(a) No person shall keep or permit to be kept, breed or permit to be bred, any live wild or exotic animal as defined in section 612.02. This section shall not apply to animal programs operated by Loudoun County Public Schools; wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife exhibitors or veterinary clinics which are properly licensed or permitted by the federal government or Commonwealth of Virginia; scientific research facilities; Conservation police or Animal Control Officers managing or transporting said animals in the line of duty; the Department temporarily housing said animals, or a wildlife sanctuary as defined under the federal Lacey Act (16 USC 3371-3378).
(b) An Animal Control Officer or Other Officer may seize, capture, or confiscate any wild or exotic animal as defined in section 612.02. In the event that an owned/possessed wild or exotic animal is found to be running at large, it will be confiscated. The owner or guardian of such animal shall be required to pay a fee determined by, and paid to, the Department to cover its actual costs incurred in locating, capturing, and housing said animal.
(c) Any Loudoun County resident who possesses a wild or exotic animal in the County as of the date of the adoption of this section may lawfully retain such animal until such time as it dies of natural causes, is euthanized or is legally relocated, provided the owner registers the animal with the Department within 60 days of the adoption of this section. At the time of registration, the owner must provide complete information, including but not limited to: age, sex, color, species and number of prohibited animals, location of animals housed on the property, and photographs of individual animals, in addition to the owner’s name, proof of residency, address, phone number and email address. Animals allowed under this subsection must be contained in a manner that is species-appropriate which also meets the definition of ‘adequate shelter’ contained in the Code of Virginia. Shelter of the animal(s) shall be inspected by an Animal Control Officer following the Department’s receipt of registration. Custody of any animal, regardless of species, remains subject to applicable local, state and federal law with regard to welfare, husbandry and ownership.
(Ord. 23-06. Passed 3-7-23.)