Is it legal to own a ferret? A state-by-state guide
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
The domestic ferret is a small, long-bodied carnivore in the weasel family. It is most likely a domesticated form of the European polecat, with domestication dated to around 2,500 years ago. An adult averages about 20 inches including the tail and weighs roughly 1.5 to 4.4 pounds, with males considerably bigger than females. Ferrets sleep much of the day and are most active around dawn and dusk. They're a popular pet, with over five million in the U.S. alone, but whether you can keep one depends on where you live, so people ask.
Banned 2Permit needed 2Depends 2No state restriction found 41Not verified yet 4
State by state
Tap a state name for every animal we cover there. The source link on each row goes to the rule itself.
| State | Status | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are not restricted by the state wildlife rules, and no permit is required. Alabama does require rabies vaccination for ferrets.Rabies vaccination required | Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.26; Ala. Code 3-7A-2 |
| Alaska | No state restriction found | European (domestic) ferrets are on Alaska's clean list and may be kept without a state permit. They may not be released.Clean list species; may not be released into the wild | 5 AAC 92.029(b) |
| Arizona | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Arizona's rule for this animal yet. Ask Arizona Game and Fish Department before you buy. | Agency page |
| Arkansas | No state restriction found | The domestic ferret is on the state's unrestricted list, so no Commission permit is needed to keep, breed, sell or import it. | AGFC Code Addendum R1.01 (Unrestricted Captiv... |
| California | Banned | Ferrets are named in the restricted carnivore order and all Mustelidae are restricted, with no ferret exception. The only permits are for specified purposes such as exhibiting, breeding or research, so there is no pet permit. | 14 CCR 671(c)(2)(K)5 |
| Colorado | No state restriction found | Domesticated European ferrets are on Colorado's domestic animal list and are exempt from state wildlife licensing. No state licence is required. | 2 CCR 406-11 #1103(A) |
| Connecticut | No state restriction found | State law says domestic ferrets are not wild mammals, so no wildlife permit is needed. The state ferret licence statute was repealed. | Conn. Gen. Stat. 26-55(a); 26-44 (repealed) |
| Delaware | No state restriction found | Ferrets are named as exempt from the Delaware exotic animal permit requirement. No state permit is needed. | 3 DE Admin. Code 903 sec. 6.1.1 |
| District of Columbia | No state restriction found | Ferrets are named in the exception list to the District ban on possessing living animals as pets, so no state-level permit applies. | D.C. Code 8-1808(j)(1) |
| Florida | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are named as needing no state permit for personal use. This covers the usual pet ferret only.No state permit needed for personal use | Fla. Admin. Code 68A-6.003(14)(h) |
| Georgia | Depends | Domestic ferrets may be kept as pets without a licence if the owner holds proof the ferret was neutered before seven months of age and is vaccinated against rabies.Neutered before 7 months; USDA-approved rabies vaccine; keep documentation | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-4-8-.05(1)(a)3; O.C.... |
| Hawaii | Banned | Domestic ferrets are on Hawaii's research and exhibition list only, so private individuals cannot keep them as pets.Listed only on Part A (research and exhibition); not available for private pets | HAR 4-71-6.5(b)(2), Restricted Animal List Pa... |
| Idaho | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are named as conventional pets in Idaho and need no state permit.Not intended for release into the wild | IDAPA 13.01.10.010(06) and 13.01.10.200(06)(b) |
| Illinois | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are not named in the Illinois dangerous animal list or the protected wildlife list, so no state permit is needed. Local rules were not checked. | 720 ILCS 5/48-10; 520 ILCS 5/2.2 |
| Indiana | No state restriction found | Indiana does not name the domestic ferret. Mammals not named in the rules are exempted wild animals and no state permit is listed for it. | 312 IAC 9-3-20 |
| Iowa | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are not on Iowa's dangerous wild animal list or its fur-bearing animal list, so no state permit applies. Check local rules. | Iowa Code ch. 717F (not covered) |
| Kansas | No state restriction found | No Kansas rule found requires a permit for a pet domestic ferret. It is a nonnative species, so under the exotic wildlife rule it may be possessed if legally obtained and kept confined.Legal origin required; must be confined | K.A.R. 115-20-3(a), (d) |
| Kentucky | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Kentucky's rule for this animal yet. Ask Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources before you buy. | |
| Louisiana | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are not named on any Louisiana prohibited or permit list I read, so no state permit applies. | LAC 76:V.115(C); LAC 76:XV.101(K); LAC 76:V.701 |
| Maine | No state restriction found | The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) is on Maine's Unrestricted Species list, so no state permit is needed. Keep it humanely and safely. | 09-137 CMR ch. 7, secs. 7.06(1), 7.18(2)(F)(2... |
| Maryland | No state restriction found | Maryland's wildlife rabies rule expressly says it does not prohibit importing or possessing European ferrets, which covers domestic ferrets. No state permit rule was found. | COMAR 08.03.09.03C |
| Massachusetts | Depends | Ferrets may be kept as household pets without a permit, but must be vaccinated against rabies and distemper and surgically neutered or spayed, with certificates kept by the owner.Neutered or spayed; rabies and canine distemper inoculations | 321 CMR 2.07(2)-(4), 9.02(2)(b) |
