Can I own a fox in Illinois?
Emma Martin
Published Mar 16, 2026
Can I own a fox in Illinois?
To put it simply: yes, foxes are legal in Illinois. Note: A fur-bearing mammal breeder permit is required to own a fox. However, a permit is not needed to own a fennec fox (Vulpes zerda).
How much does a tamed fox cost?
First, bringing one into the United States costs almost $9,000. Several states outright ban people from keeping foxes as pets, including California, New York, Texas and Oregon. And of course, while domesticated foxes are friendlier than those in the wild, they can still be unpredictable.
Can you buy tamed foxes?
The reality is they don’t make great pets, and in some states it is illegal to own one. Foxes are wild animals, meaning they have not been domesticated. Unlike other species like dogs and cats, which have been bred to live easily with people, foxes don’t do well as indoor animals.
How much do foxes cost?
The cost of a fox varies greatly. It can be as little as $500 or as much as $6,000. It’s also important to keep in mind that this price is only for the animal itself. Feeding, housing and cleaning a fox adds up to much more.
How can I get a pet fox?
They’re a little unconventional, and they require a little bit of extra attention, but if you want a pet fox, you can have a pet fox. All you need is $8,000 and the approval of Kay Fedewa, the exclusive importer of domesticated foxes in the US.
Are wolfdogs legal in Illinois?
States differ in regulating ownership of wolves and wolf hybrids, Bromwell said, but in Illinois it is illegal to own any animal which the owner represents as a wolf. Suspecting the animal might be a wolf, Buetow brought in a wildlife biologist and veterinarians to help with its identification.
Is it legal to keep a fox as a pet?
Answer: No foxes are legal in California.
Can a fox breed with a dog?
Can foxes and dogs make babies? Short answer: no, they can’t. They simply don’t have compatible parts. Foxes and dogs diverged (that is, veered off from their common ancestor and became separate species) over 7 million years ago, and have evolved into very different creatures that cannot cross-breed.
Can you tame a fox?
A domesticated fox is one that has been bred in captivity. These foxes will cuddle and display other types of pet-like behavior, and they even look different from wild foxes. If released into the wild, they probably wouldn’t survive. Tame foxes, on the other hand, are still wild animals.
Where can I own a fox?
Pet Fox Legal States 2021
- Arkansas – All Fox Species Allowed, No Permit Required.
- Florida – All Fox Species Allowed With Permit.
- Indiana – All Fox Species Allowed With Permit.
- Kentucky – All Fox Species Allowed No Permit Required.
- Michigan – All Fox Species Allowed With Permit for Native Species.
Are Lynx legal in Illinois?
Wolves (and hybrids) and lions, tigers, leopards, ocelots, jaguars, cheetahs, margays, mountain lions, lynxes, bobcats, and jaguarundis (and hybrids thereof) are illegal to possess in Illinois unless the person has authorization from the Department of Natural Resources to bring them into the State and the person has a …