Oregon to stop issuing exotics permits

Portland, Ore.

-- The Oregon Department of Agriculture, as directed by state lawmakers in 2009, will stop issuing new exotic animal permits beginning in January 2011.

Existing exotic owners will be able to get their permits renewed, but no new permits will be issued under revised guidelines, according to state leaders.

Animals considered exotic in Oregon include felines not indigenous to the state with the exception of all domestic cats, non-wolf canines not indigenous to Oregon with the exception of domestic dogs, non-human primates, all bears except black bears, and all members of the crocodile family.

The goal is for Oregon to be exotics-free once all the currently permitted exotic animals in Oregon die out.