Are Ferrets Illegal in My State

Ferrets are illegal in several areas including: Hawaii; Washington, DC; Dallas, Ft. Worth, Beaumont, and various cities in TX; Bloomington and Burnsville, MN; Tulsa, OK; and Columbus, OH. London, York, and East York, Ontario, Canada and Puerto Rico as well.

Although ferrets aren’t actually illegal in New York City or Minneapolis, MN, they are not welcomed and may be confiscated or ticketed. 

Similarly, although it’s legal to own ferrets in South Carolina, it’s not legal to sell them there, and the state is known to be pretty ferret-unfriendly.

Here’s a list of United States laws on legal ferret ownership:

1. Alabama: Yes. Ferrets are legal to own in the state of Alabama.
2. Alaska: Yes. Alaska legalized ferret ownership in 1985.
3. Arizona: Yes. Ferrets are allowed in the state of Alabama.
4. Arkansas: Yes. Ferrets are completely legal in all counties of Arkansas.
5. California: No. ferrets are illegal in the entire state of California.
6. Colorado: Yes. Ferrets are legal to own in the state of Colorado.
7. Connecticut: Yes. Ferrets are legal to own in the state of Connecticut.
8. Delaware: Yes, but you must keep your ferret up to date on their rabies vaccinations like a dog or cat.
9. Florida: Yes. I have not been able to find any laws that says ferrets are illegal in Florida.
10. Georgia: Yes. Georgia law changed to allow ferret ownership in 1991.
11. Hawaii: No. ferrets are illegal in the entire island of Hawaii. They are considered a non-native invasive pest species.
12. Idaho: Yes. Ferrets are legal to own in the entire state of Idaho.
13. Illinois: Legal, but a free ferret permit is required.
14. Indiana: Legal, expect in Bloomington, Indiana.
15. Iowa: Yes. Iowa should be legal, but check your local laws since your city may have it’s own rules.
16. Kansas: Yes, ferrets are legal in Kansas.
17. Kentucky: Yes. As of 1998 you can have ferrets in kentucky without having a permit or paying a fee, so its totally legal.
18. Louisiana: Yes. I have friends in Shreveport, La. and yes, ferrets have always been legal there as far as I know.
19. Maine: Yes. Ferrets have never been prohibited by state law in 36 states, Maine being one of those states.
20. Maryland: Yes, ferrets are legal in Maryland. There are many ferret clubs, shelters, and organizations located in Maryland.
21. Massachusetts: Massachusetts has allowed ferrets, by law, since 1995. 
22. Michigan: Yes. Michigan legalized ferret ownership in 1994.
23. Minnesota: Legal, except in cities where local ordinances forbid ferrets, like Bloomington and Burnsville. St. Paul, MN requires a one-time fee of $25 to own ferrets.
24. Mississippi: U Yes. Generally speaking ferrets are legal in Mississippi, however some townships, counties or cities even may have their own legislature on the matter so you’d have to call either the county courthouse or city hall to find out.
25. Missouri: Legal statewide, except for local rules that ban ferrets in Columbia, Missouri.
26. Montana: Yes. Montana legally allows ferrets as pets.
27. Nebraska: Yes. In Nebraska, it goes by city for legality. Ferrets used to be illegal in Omaha until 2003 or so when they redid the city code.
28. Nevada: Yes. Google lists ferret breeders in Nevada, so they are legal in all areas, including Reno and Las Vegas. However, in Carson City, Nevada, it is illegal to own a ferret if you have a small child in your household.
29. New Hampshire: Yes. New Hampshire legalized ferret ownership in 1993.
30. New Jersey: Legal, but a permit of $10 per year is required.
31. New Mexico: Yes. New Mexico allows ferrets as pets in all counties.
32. New York: Ferrets are legal in New York State, but illegal within the New York City limits. You cannot have them in any of New York City’s five boroughs.
33. North Carolina: Yes, ferrets are legal unless their is a bylaw or town ordinance prohibiting it. Otherwise ferrets are usually not banned and many North Carolinians have them as pets.
34. North Dakota: Yes. Ferrets are permitted by law in North Dakota. 
35. Ohio: Legal, except in Columbus City, OH.
36. Oklahoma: Yes. Ferrets are legal in Oklahoma.
37. Oregon: Yes. In Oregon, llamas, alpacas, geckos, hedge hogs and ferrets are legal.
38. Pennsylvania: Yes. Pennsylvania legalized ferret ownership in 1987.
39. Rhode Island: Legal, but a permit of $10 per year is required.
40. South Carolina: South Carolina makes it legal to own a ferret, but illegal to sell one in pet stores.
41. South Dakota: Yes. Ferrets are permitted by law in South Dakota. 
42. Tennessee: Yes. Everywhere in TN it is legal to purchase, and keep in premises, a ferret.
43. Texas: Ferrets are legal in the state of Texas, except in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Beaumont city.
44. Utah: Utah changed the law to allow ferrets as pets in 1993. However, ferrets are illegal in Davis county.
45. Vermont: Yes. Vermont legalized ferret ownership in 1989.
46. Virginia: Yes. But In Virginia you are required to have a permit. This statement is from Gloucester County and may be slightly different in each county, but it looks like they are slightly restricted.
47. Washington: Yes. Ferrets are legal pets in Washington state.
48. Washington, DC: No. Ferret ownership is not allowed in Washington, DC.
49. West Virginia: Yes. Ferrets are legal in all cities, including Charleston and Morgantown.
50. Wisconsin: Pet ferrets are legal in Wisconsin, but an import permit from the state department of agriculture is required to bring one into the state.
51. Wyoming: Ferrets are allowed as legal pets in Wyoming.

Outside the US:

• Ontario, Canada: Illegal in London, York, and East York
• Puerto Rico: Ferrets as pets are illegal.

City, county, state, or military regulations can all dictate whether or not it is legal for you to own, breed, or sell a ferret where you live. Many military bases also ban ferrets. It seems to be at the discretion of the base commander.

Local laws (such as city or county) can choose to follow state guidelines, or can provide a stricter law. For this reason, many counties or cities in states where ferrets are legal have their own laws that may ban or restrict ferrets, such as New York City, Washington D.C., and Dallas, Texas.

You can find out about your town by calling the local Wildlife Department or Fish and Game Department, the humane society, or local vets.