Is it legal to own a fox in Michigan?
Michigan state law says wild colors of Red Fox need a permit to be owned by a private individual, other colors do not require a permit. Wild colors include red, silver, and cross. Any color that closely resembles wild colors will also require a permit. Colors that often resemble wild colors include, but are not limited to fire and ice, pearl, and some calicos. Although state law allows for pet foxes, your county or city may ban foxes outright. Please check with your local ordinances before purchasing a fox of any color.
Red Foxes (Vulpes Vulpes) are considered domestic animals if they are a non-red color according to this law. This fur-bearing law works distinctly in the pet fox owner’s favor.
This law states that no person may enter your foxes’ enclosure or the property surrounding it. It also states that it is illegal to harass, injure, or kill your fox.
According to this law, unless a city specifically bans foxes, non-red Red Foxes cannot be defined as wild animals. A city ban on wild animals cannot include non-red Red Foxes as those foxes are defined by state law to be domestic.
To own a wild-colored Red Fox, you must obtain a permit and abide by the Captive Wild Animal Order. Your permit and enclosure must be obtained prior to the purchase of your fox. Red, Silver, and Cross colored Red Foxes are not considered domestic animals and would fall under captive wild animal law. Please contact the DNR and review your city laws before bringing home a wild-colored Red Fox. Your county or city may ban wild animals and would therefore ban wild colored Red Foxes.
