Which States Allow Hedgehogs as Pets

hedgehog in front of a map of the United States with the states marked in green that allow hedgehogs as pets while holding a protest sign for the states where they are illegal

Who could blame anyone that wants a hedgehog? I mean, c'mon! Who wouldn't want to own a hedgie? However, it's important to know which states allow hedgehogs as pets. You certainly don't want legal issues by having them in a state that bans them. Sadly, in states where they're considered illegal, hedgehogs can be confiscated. Shockingly, they may even euthanize a confiscated hedgehog. Honestly, it would be easier to show you a short list of states where hedgehogs are illegal. But so you can be sure, we'll tell you which states allow hedgies as pets. We'll also let you know which states have restrictions that may interfere with your quilly obsession. And if you're thinking of proceeding with hedgehog ownership in one of the states where they're illegal, we'd like to give you some compelling reasons to reconsider.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: We would like to thank Savannah Brady for allowing us to use the picture of her hedgehog which we modified to be our protester in this article.

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What's the Harm In Having a hedgehog?

vanilla colored hedgehog with a sweet and innocent face
Our gratitude to Tanja Hall for granting us the permission to use her hedgehog's picture.

Seriously! Look at that adorable face! Trust me when we say that we totally understand how ridiculous it is that there are actually states where pet hedgehogs are illegal. In our opinion, some of these states allow pets that are far more dangerous than a hedgehog could ever be. We won't go throwing any genus or species names around, but we're pretty sure that you'll have one or a few come to mind. So what gives?

We believe that fear and ignorance is what creates unreasonable restrictions when it comes to laws concerning hedgehogs as pets. They aren't rodents or pestilence. They don't carry salmonella without being exposed to it – which is true of all animals – not just hedgehogs. There isn't any negative environmental impact caused by you owning one. We guarantee there won't be a zombie apocalypse created by hedgehog ownership! Nonetheless, we don't want any harm to befall them because they're living in one of the states that doesn't allow hedgehogs as pets.

The Short List Of Where Hedgehogs Are Illegal

At the time of this article posting, there are only five states that have legislation making it illegal to own a hedgehog as a pet:

California

California certainly isn't on the list of states that allow hedgehogs as pets! In the Golden State, they have a hard-line stance on having hedgehogs as pets. We've read their reasoning for it and we are going to repeat ourselves that the statutes in place are based on fear and/or ignorance.

hedgehog holding a protest sign in front of a blurred background of the bay bridge in California where they're illegal

They've categorized several animals as being a danger to safety. While that may be true for some animals that have been banned, it's hardly applicable to African Pygmy hedgehogs. Oh! And be careful of those gerbils…those pose a threat as well! Please read the following direct quote:

Section 671, Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) was established to restrict the possession of thousands of different species of animals for one or more of the following reasons: (1) because their numbers are threatened or endangered in the wild, (2) because they pose a threat to our native fish and wildlife, agriculture or public health and safety. The Legislature, in Section 2118 of the Fish and Game Code, included all species of the Order Insectivora on its list of prohibited species.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

And forget the idea of trying to get a permit to have a hedgehog as a pet in California. They only allow permits for hedgehogs “to qualified individuals or institutions for limited purposes such as research, public exhibition, or shelter… Permits are not issued to import or possess any wild animal for pet purposes.” And they do consider a hedgehog a wild animal.

Georgia

hedgehog holding a protest sign in front of a blurred background of Georgia's welcome sign where they're illegal

The bottom line is that hedgehogs are illegal in the state of Georgia unless you obtain a permit as referenced in O.C.G.A. Section 27-5-4. It has gone through the rumor mill that you can own a hedgehog in Georgia on a “technicality” since they aren't specifically listed in Section 27-5-5 (b)(1)(B).

Ummm…technically speaking, the biological order called Insectivora was abandoned and a subset of them were classified in a new order called Eulipotyphyla. Yet the Georgia code still uses the order Insectivora. Potatoe, potato, tomatoe, tomato….make no mistake…. that's not a battle you want to fight. You're unlikely to win because there's verbiage in the code that leaves law enforcement a wide berth. We have quoted the code for you below:

Georgia Code

TITLE 27 Game and Fish / Chapter 5 Wild Animals

Section 27-5-5. Wild animals for which license or permit required:

(b) Except as provided in this Code section, a license or permit is required for the following wild animals and any others specified by regulation of the board:

(1) Class Mammalia:

(B) Order Insectivora (shrews, moles, etc.) — All species;

O.C.G.A. Section 27-5-5

The terms “etc.” and “All species” are catch-all words that cover law enforcement for anything not specifically specified in the code. Hopefully one day, there will be an exception that says All species except Atelerix albiventris; or any other normally domesticated species. Until such time, if you want to own a hedgehog in Georgia, apply for the permit and pray they grant it. Oddly enough, they'll allow licensed breeders to have hedgehogs as long as they aren't sold within the state – but no pets!

