Is It Illegal to Keep a Wild Dove as a Pet?

Keeping a wild dove as a pet without authorization is illegal. While doves are not classified as endangered wildlife, they are still protected under relevant laws, and it's prohibited to capture and raise them without proper permits.

If you have a dove that is not wild, meaning it was bred in captivity, keeping it is generally not against the law. However, if you capture a wild dove and attempt to tame it without approval from relevant authorities, it is a violation of wildlife protection laws. To legally raise a wild dove, you must first obtain permission from the local forestry department. Though not classified as endangered, wild doves are still protected, and capturing and raising them without authorization is not allowed. There are various species of doves. For breeding purposes, it's advisable to select those with smaller heads, as they tend to be more agile. Additionally, opt for species that have a good feeding response, are relatively docile, have strong breeding capabilities, and exhibit good disease resistance. It's crucial to avoid raising any dove species that are explicitly banned from commercial circulation by the government.

Why Wild Doves Struggle in Captivity

Wild doves possess strong wild instincts and are naturally very wary of humans. They often refuse to eat food offered by people, which is why they often fail to thrive in captivity. For young doves, you can try feeding them cooked corn kernels, preferably crushed into smaller pieces, or purchase commercial pigeon milk replacer and mix it with water, shaping it into small balls. Feed the dove until its crop (a pouch in its throat) is full, and then provide a bit of water to aid digestion. These birds typically inhabit forests in mountainous and plain areas and migrate during the fall and winter. They closely resemble pigeons in flight and have a simple, repetitive call. They are also known to be quite alert and cautious.Don’t miss out on this:Pet Breeding