Are Roof Rats Legal in U.S. Virgin Islands? Keeping, Breeding & Selling

• U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning & Natural Resources (DPNR), Division of Fish & Wildlife, written reply June 2026: roof rats (Rattus rattus) and Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are ‘vermin’ under 12 V.I.C. §102(n) and are excluded from ‘indigenous species’ (§102(i)). While §105(a) regulates indigenous species, §105(d) separately prohibits importing or introducing into the Territory any species that does not naturally occur there without the express written permission of the Commissioner. Because both rat species are non-indigenous vermin, neither may be imported, introduced, kept, or propagated without that written authorization, and DPNR is not required to grant it and has a strong basis to deny on biosecurity, invasive-species, conservation, property-damage, and public-health grounds. Any animal permitted to enter must also carry a valid certificate of veterinary inspection (19 V.I.C. §2709).

Keeping / owning   Restricted

Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-10

DPNR confirmed in writing (June 2026) that keeping a non-indigenous vermin species is prohibited without the Commissioner’s express written permission. Although 12 V.I.C. §105(a)’s take/possess prohibition reaches only indigenous species, §105(d) separately bars importing OR INTRODUCING any non-indigenous species without written authorization, and DPNR reads keeping a non-indigenous vermin as falling within that bar. R. rattus is named vermin (§102), so a private keeper needs the Commissioner’s permission, which DPNR is not required to grant and has a strong basis to deny. A discretionary written-permission pathway exists, so this is restricted rather than an absolute ban.

Sources: V.I. Legislature (via Justia), VI DPNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, VI DPNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, DPNR Division of Fish & Wildlife (via St. Thomas Source)

Breeding   Restricted

Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-10

DPNR confirmed (June 2026) that PROPAGATION of non-indigenous vermin is prohibited without the Commissioner’s express written permission under 12 V.I.C. §105(d), this applies regardless of whether the animal was locally acquired or imported, correcting the earlier DR read that local breeding was unregulated. R. rattus is named vermin (§102) and both Rattus species are treated identically. A discretionary permission pathway exists, so restricted rather than prohibited; the V.I. Dept of Agriculture import permit additionally prints an absolute ‘will not be allowed to breed’ condition on imported specimens.

Sources: V.I. Legislature (via Justia), VI DPNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, VI Dept of Agriculture, Division of Veterinary Services, VI Dept of Agriculture, Division of Veterinary Services

Selling or giving away   Restricted

Confidence: Medium · Last verified 2026-06-10

DPNR’s June 2026 reply did not separately address private transfer, but because keeping a non-indigenous vermin requires the Commissioner’s written permission under 12 V.I.C. §105(d), any transfer is effectively limited to authorized keepers. A commercial storefront would also need a general business license from the Dept of Licensing & Consumer Affairs, and the no-release duty binds any recipient. Restricted.

Sources: V.I. Legislature (via Justia), VI DPNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, VI DPNR Division of Fish & Wildlife

Transport & import   Restricted

Confidence: High · Last verified 2026-06-10

DPNR confirmed (June 2026) that importing or introducing a non-indigenous species requires the Commissioner’s express written permission under 12 V.I.C. §105(d), which DPNR is not required to grant and has a strong basis to deny. On top of that territorial bar, the V.I. Dept of Agriculture requires its Non-Indigenous Animal Import Permit ($25/species, void 2 months), a 30-day veterinary health certificate (19 V.I.C. §2709), port custody/inspection, a live-food ban, and a no-breeding condition. Internal movement of a lawfully held, confined animal is permissible; release is strictly unlawful. A lawful (if discretionary and unlikely) pathway exists, restricted, not an absolute ban.

Sources: VI Dept of Agriculture, Division of Veterinary Services, VI Dept of Agriculture, Division of Veterinary Services, VI DPNR Division of Fish & Wildlife

• Before the animal leaves its origin, file the Non-Indigenous Animal Import Application with the V.I. Dept of Agriculture, Office of the Director of Veterinary Services (Kingshill, St. Croix), listing scientific name (Rattus rattus), common name, color, sex, and number of animals, plus consignor/owner contacts and your USVI physical address
• Pay the $25-per-species non-refundable fee by check or money order payable to the VI Department of Agriculture
• Obtain an official veterinary health certificate from a licensed/accredited (or USDA) veterinarian within 30 days of travel; include the screwworm-free treatment statement if originating from a screwworm-endemic area
• Time travel so the animal arrives while the permit is valid (void 2 months after issue) and the certificate is within its 30-day window
• On arrival, leave the animal in the carrier’s custody until a V.I. Dept of Agriculture Veterinary Services agent completes the port inspection and releases it
• Comply with the permit conditions: import only as a companion pet (not live food), prevent the imported animal from breeding, keep it securely confined, and never release it

Forms: Non-Indigenous Animal Import Application (V.I. Dept of Agriculture, Division of Veterinary Services) · Where: V.I. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Director of Veterinary Services, RR 1 Box 10345, Kingshill, St. Croix, USVI 00850 (veterinaryservices@doa.vi.gov) · Fees: $25.00 non-refundable per species (check/money order payable to VI Department of Agriculture)

Source: VI Dept of Agriculture, Division of Veterinary Services, VI Dept of Agriculture, Division of Veterinary Services

• Keep the roof rat securely caged and indoors at all times
• Never release or abandon it; if rehoming, pass the confinement duty to a vetted new owner

Source: VI DPNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / Federal Register

• If operating a commercial storefront or ongoing retail sales, obtain a general business license from the V.I. Dept of Licensing & Consumer Affairs

Where: V.I. Department of Licensing & Consumer Affairs (DLCA) · Fees: Set by DLCA

Source: VI DPNR Division of Fish & Wildlife