What Permits Do You Need to Own an African Grey Parrot? How to Keep One Legally

To legally own an African Grey Parrot, you must obtain an artificial breeding permit.

Keeping parrots as pets generally requires an artificial breeding permit. According to Article 28 of the "Wildlife Protection Law of the People's Republic of China" and the CITES Convention, only three species of parrots—the Peach-faced Lovebird, Budgerigar (Parakeet), and Cockatiel—can be freely traded and kept as pets without needing an artificial breeding permit. All other parrot species, including their captive-bred varieties, are classified as either national key protected wildlife or CITES Appendix I or Appendix II species. For example, the Rose-ringed Parakeet, which is found in China, is a nationally protected animal at the second level. Therefore, if you wish to keep any parrot other than the aforementioned three species, it is necessary for pet enthusiasts to first obtain an artificial breeding permit.

How to Obtain a Wildlife Domestication and Breeding Permit

Prepare all required application materials, including the "Application Form for Administrative Permit for Wildlife Protection Management", valid documents or materials proving the applicant's identity and qualifications, proof of the source of the wildlife species to be domesticated and bred (e.g., introduction agreements or letters of intent, valid approval documents, import/export certificates, documents for acceptance and rescue treatment, etc.). Submit a written application to the local county forestry administrative department. After the county forestry administrative department reviews and signs off on the application materials, submit them to the Forestry Department window at the Provincial Government Service Center. For the domestication and breeding of national first-level protected wildlife, after the Provincial Forestry Department reviews and signs off, it must be submitted to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration for approval and the issuance of a domestication and breeding permit. For the domestication and breeding of national second-level and provincial key protected wildlife, obtain approval from the Provincial Forestry Department, then pay the fee for the domestication and breeding permit for key protected wildlife at the Provincial Government Service Center’s bank payment window. The applicant can then collect the permit from the Forestry Department window at the Provincial Government Service Center, upon presentation of the payment receipt. Bonus resource:Pet Knowledge