§ 4-18-6. Exempted importations.
(a) Short term nonresident exhibitions. Animals subject to this chapter may be brought into the state for short term nonresident
exhibition purposes without permit. Animal(s) permitted entry under this section shall
not be disposed of by sale, trade or gift during the period within this state. Short
term nonresident exhibition purposes shall not exceed thirty (30) days.
(b) Animal breeding. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 4-18-5, animals being moved for breeding purposes as part of a recognized animal colony
established for experimental breeding of animals in captivity, may be moved for this
purpose upon issuance of permit provided that the conditions specified by the department
in the permit are adhered to in full.
(c) Personal pets under special permit. Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 4-18-4 and 4-18-5, a permit may be granted by the department to import a wild animal as a personal
pet, if a written affidavit or declaration under penalty of perjury is completed at
the time of entry at the site of first arrival and transmitted either by mail or in
person to the department immediately. The affidavit or declaration under penalty of
perjury shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) The number and true scientific name of the species being imported as required in § 4-18-3;
(2) The date and location of acquisition of the pet animal;
(3) A statement of the place or premises where the animal will be held in quarantine pending
completion of veterinary examination;
(4) An agreement that within ten (10) days the department will be notified of the name
and address of the veterinarian who conducts examinations and tests required by the
department, and that the required import fees be paid within the ten (10) days.
(d) Zoological collections and managed propagation facilities accredited by the American
zoo and aquarium association (AZA) and licensed by the United States department of
agriculture (USDA). Animals subject to this chapter may be brought into the state or propagated for zoological
exhibition purposes without permit if imported or born directly to a facility which
is both AZA accredited and USDA licensed. The facilities shall comply with departmental
import/possession specifications prior to importation. The importation/possession
requirements may include but are not limited to: disease diagnostic tests, veterinary
procedures and examinations, and individual identification requirements for the importation/possession
of each animal subject to this chapter. The department reserves the right to immediate
examination and testing of the imported/possessed wild animals when there is probable
cause as determined by the department to suspect that the animals are harboring diseases
or parasites suspected of endangering public health or the health of domestic animals,
or that of native wild animals. Measures deemed necessary to protect domestic animals,
public health, and native wild animals may include but are not limited to: quarantine,
treatment, seizure, destruction, and postmortem examination. The department shall
be notified within three (3) months of the death of any animal subject to this chapter.
Furthermore, the department shall be notified immediately upon the death of any animal
subject to this chapter which death may have resulted from infectious, contagious,
or zoonotic disease or upon the escape of any animal subject to this chapter.