To put it simply: yes, foxes are legal in Wisconsin.
Raising red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) is considered an agricultural activity and they are recognized as domestic animals by state law.
Other fox species require a license.
29.627â Domestic fur-bearing animal farms. The breeding, raising and producing in captivity, and the marketing, by the producer, of foxes, fitch, nutria, marten, fisher, mink, chinchilla, rabbit or caracul, as live animals, or as animal pelts or carcasses shall be considered an agricultural pursuit, and all such animals so raised in captivity shall be considered domestic animals, subject to all the laws of the state with reference to possession, ownership and taxation as are at any time applicable to domestic animals. All persons engaged in the foregoing activities are farmers and engaged in farming for all statutory purposes.
169.04. Possession of live wild animals
(1) Restrictions on possession.
(a) No person may possess any live wild animal unless the wild animal is legally obtained.
(b) No person may possess any live wild animal unless the person holds a license or other approval to possess the wild animal as required under this chapter or under s. 29.319 and the person is otherwise in compliance with this chapter and the rules promulgated under this chapter.
(2) Temporary possession.
(a) A person possessing a live native wild animal for a period not to exceed 24 hours is exempt from having a license or other approval as required under sub. (1)(b) if the person is possessing the wild animal for any of the following purposes:
1. To restrain or transport the wild animal for medical treatment by a veterinarian or by a person holding a rehabilitation license.
2. To remove or transport the wild animal from one location to a more appropriate location.
3. To restrain or transport the wild animal for game censuses or surveys, or other purposes authorized by the department.
(b) If a person possessing a live native wild animal under par. (a) determines that it is necessary to possess the wild animal for a period exceeding 24 hours after the time the wild animal was first possessed, the person shall request that the department approve an extension of the time period for the temporary possession. The department may either deny the requested extension or approve it for a specific period of time.
(d) If a live wild animal has been exposed to or infected with any contagious or infectious disease, as defined under rules promulgated by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 95.001(2), during the time the wild animal is being temporarily possessed, the person possessing the wild animal shall ensure that a veterinarian files with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection a copy of a valid certificate of veterinary inspection that certifies that the wild animal is free of any such diseases before releasing it into the wild.
(e) No person may operate on a live skunk to remove its scent glands unless the person holds a Class A or Class B captive wild animal farm license or unless the person is a veterinarian and the person bringing the skunk to the veterinarian holds such a license. A veterinarian to whom a person brings a live skunk for removal of its scent glands shall verify whether the person holds a Class A or Class B captive wild animal farm license. If the person does not hold such a license, the veterinarian shall notify that person that possession of a live skunk is illegal and shall notify the department.
(3) Wild animals under another jurisdiction. A live wild animal possessed by a nonresident under the legal authority of another state, province, or country may be possessed in this state by the nonresident for not more than 60 days from the date the wild animal enters the state if all of the following apply:
(a) The nonresident ensures that a veterinarian files a copy of a valid certificate of veterinary inspection for the wild animal with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.
(b) The nonresident holds every license or other approval that is required by the other state, province, or country.
(4) Exemption for certain wild animals.
(a) A person is exempt from holding a license or other approval as required under this chapter to possess live native wild animals if the wild animals are not endangered or threatened species and are any of the following:
(b) A person is exempt from holding a license or other approval as required under this chapter to possess live nonnative wild animals that are not endangered or threatened species, except for any of the following:
1. Pheasants of the species Phasianus colchicus or Syrmaticus reevesii, chukar partridge, gray partridge, or red-legged partridge that are possessed for use under a bird hunting preserve license, a dog training license, a hound training license, a dog club training license, a dog trial license, or a hound trial license.
2. Nonnative wild birds of the family anatidae that are migratory birds.
3. Nonnative wild animals that are harmful wild animals.
(5) Exemption for certain persons and institutions.
(a) Each of the following is exempt from holding a license or other approval as required under this chapter to possess any wild animal:
1. A veterinarian, for the purpose of providing medical treatment to wild animals.
2. A public zoo or aquarium.
3. A circus or the Circus World Museum located in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
5. A person who is licensed under s. 95.68 or 95.71 and who is possessing the wild animal under the authority of the license.
6. A person who is licensed under s. 95.69 and who possesses wild animals for 10 days or less and solely for the purpose of resale or slaughter.
(b) For purposes of par. (a)1., âmedical treatmentâ does not include rehabilitation.
(5m) Exemption for Certain Deer.
(a) A person holding a rehabilitation license who is rehabilitating white-tailed deer in Walworth County may possess these white-tailed deer after they have been rehabilitated without holding any other license or approval as required under this chapter and without being registered under s. 95.55 if all of the following conditions apply:
1. The deer were taken from the wild before August 1, 2003.
2. The license holder keeps the deer within a fenced area that has a double perimeter fence around the area and that complies with all of the requirements under the rules promulgated under s. 90.21(6).
