# Pet monkeys

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-monkeys/233663>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 11, 2004, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-monkeys/233663 "2004-03-11T07:50:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bombilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bombilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bombilla)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-monkeys/233663/1 "2004-03-11T07:50:58Z")

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I just read [this article](http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/172102p-150122c.html) and I became curious…

How does one go about acquiring a pet monkey? Is it illegal in all cases to keep one as a pet? Do laws vary by state? What about organ grinders who have monkeys that tip their little monkey hats when tourists give them a dollar? Why are they allowed to keep monkeys?

Basically, any info about how to go about getting a monkey and/or a breakdown of primate ownership laws would be super.

Thanks in advance!

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**Author:** ![maggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@maggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggy)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-monkeys/233663/2 "2004-03-11T13:17:18Z")

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Warning - monkeys do not make good pets! They can be aggressive, extremely messy and very mischievious…they needs lots of space, toys and people company…

In Ontario, you cannot keep exotic pets. Check with your local state laws and also ask lots of questions before acquiring a moneky - because, if it doesn’t work out, you’ll have an awful time finding a new home for it.