Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Do you know what animal I’ve always thought would be cool to have as a pet? An opossum. Honestly, I feel they have “a face only a mother could love.” But I’m a mother, so I feel uniquely qualified. Unfortunately, Virginia laws state differently than I feel—and opossums are one of the native animals illegal to keep as pets here in the commonwealth.

That’s alright, though—I’m happy to see them scurrying along in the backyard (and even on the roof) every now and then, living wild, free, and happy in their natural environment. That’s the way it should be. Besides, I’m a cat person anyway, and I have a sneaking suspicion the kitties would find their marsupial brother more tasty than friendly.

Have you ever thought about owning a pet other than a cat or dog? In Virginia, you might want to reconsider that. Several species of native wildlife are actually against the law to domesticate. We’ve got the details for you below, and I hope you enjoy reading them because I’m so glad you’re here.

Amie Knowles

Newsletter Editor, Dogwood

Skunks are native Virginia animals that are illegal to keep as pets. (Bryan Padron/Unsplash)

Animals that are illegal to own in Virginia

By Aila Boyd

Here’s what you need to know: Ever thought about having a wild critter as a pet? Think again. In Virginia, owning certain exotic and wild animals is not just a bad idea—it’s illegal.

Animals to avoid:

According to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, skunks are one of the pets that are illegal to keep in Virginia. The center highlights that skunks can carry rabies, posing a significant health risk to humans and other animals. Additionally, their potent spray used as a defense mechanism makes them unsuitable as pets.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia also states that raccoons are prohibited as pets due to their tendency to carry diseases such as rabies and roundworm. Raccoons are wild animals with instincts that can lead to aggressive behavior, and they require specific habitats and diets that are challenging to replicate in a home environment.
Squirrels are not suitable pets and are illegal to keep in Virginia. The Wildlife Center of Virginia explains that squirrels can carry diseases and parasites that are harmful to humans. These agile animals require space to climb and forage, which cannot be adequately provided in most home environments.

While some animals might seem like intriguing companions, the risks far outweigh the novelty. We’ve got more info on those at the link below.

Learn more →

Colton Knowles poses with lions and a water buffalo at the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville. (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)

Where to get up-close and personal with a giraffe without leaving the state

By Amie Knowles

Sticking with the animal theme, it’s also ill-advised to own a large-breed cat or specific breeds of bovine like the ones featured in the battle above at the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville. I know, shocker—but we can’t all be Carol Baskin and Joe Exotic.

Granted, there are some really cool places in our commonwealth where you can get fairly close to incredible exotic creatures. One of them is in Halifax County, located about 185 miles west of Virginia Beach (or 120 miles south of Charlottesville to give an idea of where it is on the map). Wilde Manor is a luxury safari bed and breakfast known for meet-and-greet giraffe encounters, as well as lemur and penguin experiences.

There’s also the Hill City AquaZoo, a former SeaQuest location nestled right inside Lynchburg’s River Ridge Mall. Animal encounters there include sloths named Prince, Aurora, and Flash, a chance to hand-feed a porcupine named Willow, otter enrichment opportunities, and more.

And of course, there’s always the Metro Richmond Zoo! If you’ve ever wanted to meet the world’s largest breed of tortoise, the Galapagos habitat offers that unique adventure. There’s also a chance to take photos with penguins and learn about their way of life.

Start your adventure →

Carolina Molina speaks at a press conference in Falls Church on Aug. 12, 2026. (Michael O’Connor/Dogwood)

‘I had to de-escalate’: Virginia woman describes viral ICE encounter

By Michael O’Connor

Carolina Molina spoke out Wednesday about her experience having a gun drawn on her by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Northern Virginia.

“I feel like, in that moment, I had to de-escalate,” Molina told reporters of the moment an ICE agent pointed a gun at her. “I had to explain what I was doing.”

The video of ICE agents surrounding Molina’s car on Monday at a shopping center in Falls Church has gone viral on social media and attracted widespread media attention.

Hear her message →

Have you shared this newsletter with a neighbor?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Knowles. Amie is a lifelong Virginia resident and mom to a fantastic 8-year-old who loves Pokémon. This edition includes stories from Aila Boyd and Michael O’Connor. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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