State rankings
Pet Squirrel Legal States
Pet Squirrel Legal States: compare 50 US states on 2 metrics.
EnvironmentLaw50 states · 2 metricsUpdated Apr 2, 2025Original page
18 sources
- Are Pet Squirrels Legal In My State? - Exotic Pet Wonderland
- Pets Banned in Alabama - AL
- Legal Pets - Alaska
- Can You Keep A Squirrel As A Pet What You Need to Consider - Squirrel Enthusiast
- 5 Popular Animals That are Illegal as Pets in California - Mission Legal Center
- Don't Domesticate - Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Exotic Animals - Delaware Department of Agriculture
- 10 Exotic Pets That Are Legal in Florida - Pet Helpful
- Why Is It Illegal To Have A Pet Squirrel Louisiana - Squirrel Arena
- The Legality of Owning a Squirrel and Other Important Things to Consider - Pet Blog
- Leave Young Wildlife Alone - Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
- Can You Keep Wildlife As Pets? - Advanced Wildlife Control
- Can You Have A Pet Squirrel In Montana? - Squirrel Enthusiast
- What Exotic Pets Are Legal in Nebraska - Loup City
- Permits - Wyoming Game and Fish Department
- Chapter 169. Captive Wildlife - Animal Legal and Historical Center
- Squirrels as Neighbors - The Wildlife Center of Virginia
- Squirrel - Nevada Department of Wildlife
Legality of Pet Squirrels
2 values across 50 entries
Data
Click a column to sort.
50 states
 Alabama | Illegal | — |
 Alaska | Illegal | — |
 Arizona | Illegal | — |
 Arkansas | Legal | 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. |
 California | Illegal | — |
 Colorado | Illegal | — |
 Connecticut | Illegal | — |
 Delaware | Illegal | — |
 Florida | Legal | With a Class III Personal Pet No-Cost Permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder., 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. |
 Georgia | Illegal | — |
 Hawaii | Illegal | — |
 Idaho | Legal | The Idaho State Department of Agriculture does not explicitly mention squirrels on its Household Pet Imports page, but certain exotic species, such as African tree squirrels, are classified as "Deleterious Exotic Animals" and require special permits. While common native squirr… |
 Illinois | Illegal | — |
 Indiana | Legal | With a Class I Wild Animal Possession permit when the animal is purchased from a USDA permitted breeder. |
 Iowa | Legal | With a game breeders license |
 Kansas | Illegal | — |
 Kentucky | Legal | With a permit when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder |
 Louisiana | Illegal | — |
 Maine | Illegal | — |
 Maryland | Illegal | — |
 Massachusetts | Illegal | — |
 Michigan | Legal | With a permit when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder |
 Minnesota | Illegal | — |
 Mississippi | Illegal | — |
 Missouri | Illegal | — |
 Montana | Illegal | It is allowed to keep flying squirrels |
 Nebraska | Legal | With a permit when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder |
 Nevada | Illegal | — |
 New Hampshire | Illegal | — |
 New Jersey | Illegal | — |
 New Mexico | Illegal | — |
 New York | Illegal | — |
 North Carolina | Illegal | — |
 North Dakota | Illegal | — |
 Ohio | Legal | As long as you obtain them from a USDA breeder., 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. |
 Oklahoma | Legal | With a permit when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder |
 Oregon | Illegal | — |
 Pennsylvania | Legal | 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. |
 Rhode Island | Illegal | — |
 South Carolina | Legal | 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. |
 South Dakota | Legal | With a permit when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder |
 Tennessee | Legal | 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. |
 Texas | Illegal | — |
 Utah | Illegal | — |
 Vermont | Illegal | — |
 Virginia | Illegal | — |
 Washington | Illegal | — |
 West Virginia | Legal | With a permit when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder |
 Wisconsin | Legal | 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. |
 Wyoming | Legal | With a permit when purchased from a USDA licensed breeder |
Quick answers
- Where does this pet squirrel legal states data come from?
- Rankodex compiles it from World Population Review and the primary sources it cites: Are Pet Squirrels Legal In My State? - Exotic Pet Wonderland; Pets Banned in Alabama - AL; Legal Pets - Alaska; Can You Keep A Squirrel As A Pet What You Need to Consider - Squirrel Enthusiast.