Are Fennec Foxes legal in South Carolina?

Answer 1

Yes, Fennecs are legal in Florida. They do require a class 3 permit through Florida Fish and Wildlife (Google them, and look for permits). It is illegal for breeders to sell them to you without your proof of permit. I have one, and STRONGLY recommend you babysit one (or at LEAST spend time with them) before you lock-in to getting one. They are very high maintenance creatures and require a Lot of house-proofing (ex. kiss your houseplants goodbye).

Answer 2

No. SC does not directly ban them but instead makes it impossible to get one. They ban the sale of them within the state and do not issue permits to import one from another state.

Title 47 - Animals, Livestock and Poultry

CHAPTER 5.

RABIES CONTROL

SECTION 47-5-20. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Carnivore" means a flesh-eating animal and includes those animals known to be reservoirs of rabies including, but not limited to, raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bobcats and related species including, but not limited to, coyotes, wolves, wolf dogs, weasels, civet cats, spotted skunks, and lynx or the offspring born to any combinations of crossbreeding between these wild animals and domestic dogs or cats.

(3) "Domesticated animal" means owned or stray cats, dogs, and ferrets or other animals for which there exists a rabies vaccine approved by the department and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture.

SECTION 47-5-50. Prohibition on sale of wild carnivores as pets; sale of domesticated ferrets.

(A) No carnivores, which normally are not domesticated, may be sold as pets in this State. A carnivore kept by an individual must not be allowed to run at large and then returned to confinement. A normally wild animal indigenous to this State, if held captive for a period of time, may be released to the wild. This section does not apply to domesticated ferrets. However, no ferret may be sold in this State without proper and current vaccination against rabies. Evidence of rabies vaccination is a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. A person who purchases or possesses a domesticated ferret shall maintain proper vaccination treatment for it annually.

(D) This section does not apply to the sale, purchase, donation, or transfer of ownership of carnivores between publicly-owned zoos or animal dealers located in this State and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Animal Welfare Act on the effective date of this chapter. These exemptions do not allow for the sale, purchase, donation, or transfer of ownership to private individuals in this State. Any public displays, showings, or exhibitions of wild carnivores, primates, or any other animals for which a USDA licensed rabies vaccine does not exist are allowed only when these displays, showings, or exhibitions prevent any possible contact by these animals with the members of the general public.