Can a koala be kept as a pet in the United States?

Answer 1

No. It is illegal to have a koala as a pet anywhere in the world. They are protected, native animals of Australia, and there are severe restrictions on zoos keeping them, let alone private individuals. It does not matter which country of the world you are in: you may not have a pet koala.

Quite simply, koalas are a protected species. This means it is illegal to have a koala. Few people understand the needs of a koala, and opening up native (or, as in the case overseas, exotic) animals to being owned as pets leads the way to abuse.

Answer 2

Kangaroos are most certainly illegal pets in the US, but very few people realise this. Many people believe they have a right to keep kangaroos as pets.

The Australian government has only permitted the export of kangaroos overseas for non-commercial purposes. This means that smaller, private zoos have been permitted to have them. It also means it is illegal for anyone to sell kangaroos as pets.

Despite permitting the export of these animals, this still does not mean that kangaroos may be kept as pets. Anyone who sells kangaroos overseas is, in effect, flouting Australian law by exploiting them for commercial purposes. It also increases the likelihood of abuse. Reports coming back to the RSPCA in Australia indicate that some of these animals have ended up in shelters.