Is the adoption of baby monkeys legal in the United States?

The adoption of baby monkeys is illegal in 30 states and the other states all have regulations, which can make it difficult to keep a baby monkey as a pet. It is also difficult to keep a monkey because most of the states where monkeys can be kept as pets also require a permit.

The laws and regulations for primate pets are evolving each year and many animal organizations, such as the Primate Rescue Center and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, warn that owning a pet monkey is not a good idea for the monkey or the owner. Monkeys were meant to live in their natural environment in the wild and it is considered cruel to keep a monkey in a confined space as a pet.