Monkeys are people’s best friends and they can be kept as pets in most countries around the world. They’re intelligent animals who need plenty of attention and stimulation in order to thrive. Monkeys can be trained to learn new tricks and follow specific orders.
It is legal to keep monkeys as pets in 24 states in the United States. These states have specific laws about keeping monkeys as pets. This article will list all of the states that allow monkeys as pets and discuss the requirements for ownership in each state.
Are Monkeys Good Pets?
Monkeys are not a good choice as pets. Monkeys are generally very hearty and healthy, but they can be unpredictable. Pet Monkeys also require special medical care and training to make them safe for human contact.
Monkeys are incredibly smart and have a great deal of personality. Monkeys can be trained to do tricks or learn new behaviors through positive reinforcement training.
Monkeys For Adoption
Monkeys for adoption is a great way to have a pet in your home without feeling overwhelmed. Monkeys can make great pets, but they are not ideal for everyone. It is also important to keep pet monkeys away from any small children who do not know how to treat animals properly.
Things that you should know before adopting a monkey:
1) Monkeys cannot stay outside all day long; they need shade and protection from the sun’s rays when they are outside. Monkeys also need plenty of water at all times so that they do not get dehydrated easily.
2) Monkeys eat mostly fruits and vegetables with some meat every now and then (such as chicken wings), but they don’t eat much meat at all.
3) Monkeys require constant companionship—they’re social animals who need lots of interaction with people in order to thrive in captivity.
4) Monkeys are loud. Monkeys have very loud voices that they use to communicate with each other—and sometimes they’ll use them while they’re alone. This can be very unsettling for owners who aren’t used to having constant background noise around them all day long.
5) Monkeys can be aggressive towards humans if they feel threatened or frightened by their surroundings (such as having too much space between them and their owner).
Are Pet Monkeys Legal in The United States?
In the United States of America, there are no exact direct laws saying that animals that are termed to be exotic cannot or must not be kept as pets. However, most states have made up some state laws concerning the ownership of such exotic animals to protect against the illegal and cruelty sometimes involved in owning these animals.
Exotic animals are those animals such as wild cats, reptiles, other extremely harmful carnivores, and exotic monkeys or other primates that are not humans. While it may be a wild and exciting feeling to want to keep such animals as pets, there are always dangers associated with them. They could harm children, or even attack their owners or neighbors, or visitors to whom they are not accustomed.
Also since they are used to being in the wild where they have no restrictions on where to move and where not to, keeping them in the confines of a small property might affect them psychologically. They could also be the lead causes of disease outbreaks especially when they have just been brought from the wild.
Some also have unique nutritional needs and special diets that humans might not be able to offer, therefore it might lead to malnutrition and neglect. These concerns have led various states to either restrict or prohibit the ownership of certain exotic species.
States That Allow Pet Monkeys In The United States
Here is a list of 24 states in the United States which permit the legal ownership of at least one species of exotic monkeys although many require and request a monkey license or permit before that is possible.
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Nevada
- Florida
- Arizona
- North Dakota
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Nebraska
- Tennessee
- Kansas
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- North Carolina
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- West Virginia
The states which allow monkeys as pets usually set up some state agencies that issue permits to qualified applicants before they can acquire exotic animals. Applicants will then be required to provide a series of documents to fully describe the details of the animals they wish to own. Some of those details include:
- Ways to physically identify the animal which could include the animal’s age, sex, species, color, height, and so on.
- The animal’s photograph is in colored format.
- Description and address of where the animal will be kept or housed.
- Proof that the animal has been checked up by a vet.
- Proof of liability insurance.
Also, the regulations these states provide are different depending on the needs and situation of that state. Make sure you understand those regulations very well, before applying for a license to own a monkey. Study them carefully, and make a decision based on that.
