Where are ferrets legal to own in the US?

Answer 1

Ferret ownership may be governed by individual states, like in California and Hawaii. but also may be governed by individual cities in each state. You need to contact your local city government office - each one is governed by ordinances set in place by the city council. Since laws are subject to change frequently the question on where ferrets are legal may change in the area that you live in.

It depends on where you live - ferrets may be completely unregulated, require a license to breed but not to own, require a permit to own, or be entirely illegal and this varies by state or province, county, and city.

Pet legality is governed in cities, so they may be legal in certain parts of the states, and banned in other areas. Contact your city and inquire about city ordinances on pets.

Check locally before you buy a ferret, call your local Wildlife Department or Fish and Game Department, the humane society, or veterinarians.

Ferrets are restricted by some individual cities, such as, Washington, DC and New York City. In New York City - June 29th 1999, ferrets were banned in New York City's five boroughs. Ferrets are LEGAL in the rest of New York State. The ban only applies to New York City's five boroughs. Ferrets are legal in Long Island. However, Staten Island is part of New York City.

Ferrets are also prohibited on many military bases.

A permit to own a ferret is needed in Rhode Island.

Illinois and Georgia do not require a permit to merely possess a ferret, but a permit is required to breed ferrets.

It was once illegal to own ferrets in Dallas, Texas, but the current Dallas City Code for Animals includes regulations for the vaccination of ferrets.

Ferrets are legal in Wisconsin, but an import permit from the state department of agriculture is required to bring one into the state.

Ferrets are illegal in California under Fish and Game Code Section 2118 and the California Code of Regulations.

"Ferrets are strictly prohibited as pets under Hawaii lawbecause they are potential carriers of the rabies virus"; the territory of Puerto Rico has a similar law.