Rhode Island § 4-18-6 - Importation of Wild Animals

§ 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.