What Got Georgia's Dander Up?

And in case you're wondering why such legislation is even on the books. Once again, fear and ignorance. The State Veterinarian, Robert Cobb, has been quoted saying, “This has to do with spreading of disease to our domestic species, as well as our wildlife that is indigenous to the state of Georgia. That's the big issue.” The basis for this belief? An article published 15 years ago by the CDC that produced a scare when it said, “Such animals can carry and introduce zoonotic agents, a fact well illustrated by the recent outbreak of monkeypox in pet prairie dogs.” Interestingly, the author affiliations for this article are with the University of California, in another state that believes hedgehogs are a danger to safety. If you'd like to read more about zoonotic diseases that hedgehogs can carry -if they are exposed to it – please read this.

Hawaii

If you ask, which states allow hedgehogs as pets, you won't find Hawaii on the list either. Hawaii's way of making hedgehog ownership illegal is by a law of omission. Let us explain. They have a law that has lists of animals that fall into one of four categories:

hedgehog holding a protest sign in front of a blurred background of Polynesian dancers in Hawaii where they're illegal

And if you read each and every list, hedgehog does not appear on any of them. But here's the gotcha…”Any animal that is not found on any of the lists is considered prohibited“. They mean business too because if caught, it could mean up to 3 years in jail and/or fines up to $500,000! Hawaii is very protective of their botanical and tropical flora, as well as native insects that exist there. So, they fear feral hedgehogs on the island would endanger these things.

Pennsylvania

hedgehog protesting in front of the Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania where hedgehogs are illegal to have as pets

Another one. Pennsylvania is definitely not a state which allows hedgehogs as pets! In fact, we found ourselves quickly caught up in a convoluted mess regarding legalities. In years gone by, hedgehogs were able to be kept as pets as long as it could be proven that they were bred and born within the state by breeders legally permitted to do so. No imported lineage.

There have been conflicting stories of how that privilege was removed. Suffice it to say that exotic animals can and have been seized in Pennsylvania. As things are in February 2020, exotic animals require a $50 annual permit from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to have as a pet. However, permits are not granted unless:

Applicant shall provide documentation of at least 2 years experience of hands-on work with the designated species. Letter of approval from local governmental body must accompany application.

And there's the rub. In fact, we weren't even able to download a special permit application anywhere on the Pennsylvania Game Commission website. The above quote comes from a 2018 special permit application posted elsewhere on the internet. We have no way of knowing if there are updated applications thereafter.

The 5 Buroughs of New York City

For those who don't know, New York City is so large that is has five county-level administrative districts called boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. We never knew that until we did the research for this article. It's hard to imagine a city that big.

hedgehog holding a protest sign in front of a blurred background of New York City where they're illegal

Within New York City, the particular local legislation that governs making hedgehogs illegal is the New York City Public Health Code Title IV Part B Article 161.01 (b) (23). Apparently, like other states where hedgehogs are illegal, there is an underlying fear of them being a health safety risk.

(d)   An animal whose possession is prohibited pursuant to this section may be seized by any authorized employee, officer or agent of the Department or of any other agency of the City of New York, and the Commissioner shall provide for such animal's appropriate disposition.

NYC Health Code and Rules
Hedgehog supplies from Chewy

Researching Which States Allow Hedgehogs As Pets

As we previously mentioned, the list of states that are hedgehog-friendly is much, much longer than ones that are hedgehog-hostile. We also want to remind everyone that even if having a hedgehog as a pet is legal at the state level, smaller local governments can have stricter laws which will govern your ability to own hedgies where you are.

It's always best to check into it (not all states are represented to search on the linked site). That includes counties, cities, and in large cities, districts. We searched by using “exotic” and/or “hedgehog” as search terms. When using the word “exotic”, you'll have to find their definitions to determine what constitutes an exotic animal to that governmental body. Believe it or not, some progressive townships don't classify hedgehogs as exotic because they are bred and raised in captivity as tame animals.

