The keeping of monkeys as pets is regulated by state laws in the United States. Some states prohibit the private ownership of monkeys outright while others allow it with varying degrees of restriction.
In general the importation of monkeys into the United States is regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA prohibits the importation of any wildlife that is taken in violation of any foreign law or treaty and also prohibits the importation of any species that is determined to be endangered or threatened.
There are a number of monkey species that are commonly kept as pets including capuchin monkeys marmosets and tamarins. While there is no definitive list of states that allow or prohibit the private ownership of monkeys the following states are known to have laws that either expressly allow or prohibit the keeping of monkeys as pets:
Alabama: Monkeys are not specifically regulated by state law.
Arkansas: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
California: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
Florida: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
Georgia: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Iowa: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Kansas: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Kentucky: Monkeys are not specifically regulated by state law.
Louisiana: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
Maine: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
Maryland: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Massachusetts: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
Michigan: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
Minnesota: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Mississippi: Monkeys are not specifically regulated by state law.
Missouri: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Montana: Monkeys are not specifically regulated by state law.
Nebraska: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Nevada: Monkeys are not specifically regulated by state law.
New Hampshire: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
New Jersey: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
New Mexico: Monkeys are not specifically regulated by state law.
New York: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
North Carolina: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
North Dakota: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Ohio: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Oklahoma: Monkeys are not specifically regulated by state law.
Oregon: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
Pennsylvania: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Rhode Island: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
South Carolina: Monkeys are not specifically regulated by state law.
South Dakota: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Tennessee: Monkeys are not specifically regulated by state law.
Texas: Monkeys are not specifically regulated by state law.
Utah: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
Vermont: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
Virginia: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
Washington: The importation of non-human primates is prohibited.
West Virginia: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Wisconsin: The importation sale and possession of non-human primates is prohibited.
Wyoming: Monkeys are not specifically regulated by state law.
The District of Columbia also prohibits the importation sale and possession of non-human primates.
As this survey shows the keeping of monkeys as pets is largely prohibited by state law in the United States. This is likely due to the potential risks that monkeys can pose to public health and safety as well as the welfare of the animals themselves. If you are considering acquiring a monkey as a pet be sure to check your state and local laws to ensure that it is legal to do so.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of California?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of California.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Colorado?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Colorado.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Connecticut?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Connecticut.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Delaware?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Delaware.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Florida?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Florida.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Georgia?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Georgia.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Hawaii?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Hawaii.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Idaho?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Idaho.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Illinois?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Illinois.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Indiana?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Indiana.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Iowa?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Iowa.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Kansas?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Kansas.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Kentucky?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Kentucky.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Louisiana?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Louisiana.
Is it legal to own a monkey in the state of Maine?
No it is not legal to own a monkey in the state of Maine.
