Generally, no. Federal law makes it unlawful to possess a live lion in the United States unless a narrow exception applies. A state or local rule that permits big-cat ownership cannot override that federal restriction. The one-time registration route for qualifying owners who already had eligible animals closed on June 18, 2023.
What does federal law say about owning a lion?
The Big Cat Public Safety Act (BCPSA), signed on December 20, 2022, includes lions (Panthera leo) among eight prohibited wildlife species. The law restricts possession and breeding, as well as specified conduct involving import, export, transport, sale, receipt, acquisition and purchase. Its requirements apply alongside other federal, state, Tribal and territorial rules.
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The other named species are tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, jaguars, cheetahs and cougars. Hybrids of the covered species are included too. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) puts the state-law point plainly: “Even if your state law allows private big cat ownership, you must have registered your big cat with the USFWS by June 18, 2023, unless another exception of the Act applies.”
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Who may qualify for an exception?
The exceptions are tied to the owner’s status, the animal and the circumstances of possession. They are not general permits for keeping a lion as a household pet.
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| Owner or recipient category | How the exception works |
|---|---|
| Qualifying exhibitor | May qualify if licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the statutory conditions are met. |
| Registered federal facility | May qualify based on the facility’s qualifying registration and applicable conditions. |
| State college or university, or state agency | May qualify when the institution or agency meets the statutory requirements. |
| State-licensed veterinarian | May qualify in the circumstances covered by the law; veterinary licensure alone should not be read as an unrestricted pet-ownership authorization. |
| Qualifying wildlife sanctuary | May qualify if it meets the Act’s requirements. |
| Transporter | A limited exception may apply when an animal is moved expeditiously to a qualifying recipient. |
| Ordinary private owner | No general pet-owner exception. A narrow route was available for certain eligible animals already possessed when the Act was enacted, subject to timely registration and continuing conditions. |
The details are set out in the BCPSA and its implementing federal regulation. Whether an exception applies depends on the facts; a person should not assume that an organization’s name, a state permit or an animal’s history is enough on its own.
Can someone register a privately owned lion now?
No. The limited pre-Act route applied only to certain animals already in a person’s possession when the BCPSA was enacted on December 20, 2022. The owner had to register by June 18, 2023, and continue to satisfy the exception’s requirements. That deadline has passed, and USFWS says it cannot extend the statutory registration period. It is not an open application process for someone who acquired a lion later or missed the deadline.
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For owners who qualified and registered on time, registration did not authorize unrestricted possession or transfer. The exception bars breeding, acquisition or sale after December 20, 2022, and bars direct public contact. USFWS also instructs registrants to report certain changes, including the animal’s death or a new location, within 10 calendar days.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesDo state or local laws change the answer?
They can add restrictions or permit requirements, but they cannot cancel the federal prohibition. Rules differ among states and may also be imposed by Tribal governments, territories, counties or municipalities. A state-specific answer therefore requires checking current rules for the exact place where the animal would be kept; an older nationwide summary of state laws may no longer describe the applicable requirements.
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What are the legal risks, and what should an existing owner do?
USFWS warns that violations may result in civil or criminal penalties, including fines or imprisonment. Animals involved in prohibited conduct are also subject to seizure and forfeiture. The agency’s guidance does not establish a current national count of pet lions or a current lion-specific incident rate, so those figures should not be inferred from historical estimates about captive big cats generally.
If the owner may qualify for an exception
Check the exact statutory category and its conditions against the animal’s history, the owner’s status and the applicable records. A past registration alone should not be treated as permission to breed, acquire, sell or allow public contact.
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If the owner does not qualify and did not register on time
USFWS says the animal may be donated to an entity that qualifies under the Act. If donation is not possible, contact the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement to discuss abandonment. Because the outcome depends on ownership history, registration and location, this general information is not a determination of any individual’s legal position.
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