3. The license holder identifies the deer by tagging or by other means as required by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.
4. The license holder does not propagate the deer or otherwise allow the deer to reproduce.
5. The license holder does not remove, or authorize the removal of, the deer from the facilities and premises that are approved for use under the rehabilitation license.
6. The license holder notifies the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection of any illness found in any of the deer.
7. If any of the deer dies, the license holder shall have the carcass tested for chronic wasting disease and shall have the test results submitted to the department of natural resources and the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.
8. If any of the deer is found, as a result of testing, to have chronic wasting disease, the license holder shall have all of the deer destroyed.
(b) Legal title to the white-tailed deer subject to par. (a) remains with the state.
Š The holder of the rehabilitation license who possesses the white-tailed deer as authorized under par. (a) shall immediately notify the department if any of the deer are not fenced as required under par. (a) 2., are not identified as required under par. (a) 3., reproduce, or are removed from the facilities and premises that are approved for use under the rehabilitation license.
(d) Upon notification under par. Š, or if the department determines that any of the conditions under par. (a) are not met, the holder of the rehabilitation license shall no longer be authorized to possess the white-tailed deer.
(e) If any of the deer escape from the facilities or premises that are approved for use under the rehabilitation license, the license holder shall notify the department immediately.
(f) The holder of the rehabilitation license may not release any of the deer subject to par. (a) into the wild without the prior approval of the department.
(6) Inapplicability to certain wild animals. (a) This section does not authorize the possession of harmful wild animals.
(b) The possession of native wild reptiles and native wild amphibians is subject to s. 169.12 and not to this section.
GENERAL FACILITY REQUIREMENTS
1. Pens must be structurally sound, kept in good repair, protect the captive animals from injury, hold the animals securely and prevent other animals from getting inside.
2. Most animals may not be kept in any part of a building or home where people live unless receiving temporary health care, treatment orspecial handling.
3. Areas used for storing food or bedding must be free of trash, animal waste, weeds, insects, etc.
4. All surfaces in a pen, including houses, dens, shelters, fixtures and objects must be easily cleaned or removed or replaced when worn or dirty. Surfaces must be free of rust and jagged edges or sharp points.
5. If raised floors are used they must be constructed so the animalsâ feet cannot pass through the openings in the floor. If the floor is constructed of wire, a solid resting surface large enough to hold all the animals at the same time must be provided.
6. Animal and food wastes, bedding, debris, garbage, water, other fluids and wastes and dead animals must be frequently collected, removed and disposed of on a regular basis. The department recommends this be done on a daily basis.
7. Standing puddles of water must be drained or mopped up after cleaning or rain so the animals can stay dry.
8. Trash containers in food storage and preparation areas must be leak proof with tight fitting lids. The lids must remain on unless the caretaker is using them.
9. Supplies of food and bedding must be stored in a way that protects them from spoilage, contamination and pest infestation. You must be able to clean around and under the supplies. Foods requiring refrigeration must be stored in a refrigerator. All open food must be kept in a leak proof container with a tight fitting lid.
10. To promote the health of the captive animal an effective program for the control of insects, external parasites, birds and mammals that are pests needs to be developed and followed.
GENERAL PEN AND SHELTER REQUIREMENTS
1. Pens must be large enough to allow each captive wild animal to make normal position changes with plenty of freedom of movement.
2. All captive wild animals housed in the same enclosure must be compatible. Vicious or aggressive animals must be housed separately.
3. Outdoor facilities must provide shelter large enough to fit all animals inside comfortably.
4. Shelters need 4 sides, a roof and a floor and must provide the animals with protection from the cold, heat, sun, snow, wind and rain.
5. A wind and rain break must be provided at the shelter entrance.
6. Shelters need clean dry bedding material if the temperature falls below 50F. Additional bedding is needed if temperatures fall below 35F.
7. Metal barrels, cars, refrigerators, freezers and similar objects may not be used for shelters.
8. Shelters must be ventilated to provide for animal health and well being, and to minimize odors, drafts, ammonia levels and moisture. Ventilation can be provided by windows, doors, vents, fans or air conditioning.
9. Shade areas large enough to contain all the captive wild animals at one time must be provided to protect them from the sun.
10. Outdoor shelter for captive wild birds: May consist of natural vegetation, which provides protection from he sun, wind, rain and snow
COYOTE, FOX AND FISHER PENS
These pens must be a minimum of 144 square feet for coyote and 120 square feet for fox and fisher.
No more than 2 animals may be held in a minimum square foot pen.
A minimum of at least 50 additional square feet is required for each additional animal.
The pen height must be a minimum of 6 feet.Â
Citation: WI ST 29.627, WI ST 169.04, Captive Wildlife Pen Specifications & Transportation Standards
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