If you can't really tell whether your local government considers hedgehogs to be exotic animals requiring a permit to own, you may need to call. Whatever you do, DON'T identify yourself or address! You don't want an over-zealous government official knocking on your door saying that you have a hedgehog in your home illegally! If you don't think it happens, you're wrong. We know people it has happened to! So save yourself the grief. Simply find out what their requirements are and take the steps that are needed to comply.

The Long List: Which States Allow Hedgehogs As Pets

Alabama
Arizona
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Illinois
Iowa
Kentucky
Maine
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Texas
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin**

Alaska
Arkansas
Connecticut
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
New Jersey**
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
South Carolina
Tennessee
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia
Wyoming*

* States That Removed Restrictions on Hedgehogs

Hedgehog Permits Not Required In Wyoming

While doing our research, several sites stated that Wyoming allowed hedgehogs but required a permit. Even a highly referenced source such as Wikipedia incorrectly stated it at the time of this post (Feb. 2020). Maybe they'll see this article and revise their information. Perhaps Wyoming had permits at one time. Nonetheless, our information comes straight from Wyoming's Game and Fish Department website. They have an organized table that specifies which animals require a permit. And no, hedgehogs do not! YAY!

** States That Allow Hedgehogs As Pets With Restrictions

New Jersey Requires A Permit

Several sites on the internet haven't been too sure whether hedgehogs are allowed as pets in New Jersey without a permit. You read it here with proof: Residents of New Jersey must have an $10 annual permit to own a hedgehog as a pet. Since hedgehogs are not specifically listed as an exempt exotic mammal, you must obtain an Individual Hobby permit according to NJ Administrative Code Section 7:25-4.2 & 7:25-4.6(a)

(a) Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall possess any nongame species or exotic species of any mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian unless such person has first received both the appropriate permit from the Department as listed in 7:25-4.6(a) as well as any other state, municipal, or Federal permits or licenses which may be required to possess such species.

NJAC 7:25-4.2 (a)

Moving To Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is one of those friendly states that allow hedgehogs as pets and even consider them companion animals and household pets, BUT. Yes, there's a disclaimer. If you're bringing a hedgehog, or any other household pets, into their state from another state on vacation, or moving there, you have to jump through a few hoops. You have to get an Animal Movement Import Permit, which has some requirements you need to meet before they'll issue it.

A “household pet” is an animal from a traditional companion animal species: dog, domestic cat, ferret, hedgehog, pet bird, rabbit, or domestic rodent (gerbil, guinea pig, hamster, or domestic mouse or rat). All other animals kept as pets, including dog hybrids, domestic cat hybrids, and exotic small cat species such as servals, are either considered livestock or exotic pets.

“Importing” refers to animals being brought into Wisconsin during vacation travel as well as animals relocating permanently into the state.

Final Thoughts: States That Allow Hedgehogs As Pets

As you can see, there are many more states that allow hedgehogs than there are that don't. It gives us hope that someday all states will welcome hedgehogs. Please keep in mind that your county or city may have ordinances that prevent you from having a hedgehog as a pet. Or, they may require a permit in order to be in compliance. Please look into it.

If you live in one of the locations that have recently legalized hedgehog ownership, we would like to leave you with something to consider. We know you must be really excited to legally have a hedgehog as a pet. Before you rush to get a hedgehog to give them their forever home, please locate a qualified hedgehog veterinarian first. You see, since hedgehogs are new to the locale, there may not be an exotic pet veterinarian to treat your ouch mouse yet. Let's always remember that with the privilege to have hedgehogs, comes the responsibility to love and provide for their needs. We all want them well cared for don't we?

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partial image of a hedgehog holding a protest sign with a map of the United States in the background
partial image of a hedgehog holding a protest sign in front of the Statue of Liberty in New York City, which is a hedgehog illegal city with 5 Buroughs
partial image of a hedgehog holding a protest sign in front of the Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania, which is a hedgehog illegal state
partial image of a hedgehog holding a protest sign with Hawaii, which is a hedgehog illegal state, in the background
partial image of a hedgehog holding a protest sign with Georgia, which is a hedgehog illegal state in the background
partial image of a hedgehog holding a protest sign with California which is a hedgehog illegal state in the background
Hedgehog supplies from Chewy
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