Ohio Rev. Code § 935.02: Possession of dangerous wild animal prohibited.

(A) No person shall possess a dangerous wild animal on or after January 1, 2014.

(B)(1) Except as provided in divisions (G)(1) and (2) of section 935.06 of the Revised Code, no person shall acquire, buy, sell, trade, or transfer possession or ownership of a dangerous wild animal on or after the effective date of this section.

(2) Notwithstanding division (B)(1) of this section, a person that operates a rescue facility may acquire, except by purchase, possession or ownership of a dangerous wild animal if one of the following applies:

(a) Prior to January 1, 2014, the person is authorized to do so by the director of agriculture in accordance with procedures adopted by the director.

(b) On or after January 1, 2014, the person has obtained a rescue facility permit under section 935.101 of the Revised Code.