Challenges of Keeping Monkey as a Pet
An exotic monkey might look interesting and attractive to keep but there have been several issues that have been raised concerning if it is worth keeping these animals as pets. While there are over 15,000 pet monkeys located in the United States, there is no denying that monkeys are very spontaneous animals and could be a source of so much harm. Some of these include :
#1. Herpes Simplex Virus
These viruses cause common illnesses in humans such as cold sores and are often propagated by monkeys like marmosets and tamarins which get infected and then spread to their human owners. In fact, those who are susceptible to cold sores or have very high tendencies of contracting cold sores should never keep such monkeys as pets.
These monkeys can also transmit this virus to other monkeys they come in contact with. Care really needs to be taken because some species of monkeys are actually carriers of these diseases but do not come down with them, rather they are asymptomatic carriers while to other primates, it is very deadly.
#2. Scars From Monkey
Most times, animals or pets might become too excited while playing with their owners and cause them harm such as scratches, cuts, or wounds and bruises from stronger animals such as monkeys. Pet owners need to be very careful when dealing or playing with their pets as well as when their pets are angry to prevent getting harmed by these animals.
Because when they get cut or bitten by these monkeys, it is possible they get infected with some form of disease or infection the animal carried especially if the animal has not been properly cared for. Also, cuts and scars on pets should be treated properly so that the blood does not cause harm to the owners if they come in contact with it.
#3. Repeated Bouts of Illness
Repeated bouts of illness in pet owners might be very likely to occur when the pet becomes an asymptomatic carrier of certain infections. These repeated bouts of illness, however, might be an indication that an underlying medical issue is occurring in the individual which leads to weakened or deceased immunocompetence.
What Is A Monkey Permit?
A monkey permit is basically an authorization issued by the government that allows you to keep monkeys as pets or in your home. The cost of this permit depends on where you live and how many monkeys you want to keep at once.
How Much Is A Monkey Permit?
Monkeys have been known to be very dangerous animals. Monkeys can cause a lot of damage to your property and they are also known to attack people. It is, therefore, necessary to get a permit from the government before keeping a monkey as pet or even if you just want to keep them in your home. With $100 to $130, the permit or license to own a monkey as pet will be issued in any of these states.
Where Can I Buy a Pet Monkey?
The age and size of a monkey should be first considered when getting money as a pet. You can decide to buy an adult monkey or a baby monkey, of course, the prices of these monkeys differ. An adult monkey is sold for $3500 to $8,000 and a baby monkey can be purchased for $4,000 to $14,000 depending on the breed and location alongside the age of the monkey.
While there are breeders who sell monkeys online and through classified ads in newspapers and magazines, most breeders prefer to meet potential buyers face-to-face before selling them their monkeys. Here are three online stores where you can buy a pet monkey:
1. Primate Store: This store sells monkeys—lots of them. Primate Store has all kinds of different monkeys to choose from and they’re super friendly, so it’s easy to pick out the perfect one for your family. They take credit cards and cash, so there are no worries there either.
2. Poggi’s Animal House: They’ve got everything from dogs to birds to cats and even some monkeys. You’ll love how well taken care of these animals are when you see them for yourself—you’ll be able to tell that this is a place you can trust with your wallet or credit card too (they take both).
3. Pets4You: We couldn’t forget about Pets4You because they have an amazing selection of pets including monkeys. Pets4You have everything from dogs and cats all the way down to rabbits and birds.
Your sources should also be able to provide documentation about their breeding practices so that you can see how long they have been breeding monkeys and what kind of health record their animals have had over time.
How Long Can Monkeys Live For as Pets
A pet monkey can live up to 25 years if properly fed and cared for.
Monkeys should be fed a properly balanced diet and given proper medical care. Monkeys need an enclosure that is large enough for them to move around comfortably and one that is secure from predators. Monkeys should also have access to fresh water at all times and a toilet area where they can eliminate waste.
Final thoughts,
Keeping a monkey as a pet is not a new form of companionship, just that it is important to know the legal boundaries. Not all states in the US allow the residents to have exotic animals like monkeys as pets. The 24 states that give monkey permits also demand some conditions that allow the safety of the residents in that states. I hope this article has done justice to the subject.
PA doesn’t allow monkeys