This document establishes procedures for issuing permits for keeping wild, exotic, and dangerous non-domestic animals in Orange County, California. It outlines the application process, including ensuring applicants have necessary state permits. It provides standards for animal housing facilities, food and water, sanitation, veterinary care, shelter, space requirements, and inspection procedures to ensure compliance.

1. Number: 500.28
SUBJECT: ISSUANCE OF WILD, EXOTIC AND DANGEROUS NON-
DOMESTIC ANIMAL PERMITS
Page: 1
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins DVM, Interim Director Revised: 1/15/15
I. PURPOSE
To establish a uniform procedure for the issuance of wild, exotic and dangerous non-domestic
animal permits.
II. POLICY
Citizens desiring to keep or maintain a wild, exotic and dangerous non-domestic animal shall
be required to complete an Animal Facility License Application. The Business Licensing
Specialist shall ascertain whether the applicant has an Animal Welfare Permit from the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, when required. The application, along with a copy
of the Fish and Wildlife permit, shall be returned to and processed by OC Animal Care
Business Licensing (P&P 500.32). If the applicant does not have a necessary Fish and Wildlife
permit, he/she will be given 30 days to apply for the permit and send a copy to OC Animal
Care Business Licensing.
III. SCOPE
This procedure is applicable to OC Animal Care Business Licensing staff.
IV. FORMS
Animal Facility License Application F272-12.2030 (R5/09)
Animal and Facility Inspection Notice F272-12.2101 (R12-11)
V. REFERENCES
OC Animal Care P&P 500.32
OC Animal Care P&P 500.35
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not applicable.

2. Number: 500.28
SUBJECT: ISSUANCE OF WILD, EXOTIC AND DANGEROUS NON-
DOMESTIC ANIMAL PERMITS
Page: 2
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins DVM, Interim Director Revised: 1/15/15
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Housing Facilities
1. Cages or enclosures shall be structurally sound and shall be maintained in good
repair to securely confine the animal(s). Protection shall be provided for the
animal(s) against inclement weather and direct rays of the sun. Adequate
drainage shall be provided to ensure proper runoff of rainfall and wash water.
Animals native to areas with warm climates shall be provided with air
conditioning, as required.
2. Facilities shall provide sleeping boxes, which are easily accessible and adequate
in size. The enclosures shall provide privacy and comfort for the animal(s). The
licensee shall recognize and evaluate unusual attributes and behavior patterns of
the individual animal(s) and shall take appropriate measures to protect their
health and welfare. This may involve construction of stronger and larger
facilities or removal of an animal from the immediate area, such as when a
female is in heat.
3. Unless otherwise provided by law, facilities inspected and meeting the
requirements of California Fish and Wildlife will be considered acceptable
insofar as basic design and square footage are concerned. However, OC Animal
Care will assure that the facility is maintained in such a manner as to
continuously provide a healthful and sanitary environment, as approved by the
Director of OC Animal Care, for the animal(s) kept or to be kept therein.
B. Food
1. Food shall be wholesome, palatable and free from contamination and of
sufficient quantity and nutritive value to maintain the animals in good health.
The diet shall be prepared according to the age, species, condition, size and type
of the animal(s).
2. Animal(s) shall be fed at least once a day, except as dictated by hibernation,
veterinary treatment, normal fasts or other professional practices.
3. Food in food receptacles shall be sufficient in quantity and located to assure
accessibility to the animal(s) in an enclosure and placed to minimize
contamination.

3. Number: 500.28
SUBJECT: ISSUANCE OF WILD, EXOTIC AND DANGEROUS NON-
DOMESTIC ANIMAL PERMITS
Page: 3
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins DVM, Interim Director Revised: 1/15/15
4. Food receptacles shall be sanitary and adequate measures shall be taken to
prevent molding, contamination, deterioration or caking of the food.
C. Water
1. Potable water shall be provided continuously.
2. Water receptacles shall be emptied, cleaned and refilled as necessary to provide
a sanitary container.
D. Sanitation
1. The licensee shall clean all enclosures or areas where the animal(s) is/are
maintained daily or more often if necessary.
2. Spilled food, excrement, garbage or other offensive material shall be removed or
washed from the area. The area shall be sanitary, attractive and as free from
odor as possible.
E. Veterinary Care
1. The licensee shall obtain the services of a licensed veterinarian when, in the
opinion of the inspection officer, any animal requires such care. The inspecting
officer may require the licensee to submit an independent licensed veterinarian’s
report concerning the health and welfare of any animal.
F. Miscellaneous
1 Sleeping or weatherproof shelters shall be provided for the animal(s) except
fully aquatic animals. These shelters shall be large enough or numerous enough
to accommodate all animals in the enclosure.
2. Climbing and arboreal species shall have a raised loafing platform provided (this
can be the top of a den box).
3. Semi-aquatic species shall have at least enough water provided to allow each
animal in the enclosure to be completely submerged at the same time. The
water shall be kept clean at all times.
4. The height of the enclosure shall be at least 11
/4 times the length of that species.
The length, as used in these requirements, shall be defined as the distance from

4. Number: 500.28
SUBJECT: ISSUANCE OF WILD, EXOTIC AND DANGEROUS NON-
DOMESTIC ANIMAL PERMITS
Page: 4
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins DVM, Interim Director Revised: 1/15/15
the nose to the base of the tail of an adult of that species. If the species
commonly stands erect on two legs, the height of the enclosure shall be at least
11
/4 times the height of the animal while standing erect. If the species is a
climbing or arboreal species, the height of the enclosure shall be at least three
(3) times the length of an adult of that species, but no less than four (4) feet for
any primate.
G. The following minimum requirements apply to an animal being held as personal pets or
held for permanent public display:
1. The minimum floor space for one or two animals must be at least three (3) times
the length of one mature adult of that species squared, except that no enclosure
smaller that 36 square feet for any primate or 60 square feet for any other
mammal can be approved.
2. For each additional animal over two (2) animals in the same cage, the minimum
area must be increased by ½ of the total area calculated as above, except that no
enclosure less than 36 square feet for any primate or 60 square feet for any other
mammal can be approved.
3. Fully aquatic animals (dugongs, manatees) shall be provided with a minimum
amount of water equal in size to the area as calculated in the above items. The
depth of the water shall be at least 11
/4 times the length of a mature adult of that
species. An area must be provided to allow all animals in the enclosure to be
completely out of the water at the same time. The water must be kept clean at
all times.
H. Discrepancies
1. After inspection, Business Licensing staff shall complete the Animal and
Facility Inspection Notice (P&P 500.35). List any discrepancies on the animal
and facility inspection notice. Follow-up inspections shall be made after the
specified compliance date as listed on the notice. A re-inspection fee shall be
charged, per the current fee schedule, if the discrepancy is not corrected by the
follow-up date listed on the notice.