A scene from Zootopia. [Photo/Mtime]

Fennec foxes are under the State's level-two protection and there are complicated processes to get a permit to import and keep these animals, according to a report on the Beijing News. "It's extremely difficult to get and raise the fox legally," Li said.

The main obstacle for pet lovers who want to raise such exotic house pets as foxes is that the country has neither an industry of domesticating these exotic pets, nor a management and supervision mode. "You'd better be careful of your purchase," he said.

Fans might be better off buying a stuffed, plush toy version instead. They also are easy to find on the e-commerce sites.