| Michigan | No state restriction found | Michigan does not ban or license pet ferrets at state level. The state agriculture department only sets movement rules, such as a health certificate for import. Local rules may differ.Interstate certificate of veterinary inspection to import | MCL 324.41301(1)(k) and (o) (Part 413 lists);... |
| Minnesota | No state restriction found | Minnesota does not list the domestic ferret as a protected wild animal, a regulated animal or a prohibited invasive species, so no state permit or ban was found. | Minn. Stat. 97A.015 subd. 39 and 53; 97A.501... |
| Mississippi | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are not on any Mississippi list of prohibited or permit-only animals that I read. Only the wolverine is named from the weasel family in the dangerous-animal list. Out-of-state animals need an import permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4... |
| Missouri | No state restriction found | Missouri lets people keep a domestic ferret without a state permit because it is not native to Missouri and is not on the prohibited species list. | 3 CSR 10-9.110(2) |
| Montana | No state restriction found | Montana's wildlife definitions treat Eurasian ferrets as domestic animals, which are not wildlife and fall outside the exotic wildlife permit rules. No state permit is required for a pet ferret. | MCA 87-5-702(2) and (12) |
| Nebraska | No state restriction found | The domestic ferret is a domesticated animal, and Nebraska's wildlife rules cover only nondomesticated species. No permit or ban for ferrets was found in the rules read. | Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-247 |
| Nevada | No state restriction found | Nevada names the European ferret (Mustela putorius), which includes the domestic ferret, as an animal that may be kept without an NDOW license.No NDOW license needed; animals may not be released into the wild | NAC 503.140(1)(t) |
| New Hampshire | No state restriction found | Domesticated ferrets are named as non-controlled in New Hampshire, so no possession permit is required. | N.H. Admin. Code Fis 804.02(b) |
| New Jersey | Permit needed | Domestic ferrets are named on New Jersey's list of exotic species requiring a possession permit. A pet owner needs an Individual Hobby permit from the state.Individual Hobby permit; $10 per year | N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.3(a)2 |
| New Mexico | No state restriction found | The domestic ferret is in group I of the Director's Species Importation List, so no importation permit is needed. The department possession permit rule covers only groups II, III and IV.Group I | Director's Species Importation List, group I;... |
| New York | No state restriction found | The domestic ferret is not on New York's dangerous animal list or covered by the state wild-animal pet ban, so state law does not restrict it. | 6 NYCRR 180.1(b); ECL 11-0103(6)(e) |
| North Carolina | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are not named in North Carolina wildlife rules, and the captivity licence rule covers only native wild animals. Ferrets over four months old must be vaccinated against rabies. No state permit was found for keeping one.rabies vaccination required over 4 months | 15A NCAC 10H .1401(b); N.C.G.S. 130A-185(a) |
| North Dakota | No state restriction found | The State Board of Animal Health's page lists ferrets under Category 1, which needs no license. The rule text itself does not name ferrets, but a domestic ferret is not a nondomestic species.Category 1 per agency page | N.D. Admin. Code 48.1-09-01-02(1); agency Non... |
| Ohio | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are not on Ohio's dangerous wild animal list and need no state permit or licence. | ORC 935.01(C) |
| Oklahoma | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are named as exempt from Oklahoma wildlife permits and breeder licences. Only the black-footed ferret is excluded. Check local and federal rules separately. | OAC 800:25-25-3(a) |
| Oregon | No state restriction found | Oregon lists the ferret as a domestic animal exempt from its wildlife rules, so no wildlife permit is needed to keep one as a pet. | OAR 635-056-0020(10) |
| Pennsylvania | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Pennsylvania's rule for this animal yet. Ask Pennsylvania Game Commission before you buy. | Agency page |
| Rhode Island | Permit needed | A ferret does not need an exotic animal permit, but the rule requires a separate ferret possession permit issued through the Division of Fish and Wildlife.Ferret possession permit (Division of Fish and Wildlife) | 250-RICR-40-05-3 3.17(A)(6)(a)(11) |
| South Carolina | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are treated as pets under the state rabies law. They must have current rabies vaccination, renewed annually, and sellers must give buyers a bite warning notice.annual rabies vaccination | S.C. Code 47-5-50; 47-5-20 |
| South Dakota | Not verified yet | We could not confirm South Dakota's rule for this animal yet. Ask South Dakota Animal Industry Board (captive nondomestic animals) before you buy. | Agency page |
| Tennessee | No state restriction found | Ferrets are named as Class III wildlife, which needs no TWRA permit. Tennessee rabies and agriculture import rules may still apply.Class III; no TWRA permit | Tenn. Code 70-4-403(3)(D) |
| Texas | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are not named in Texas state possession rules. No state licence or permit applies. | Tex. Health & Safety Code 822.101(4); Tex. Pa... |
| Utah | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are listed as domestic animals, so Utah's wildlife rule does not require a permit to keep one.Listed as a domestic animal, so not governed by the Division's certificate of registration rule | Utah Admin. Code R657-3b-7 and Table 3b-1 |
