Authorized pets

Last updated March 19, 2021

In Montréal, only certain types of pets are authorized.

List of authorized pets

The following species:

  • dogs (except hybrids, for example, a dog that is a cross between a wolf and a domestic dog)
  • cats
  • rabbit
  • ferret or other domestic rodent weighing less than 1.5 kg
  • sugar glider born in captivity
  • hedgehog born in captivity, except one from the genus Erinaceus

Birds born in captivity, except the following species:

  • ostrich
  • duck
  • goose
  • cassowary
  • swan
  • turkey
  • emu
  • pheasant
  • screamer and other waterfowl
  • kiwi
  • rhea
  • goose
  • flightless birds and other Struthioniformes
  • Guinea fowl
  • hen
  • grouse and other Galliformes

Reptiles born in captivity, except the following species: 

  • alligators
  • crocodiles, gavials and other crocodilians
  • lizard whose length, at adult age, reaches more than two metres
  • venomous lizards
  • snake whose length, at adult age, reaches more than three metres
  • venomous snakes
  • turtles in the Trionychidae family
  • marine turtles

The following species:

  • American toad
  • wood frog
  • north frog
  • northern leopard frog
  • green frog
  • mudpuppy
  • bullfrog
  • eastern newt
  • all exotic amphibians, except venomous amphibians

Fish permitted to be kept in captivity in accordance with the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife.

It is prohibited to keep in captivity an animal that is not on this list.

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