Can You Really Have a Pet Fox in Missouri? It’s Complicated

Have you ever been told that the key question about many issues in life isn't can you do something, but should you? That's definitely the case with having a pet fox in Missouri. If you're wondering if you can, maybe you should ask another question, too.

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Let's get the primary fox question out of the way first. Can you legally have a pet fox in Missouri? Here's what I learned after doing some digging. (no fox pun intended) World Population Review shared a helpful graphic showing which states allow you to have a pet fox.

So you're saying there's a (foxy) chance?

The experts at World Population Review say it's OK to have a pet fox n Missouri. The website Pet Keen agrees.

So if you decide to become a fox parent, where do you find one?

There is one organization I found in the Midwest called Save a Fox which offer adoption programs. The founder named Dixie shared this mission statement on their website about why Save a Fox was started:

It was in discovering the need for these domestic foxes to have a place to go when met with uncertain situations that I founded Save A Fox Rescue, which has been operating since 2017. To date, we have rescued approximately 150 foxes from certain death.

OK, so I want to have a pet fox, but should I?

Popular Science did an interesting article about how hard it is to have a domesticated fox in your life. They are canines, but don't think they're as simple to care for as a Golden Retriever. Fun and mischievous? That's what they say.

My (non-legal) advice would be to do your own research into state and local ordinances that may prohibit fox ownership and really think through if you have what it takes to give one of these animals a good home. Definitely DON'T run out into the woods and try to find your own.