2021 ANIMAL STORIES MAGAZINE

2021 PET MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS JANUARY 21, 2021 Page 15 F or generations, when a child would seek to have a pet the obvious options were a puppy or a kitten. Some very progressive parents might consider a hamster, guinea pig, turtle or rabbit. Rarely would it be that a snake, reptile other than turtle or a bug would be considered as an appropriate animal to have living in the home. But like many other portions of our life and society, with the generations have come change in perspective, and today there are a wide variety of unconventional family pets. When looking for a new or unusual pet, the first question must be if it is allowed in your community. Many animals that fall under the header of “exotic” are not allowed in residential areas. For example, the city of Lincoln has a long list of animals that are not permitted to dwell within the city limits. [“Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this chapter or Title 11 of this Code, no person shall keep, harbor or allow to be kept within the City limits any live chicken (except egg laying hens as defined 6-2-33), turkey, goose, duck or any other poultry or byproduct bird, pigeons, goat, sheep, swine, cattle, horse, or any type of hoof stock, any type of farm animal including any pygmy or miniature variety thereof; any lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, lynx, bobcat, jaguarondi, bear, hyena, wolf, wolf hybrid, poisonous reptile, monkeys, or non- domesticated animal found in its natural state to be wild and potentially dangerous to human life. It is no defense to a violation of this section that the owner or keeper of the animal has attempted to domesticate the animal and there shall be no grandfathering in of any prohibited animal.” Within the list the only exception granted is for hen (female) chickens owned for the purpose of egg production. Rooster or male chickens are not permitted and chickens that are owned may not be slaughtered for meat. While the list is lengthy, many of the animals included would probably not even be considered such as lions, tigers and bears (oh my!) On the other hand, owning pigeons, a duck, or pigmy goat are pets that some families would entertain. So, before you say yes, be sure to check your city or county zoning office to see if you have the legal ability to say yes. The more exotic members of the family