| Vermont | No state restriction found | The domestic ferret (European ferret) is on Vermont's Domestic Species List and counts as a domestic pet under state law, so no wildlife permit is needed. Check with the Agency of Agriculture. | 20 V.S.A. 3541(3), (4); Vermont F&W Domestic... |
| Virginia | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are carved out of the weasel and relatives permit entry, so a pet ferret needs no state wildlife permit. | 4VAC15-30-40(A) |
| Washington | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are not wild animals under Washington law and are not named in any Washington prohibited, dangerous or deleterious list, so state law does not restrict them. | RCW 16.30.010(2); WAC 220-640-050; WAC 220-64... |
| West Virginia | No state restriction found | Not on West Virginia's dangerous wild animal list, and not a native mammal under the wildlife possession law, so no state permit is required. The domestic ferret is not native. | W. Va. Code R. 74-1-3; W. Va. Code 20-1-2 |
| Wisconsin | No state restriction found | The domestic ferret is a nonnative, domesticated animal. State wildlife law requires no licence or permit to keep one as a pet. | Wis. Stat. 169.04(4)(b); Wis. Admin. Code ATC... |
| Wyoming | No state restriction found | The domestic ferret is on Wyoming's short list of domestic animals and needs no state wildlife permit. | Wyo. Game & Fish Comm'n Ch. 10, Sections 2(i)... |
Federal law
No federal law restricts keeping one as a pet; state law decides.
Why states regulate it
Places that restrict ferrets usually cite wildlife and disease rather than danger to people. Colonies of feral ferrets and ferret-polecat hybrids have established themselves in remote parts of New Zealand and on the Shetland Islands, and in New Zealand they have damaged native wildlife. Rabies is another worry some jurisdictions give, since ferrets are potential carriers of the virus. Rules differ by state, and the table in this guide lays out what each state says.
Before you buy
- Ferrets sleep about 18 to 20 hours a day, then need supervised time out of the cage and at least an hour of interaction daily.
- Expect a musky smell. Ferrets also chew and swallow things, which can cause bowel obstruction, so toys with foam rubber, latex or small parts are out and every room they visit needs ferret-proofing.
- Ferrets are carnivores and need a high-fat, high-protein food made for ferrets. Dairy, fruit and vegetables are the wrong diet for them.
- Budget for vet care. Vets recommend a ferret-labelled distemper vaccine and a rabies vaccine, and adrenal disease is one of the common ferret diseases that regular vet visits aim to catch.
- Typical lifespan is about 6 to 10 years, according to the American Ferret Association, so this is a long commitment. Find an exotics vet first and ask a seller about the animal's age and health.
Sources for the facts about the animal: en.wikipedia.org, petmd.com, vetmed.illinois.edu.
Check your own state
The legality checker shows one animal in one state with its source, and exotic pet laws by state lists every state we cover. Related guides: African pygmy hedgehog, skunk, otter.
How we checked. For each state we read the statutes, administrative code and agency lists that govern keeping wild or exotic animals, and every row above links to the text it rests on. A second, independent reviewer then re-read the same sources, and a row is shown only if it survived that check. "Not verified yet" means a state's rule could not be read or confirmed, which is a gap in our data and not a green light. County and city ordinances, landlord and insurance rules, and federal law sit on top of the state rule. Read how we check. See an error? Email hello@creaturesincrisis.org with the link.
Quick answers
- Is it legal to own a ferret in California?
- Banned. Ferrets are named in the restricted carnivore order and all Mustelidae are restricted, with no ferret exception. The only permits are for specified purposes such as exhibiting, breeding or research, so there is no pet permit.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Texas?
- No state restriction found. Domestic ferrets are not named in Texas state possession rules. No state licence or permit applies.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Florida?
- No state restriction found. Domestic ferrets are named as needing no state permit for personal use. This covers the usual pet ferret only.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in New York?
- No state restriction found. The domestic ferret is not on New York's dangerous animal list or covered by the state wild-animal pet ban, so state law does not restrict it.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Pennsylvania?
- We could not confirm Pennsylvania's rule yet. Ask the state wildlife agency before you buy.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Illinois?
- No state restriction found. Domestic ferrets are not named in the Illinois dangerous animal list or the protected wildlife list, so no state permit is needed. Local rules were not checked.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Ohio?
- No state restriction found. Domestic ferrets are not on Ohio's dangerous wild animal list and need no state permit or licence.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Georgia?
- Depends. Domestic ferrets may be kept as pets without a licence if the owner holds proof the ferret was neutered before seven months of age and is vaccinated against rabies.
- Is ferret legal in every state?
- No. In our data it is banned in 2 states and needs a permit in 2. The table above shows each state.
- Does 'no state restriction found' mean I can buy one?
- No. It means the state rule we read does not ban it or require a state permit. County and city rules, federal law, sale and import rules and your landlord can still stop you.