Legal/Illegal Snake Business

Raan · 04-07-12, 05:21 PM

Hey guys so I have a quick question since I know that there are many people on this forum who breed and sell there own snakes. I was wondering and I can asume it not specific to Canada but what is the legal form of selling snakes and breeding snakes for retail purposes. If anyone from Canada can let me know of any bylaws they had to watch out for , small business permits, anything of the such or if anything at all if you are to just run it out of your own house. Its for a school project so if anyone has some knowledge please share

**lady_bug87** · 04-07-12, 05:56 PM

Reptile bylaws change depending on what city or municipality you live in. In terms of the selling bylaws those would also be found on a city website. It also depends on how large or small your breeding operation is and how much money you intend to make from it

Other than that I cannot help. Good Luck!

**millertime89** · 04-07-12, 06:35 PM

in the US the only time you need a permit is if you have an actual storefront, if you do it out of your home the government doesn't care as long as you do your taxes correctly as far as I know. It might be different for different cities or states though.

Lankyrob · 04-08-12, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

in the US the only time you need a permit is if you have an actual storefront, if you do it out of your home the government doesn't care as long as you do your taxes correctly as far as I know. It might be different for different cities or states though.

Pretty much the same thing in the UK - as long as you arent selling hots

**millertime89** · 04-08-12, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Pretty much the same thing in the UK - as long as you arent selling hots

Hots are a different story, a lot of communities have laws either outright banning them or requiring permits. Large snakes are similar but it seems fewer cities, counties and states have laws regulating them.

jarich · 04-08-12, 01:58 PM

Id check that again. There are some pretty strict laws on registering for the sale of live animals in some states. Here in NYC there are a number of permits/registries you must have to legally sell live animals.

Raan · 04-08-12, 02:10 PM

I couldnt really find any laws banning the selling of any animal. But there are bylaws of prohibited snakes which is anything venomous and snakes over 3meters(9.84ft) for my area atleast

**millertime89** · 04-08-12, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

Id check that again. There are some pretty strict laws on registering for the sale of live animals in some states. Here in NYC there are a number of permits/registries you must have to legally sell live animals.

The US, individual communities all have their own rules.

exwizard · 04-08-12, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millertime89

The US, individual communities all have their own rules.

This is true. Here in Iowa you cant own (much less sell) Retics, Anacondas, African Rocks or anything venomous. In Des Moines, you cant own anything over 6' unless you have a permit. If you cant own them, you cant sell them either. In Omaha, you cant own any species that is known to get over 8' and that translates into not having them available at the Reptile Shows either. Other cities ban all "venomous and constrictors". That covers almost all of them. Other cities allow everything the state allows. Its a patchwork and you really have to know what the local ordinances are.

knox · 04-08-12, 06:31 PM

I know we are getting off track here, but in TN you have to have a permit for Native Species - Corns, Kings, Rats, Garters. And in GA, I don't even believe you can OWN native species, much less breed and sell them. That leaves out Corns, Kings, Garters, Rats, pretty much any Colubrid.

exwizard · 04-08-12, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knox

I know we are getting off track here, but in TN you have to have a permit for Native Species - Corns, Kings, Rats, Garters. And in GA, I don't even believe you can OWN native species, much less breed and sell them. That leaves out Corns, Kings, Garters, Rats, pretty much any Colubrid.

Oh yeah I forgot. We cant have any native species here either. That includes Hognoses and Bullsnakes.

The point is that every city, county or state has their own ordinances/laws and its really up to the individual snake owner to know what those laws are. That having been said, if these laws are not broken then buying/selling snakes is perfectly legal in most areas without a permit in the US.

**lady_bug87** · 04-08-12, 06:35 PM

What everyone is forgetting is that the OP is CANADIAN while this info is all very useful lets remember that stuff here is different.

exwizard · 04-08-12, 06:38 PM

Sorry, youre right I did forget. If I were there, I would check into the local bylaws there and see what can or cannot be done as far as that is concerned.

**lady_bug87** · 04-08-12, 06:46 PM

This is the Orangeville Animal Bylaws. What you can sell is also determinant on WHERE you're selling. For example I know a breeder who produces BPs and lives in Barrie but he cannot sell Pythons in Barrie due to a bylaw

http://www.orangeville.org/cms/docum...trol_bylaw.pdf

All of this stuff is available on the web

Caylan · 04-08-12, 06:53 PM

For further confusion, some bylaws, like Kelowna for example, only prohibit the owning of said animals, while sales of them in are still fine. I can find common boa constricors in the petstores all around town, but it's illegal for any one in Kelowna to own one?! I guess tourists come here to buy boas more then I thought.... The pdf posted by Lori is probably your best bet for information. Good luck!