricted species as pets." All programs must include clear verbal and written messages that the animals are working animals and not pets, and private ownership of restricted species is illegal and dangerous for the animals and people. Applicants must provide documentation explaining why restricted species are necessary for their program instead of species that are not restricted.

A responsible presentation:

• Emphasizes the biological, economic and natural importance of the animals.

• Provides a clear message in a variety of ways, that these animals are restricted species, may only
be possessed by qualified individuals, and cannot be possessed as pets in California.

• Includes a message that emphasizes and focuses primarily on the natural history of the animal and provides a clear connection between the animal and the message.

• Presents animals in a natural setting and natural behavior patterns.

Important Information from the Department of Health Services!

Due to potential health hazards the Department of Health Services (DHS) has regulatory authority over the importation of specified carnivores (including skunks and raccoons), nonhuman primates and bats.

Section 2606.8 of Title 17, California Code of Regulations, prohibits the importation of skunks because the hazard to the public from exposure to rabies is extremely high. The DHS is concerned that certain wild animals could carry rabies and introduce new strains of rabies into California. Therefore, the Department of Fish and Game typically denies requests for the importation and possession of skunks and raccoons, with possible exceptions for zoological and research institutions. For more information on DHS permits, please call (916) 327-0332.

DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME OFFICES