Are Pet Squirrels Legal In My State?
We here at Exotic Pet Wonderland understand how hard it can be to get straight info on the legality of exotic pet ownership, so we’ve created this list to more easily answer the question “Are pet squirrels legal in my state?” Please note, this is only for red squirrels, grey squirrels, and fox squirrels. Laws may be different for non-native species of squirrels and flying squirrels.
How can I legally buy a Squirrel?
Squirrels only legally be bought from USDA licensed breeders. If someone is trying to sell a squirrel without a USDA license, even if they are licensed by the state or county to possess that squirrel, that is wildlife trafficking and is a federal crime.
What about Peanut the squirrel?
If you are on this page, it is very likely you came across it researching for information regarding Peanut the squirrel. For more information on the legality and ethics of Peanut, please visit this page here
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Alabama?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Alabama.
https://www.outdooralabama.com/prohibited-animal-regulation
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Alaska?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Alaska.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Arizona
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Arizona. (ARIZ. COMP. ADMIN R. & REGS. R12-4-406; R12-4-409; R12-4-417; R12-4-425; R12-4-426)
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Arkansas?
It is legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Arkansas under certain conditions.
You can keep up to six animals from Arkansas’s list, which includes squirrels, if they are taken “by hand” from the wild.
Once taken, the squirrel must remain in the owner’s custody. The squirrel cannot be sold or rehomed. If the owner wishes to get rid of the squirrel it can only be turned over to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Males and female squirrels are required to be kept in separate enclosures unless they have been neutered. These squirrels may only leave the state with permission from the Chief of Wildlife Management.
Captive bred squirrels are not legal in Arkansas.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in California?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in California.
California law states that it is illegal to import, possess, or transport a squirrel unless permitted by the California Department of Fish and Game. Permits are not issued for squirrels kept as pets in California.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Colorado?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Colorado.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal In Connecticut?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Connecticut.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Delaware?
It is not legal to keep a pet squirrel in Delaware, as they are native species.
According to the Delaware DNREC:
If it is a native species “the species is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and is prohibited from being owned as a pet.”
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Florida?
It is legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Florida with a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
You can apply for the permit here, and it must be renewed every two years. You may NOT bring your pet squirrel out in public with this license. More information about the Class III permit can be found here.
Taking squirrels from the wild is illegal in Florida. It is federally illegal to sell squirrels without a permit from the USDA and is considered wildlife trafficking.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Georgia?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Georgia.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Hawaii?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Hawaii.
https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/AR-71P.pdf
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Idaho?
Contact the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for more information on owning a pet squirrel in Idaho
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Illinois?
It is legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Illinois with a fur-bearing mammal breeder permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA breeder.
The fur-bearing mammal breeder permit can be found here, is $25.50, and must be renewed yearly. While this permit allows the holder to sell squirrels, it is still federally illegal and considered a wildlife crime to sell squirrels without a USDA license.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Indiana?
It is legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Indiana with a Class I Wild Animal Possession permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder.
Indiana’s Class I Wild Animal Possession Permit for squirrels can be found here. The permit is $20 and must be renewed annually. In order to renew your permit for a pet squirrel in Indiana after the first year, you must provide proof your animal has been seen by a veterinarian, is properly vaccinated, and is being properly cared for at home.
More information on the permitting process for keeping a pet squirrel in Indiana can be found here
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Iowa?
Pet squirrels are legal in Iowa with a game breeders license, which can be found here.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Kansas?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Kansas.
https://sos.ks.gov/publications/pubs_kar_Regs.aspx?KAR=28&Srch=Y
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Kentucky?
Owning a pet squirrel in Kentucky is apparently legal with a permit when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. Contact the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for more information.
https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Transportation-and-Holding-of-Live-Exotic-Wildlife.aspx
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Louisiana?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Louisiana.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Maine?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Maine. Maine’s laws prohibit the private possession of any species native to the state, such as squirrels.
https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/captivity/index.html
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Maryland?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Maryland
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Massachusetts?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Massachusetts.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Michigan?
Owning a pet squirrel is apparently legal in Michigan with a permit when the squirrel is from a USDA licensed breeder. Contact the Michigan DNR for more information. (Get back to me on what they say.)
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Minnesota?
You cannot legally have a raccoon as a pet in Minnesota. Individuals in Minnesota in possession of a squirrel must use them educational or research purposes and have a permit. For more information contact wildlife.permits@state.mn.us or visit https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/permits/animals/index.html
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Mississippi?
No, pet squirrels are not legal in Mississippi. According to Mississippi Fish and Wildlife, furbearing animals (which the squirrel are considered to be) are not legally allowed to be kept as pets.
https://mdwfp.com/media/253844/w-rule-84-regulations-for-game-and-furbearing-animals-in-captivity-proposed.pdf
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Missouri?
Contact the Missouri Department of Conservation for more information about having a pet squirrel in Missouri.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Montana?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Montana.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Nebraska?
It is legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Nebraska with a captive wildlife permit when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder.
