Exotic pets Coverage

A 9-year-old boy's dream of a pet octopus is a sensation as thousands follow Terrance's story online

The one thing 9-year-old Cal Clifford wanted more than anything since he was a toddler was a pet octopus.

By ANITA SNOW, Associated Press

Visit NC State Fairgrounds this weekend to see exotic kangaroo, snakes, sloths and tortoise

Dozens of exotic animals will be on display at the 2022 NC Pet Expo on Saturday and Sunday at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds and Exposition Center.

Maggie Brown, WRAL multipaltform producer

Dangerous wild animal ban takes effect on Sept. 3

The ban for new owners to acquire a dangerous or wild animal as a pet goes into effect on Sept. 3. Current owners of the animals subject to the ban will be allowed to keep them.

Raleigh leaders vote to ban wild animals as pets

The ban for new owners to acquire a dangerous or wild animal as a pet goes into effect on Sept. 3. Current owners of the animals subject to the ban will be allowed to keep them.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Raleigh leaders move forward with plan to ban wild animals as pets

Almost a year after a venomous zebra cobra escaped in a North Raleigh neighborhood, making national headlines, city council met on Tuesday to discuss a ban on dangerous and wild animals inside city limits.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

White-nosed coati the latest animal to get loose in Raleigh

The mystery of who owns the exotic raccoon-like animal that got loose in Raleigh has been solved.

Meet Ryuk: Owners say white-nosed coati found roaming in Raleigh loves to give kisses, bear hugs

Raleigh police were looking for the owner of a white-nosed coati found in Raleigh on Tuesday.

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

Looking for a pet? Birds might make a great option

A lot of people have cats and dogs, but did you know birds can be fun pets too?

Kathy Hanrahan, WRAL lifestyle editor

Exotic birds missing after animal sanctuary break-in

Two exotic birds are now missing after someone tried to break in to a Moore County animal sanctuary.

Flew the coop: Two exotic birds missing after break-ins at Moore animal sanctuary

Authorities are looking for a white bird named Oliver, who escaped from a Moore County animal sanctuary after someone broke in.

Byran Mims, WRAL reporter

Raleigh council considers ban, registration requirement for wild animals kept as pets

Raleigh is determining the next steps in defining how and whether residents can own dangerous animals as pets within the city.

Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter, and Ryan Bisesi, WRAL multiplatform producer

Raleigh residents could continue feeding wild animals under revised proposal

City officials are pulling back from a wide-ranging proposal to prohibit owning or feeding wild or dangerous animals in Raleigh, trimming the types of animals affected and the restrictions on others.

Plenty of people have exotic pets, veterinarian says

Raleigh City Council members are considering adding a grandfather clause to a proposed ordinance limiting ownership of exotic animals in the city to allow some people to keep pets that don't present a danger.

Panel reviews proposed Raleigh exotic animal ordinance

A Raleigh City Council committee discusses changes to a proposed ordinance limiting ownership of exotic animals in the city.

Raleigh trimming proposed wild animal pet ban

A proposed ordinance that would prohibit owning or feeding wild or dangerous animals in Raleigh was sidetracked Tuesday for more discussion after some City Council members said it went too far.

Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter

Some council members, Raleigh residents say wild animal ordinance too much

A proposed ordinance that would prohibit owning or feeding wild or dangerous animals in Raleigh was sidetracked Tuesday for more discussion after some City Council members said it went too far.

Raleigh council debates exotic pet ban

The Raleigh City Council discusses a proposal to ban exotic pet ownership in the city during its Aug. 17, 2021, meeting.

Some Raleigh officials balk at proposed wild animal pet ban

A proposed ordinance that would prohibit owning or feeding wild or dangerous animals in Raleigh was sidetracked Tuesday for more discussion after some City Council members said it went too far.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter