Protecting Local Zoos Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill changes federal law to make it easier for certain zoos and animal dealers to own and handle exotic wildlife. It updates the rules for big cats and other dangerous animals kept in captivity to give facilities more flexibility in how they operate.
• It removes snow leopards and clouded leopards from the list of "prohibited wildlife species." This means these specific cats would no longer be subject to the same strict federal bans on private ownership or transport that apply to lions or tigers.
• The bill expands who is legally allowed to work closely with these animals. It would now include zoo volunteers, owners, and veterinary assistants, rather than just licensed veterinarians or highly specialized staff members.
• It allows U.S. animal facilities to trade these species with authorized organizations in other countries. This is intended to make it easier for zoos to participate in international programs without running into federal legal hurdles.
• People who already own these animals but aren't traditional zoos can register them with the government. This allows them to keep their animals legally as long as they agree not to breed them, sell them, or show them to the public.

Impact Analysis

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