Pet Bear Legal States 2025

Where Are Pet Bears Legal in the United States?

Even though there are a lot of people who enjoy having a dog or a cat as a pet, there are some people who are looking for something a bit more exotic. For example, some pet owners are interested in keeping a pet bear. While they definitely are not common pets, there are states within the U.S. that allow residents to keep bears as pets.

The states in the country where it is legal to own a pet bear include Alabama, Delaware, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. These states may have slightly different rules and regulations about the qualifications for owning a pet bear, so it is important for people to reach out to the authorities to learn more.

Nine other states may allow pet bears if the owner gets a permit to own one. However, these permits are usually costly. In addition, they often require check-ins by state or local agencies to determine whether the person has the correct facilities to house and care for a bear.

Is Having a Pet Bear Safe?

Having a pet bear can be extremely dangerous. They are large, strong, and difficult to predict. With just a single swipe of the paw, it is possible for a bear to cause serious injuries. Therefore, having a pet bear is not necessarily safe, and it is important for people to make sure they take appropriate precautions to minimize the chances of getting hurt. This is particularly important if there are other people around.

Having a pet bear can be difficult. It is important to remember that even though bears can be trained to be comfortable with humans, they can never be fully domesticated. This means that, unlike a dog or a cat, a bear will never be completely submissive to a person.

How Do You Take Care of a Pet Bear?

If you are interested in taking care of a pet bear, there are several key points to keep in mind. First, you need to make sure that you provide your pet bear with enough food. Bears eat a tremendous amount of food during the course of the day, and if you do not provide them with enough food, they will look for it elsewhere.

Next, you need to make sure your pet bear is trained as much as possible. Just like you train your dog or your cat to be comfortable in a human environment, you need to make sure that your bear is comfortable in this specific situation as well.

Finally, you need to make sure you give your bear enough space to spread out. Typically, bears are solitary creatures. If you confine them to a relatively small area, they will be more likely to get angry. Take the necessary precautions if you decide to own a pet bear.