The permit to have a squirrel as a pet in Nebraska costs $33 and can be found here. The permit must be acquired BEFORE you obtain the squirrel.
Nebraska’s Game and Parks website states “Before a permit is issued a Conservation Officer will come to your property and inspect pens or enclosures to ensure there is adequate shelter and structures for the animals you wish to acquire. After you pass inspection, a permit will be issued and you can purchase the animals you indicated you want to raise.”
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Nevada?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Nevada.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in New Hampshire?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in New Hampshire
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in New Jersey?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in New Hampshire.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in New Mexico?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in New Mexico.
https://www.nmlegis.gov/sessions/99%20Regular/FinalVersions/SB0287.html
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in New York?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in New York (both the state and the city.)
https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ny-exotic-chapter-43-b-consolidated-laws-0
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in North Carolina?
It is not legal to keep a Squirrel as a pet in North Carolina
https://www.ncwildlife.org/Licensing/Other-Licenses-and-Permits/Wildlife-Captivity-License
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in North Dakota?
Pet squirrels are legal in North Dakota with a non-traditional livestock license so long as the squirrel is from a USDA licensed breeder.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Ohio?
Pet squirrels are legal in Ohio as long as you obtain them from a USDA breeder.
A non-commercial wild animal propagation permit must be obtained in order to keep a pet squirrel in Ohio.
The permit is $25 and can be found here. You can legally keep up to four captive-bred squirrels in Ohio.
It is illegal to sell or trade squirrels in Ohio without a state permit, and federally illegal to sell or trade squirrels without a USDA permit as well.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Oklahoma
Pet squirrels are legal to keep in Oklahoma with a permit and when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder.
In order to keep a squirrel as a pet in Oklahoma, you need to obtain a non-commercial breeder’s permit, which can be found here. The permit is $48 and needs to be renewed annually by July 1st. You must have an inspection done by a game warden before obtaining your pet squirrel.
You may not legally sell or trade squirrels without a permit from the USDA.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Oregon?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Oregon.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Pennsylvania?
Pet squirrels are legal in Pennsylvania, but they must come from a USDA breeder in Pennsylvania that has been approved by the Pennsylvania Game Commission Special Permits Enforcement Division. Please contact the Division for more information.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Rhode Island?
It is not legal to keep a Squirrel as a pet in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island state law says that “All native wild animals are expressly prohibited from importation or ownership without the issuance of a valid permit by the Department. Ownership is restricted to the Department, the USFWS, AZA certified zoos and aquariums, research institutions and researchers involved in approved bona fide research or project as determined by the Director, and authorized USDA licensed exhibitors”
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in South Carolina?
Under some circumstances, pet squirrels are legal in South Carolina.
If the squirrel was taken from the wild in South Carolina, it can legally be kept as a pet. Squirrels may not be imported into South Carolina from other states, meaning you cannot move to South Carolina with a squirrel even if it was born in captivity.
It is important to note that, although technically legal, South Carolina is not a safe state for pet squirrels. This is because if someone so much as comes in contact with your pet squirrel (or claims to) and contacts SCDHEC, your pet squirrel will be euthanized.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in South Dakota?
Pet squirrels are apparently legal in South Dakota when from a USDA licensed breeder. Contact the Animal Industry Board for more information on having a pet squirrel in South Dakota.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Tennessee?
It is legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Tennessee with a permit, as long as the animal is purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. The squirrel must be captive born and cannot be taken from the wild.
If you want a pet squirrel in Tennessee, you must have a Wildlife Possession Permit for Class II animals. The permit is $31 and must be renewed yearly. If you are purchasing a squirrel from an approved facility from another state, you will need to get an importation permit. The importation permit costs $31, is valid for 30 days, and does not need to be renewed once the animal is imported.
It is illegal to keep wild born squirrel in the state of Tennessee. It is also federally illegal to purchase a squirrel from a breeder who is not USDA registered.
For more information on wildlife possession permits in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency’s website.
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Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Texas?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Texas as it is not legal to keep native species.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Utah?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Utah as keeping native species is illegal
Are pet Squirrels legal in Vermont?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Vermont.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Virginia?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Virginia.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Washington State?
It is not legal to keep a squirrel as a pet in Washington State.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in West Virginia?
Having a pet squirrel is apparently legal in West Virginia when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder. Contact the West Virginia department of Agriculture for more information. (And get back to me and tell me what they say because I can’t find the initial email they sent me last year and I am too embarrassed to call and email again.)
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Wisconsin?
Squirrels are legal in Wisconsin when the squirrels are from a USDA licensed breeder. Red squirrels do not need a permit in Wisconsin, other species like grey and fox squirrels might.
In order to keep a species of squirrel other than a red squirrel Wisconsin, you may need a Captive Wild Animal Farm license, which can be found here and must be renewed annually. Contact the Wisconsin DNR for more info on pet squirrel permitting.
Are Pet Squirrels Legal in Wyoming?
Pet squirrels are apparently legal in Wyoming when from a USDA licensed breeder, but I am not sure if you can import them. Feel free to contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and get back to me.
