Wild or Hybrid Cats & Dogs – Can I have one in Wake County?

Hybrid Cat

Under the Wake County Animal Control Ordinance, dog and cat hybrids (those mixed with a wild dog or cat) are not illegal in Wake County. If you live in the jurisdiction of Raleigh Animal Control, Cary Animal Control, Garner Animal Control or Holly Springs Animal Control, please check their ordinances for specific restrictions in those communities. NOTE: Wake County Animal Control governs the unincorporated areas of Raleigh, Cary, Garner and Holly Springs so please confirm which jurisdiction you are in to determine which Animal Control Ordinance apply to your residence.

  • Examples of illegal canines: wolves, wolf hybrids, coyotes, coydogs, etc.
  • Examples of illegal felines: bengals, savannah cats, leopard cats, servals, Geoffroy cat hybrids, etc.
     

Per the NC Rabies Control Manual, updated May 2023, “wild hybrids are regarded as wild animals in North Carolina and should be managed as wild animals in the event that a person is bitten. A 10-day confinement or observation period cannot be implemented for a wolf hybrid, cat hybrid or a wild animal that bites a person because the shedding period for rabies virus is not known for hybrids or wild animals. Therefore, if a hybrid or wild animal bites a person, the animal should be humanely euthanized” and sent for rabies testing.