Transport

Statewide Wild Animal Transport Restrictions

Rabies in Texas is an ongoing state health emergency.  Therefore, according to the Rabies Control and Eradication Administrative Code*, it is illegal for a person to transport certain animals that are high risk for transmitting rabies, including any live species of fox, skunk, coyote, or raccoon indigenous or naturalized to North America.   A violation of this law is a Class C misdemeanor.  The following individuals are exempt from this restriction and can transport animals included in the statewide rabies quarantine only when such transport is part of their official duty:

• peace officers;
• individuals hired or contracted by state or federal agencies or local governments;
• employees of zoos or other institutions accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums;
• educators permitted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for educational display;
• rehabilitators permitted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department;
• an entity issued authorization for nuisance fur-bearing animal relocation from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; and
• pest management professionals licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

If an exempt individual transports such animals for release, the animals must be released within a ten-mile radius or within ten miles of the city limits of where they were originally captured and the release must be within the county in which they were originally captured.

For additional information on the statewide rabies quarantine, contact your local Zoonosis Control office.

* Rabies Control and Eradication (Chapter 169, Administrative Code), Rules of the Board of Health for the Rabies Control Act (Chapter 826, Texas Health and Safety Code).