American Ferret Association, Inc.

PO Box 554 g Frederick, Maryland 21705-0554

www.ferret.org g afa@ferret.org g 1-888-FERRET-1

Summary of State- And Territory-Level Ferret Regulations

July 2009

David Gaines - Director, AFA Legal and Legislative Affairs

County and city codes/ordinances are cited for large or prominent localities only. Omission of any

particular locality does not imply that ferrets are legal there.

* = Rabies vaccination required in this state

California Ferrets are illegal in California except by special permit issued by the Dept. of

Fish and Game.

From www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/species/nuis_exo/ferret/: “In California, domestic

ferrets are legal to import, transport, or possess only by permit. Permits are issued for

specific purposes, such as for medical research or for transportation of confiscated

ferrets or rescued stray ones out of state. Importation and possession of ferrets as

pets are not permitted in California. Many of the states in the U.S. that allow ferrets as

pets do so under permits or certain restrictions.”

“Since the mid 1980s, ferret organizations have promoted legalization of ferrets as

pets in the states that had prohibited such ownership. Eight states legalized ferrets as

not have to allow them entry without a properly signed search warrant. This search

warrant must show "probable cause"

(for example, if your neighbor reported you, his name must appear on the search

warrant).

“If they have a search warrant that meets the above criteria, and they find domestic

ferrets on your property or in your home, you have the right to make decisions

regarding your pet’s transport out of state. At your expense, you may choose to have

it shipped to a permanent adoptive home of your choice, in one of the 48 other states

that permits ownership. You may choose, at your expense, to have it sent to one of

Colorado - Colorado has arguably the most extensive ferret-related state-level regulations in the

country

- Particularly comprehensive state-level pet shop regulations that include ferrets within

the definition of “pet animal” (Colo. Rev. Stat.. § 35-80-102)

- Unusually detailed, ferret-specific regulations for the humane housing of ferrets in

pet stores. Cages must allow each pet animal to turn around, engage in normal

movements, and socialize with cage mates. Specific cage size chart is listed for

ferrets (8 Colo. Code Regs. § 1201-11), including specification of a hammock as an

acceptable sleeping platform, and banning cedar shavings as a bedding material.

- Ferrets are not included within the statute (§ 35-80-108) that prohibits anyone from

- Ferrets were at one time required to be licensed but that statute has been repealed

Delaware - State-level pet shop regulation, but only applicable to cats/dogs

District of Columbia

- Ferrets are illegal in the District of Columbia (§ 8-1808 (h)(1))

- The section of the D.C. code dealing with animal control contains a list of permitted

animals which includes only dogs, cats, rabbits, domesticated rodents, caged birds,

non-poisonous snakes, fish, turtles, and racing pigeons.

- However, per Peggy Keller (Chief, Div. of Animal Disease Prevention, Bureau of

Community Hygiene, D.C. Dept. of Health, 202/535-2322), exemption permits will be

used upon request on a case-by-case basis.

a pet without a license or permit; provided, however, that the ferret owner can provide

valid documentation that the ferret was sexually neutered prior to seven months of

age and is vaccinated against rabies with a properly administered vaccine approved

for use on ferrets by the United States Department of Agriculture” (O.C.G.A. § 27-5-

5(b)(1)(K))

Guam - Importation permissible via 120-day or expedited 30-day quarantine; 10 GCA

§34201 defines “dog or cat” as animals within the orders Carnivora, Marsupialia, and

Chiroptera

Hawai’i Due to the state’s rabies-free status, ferrets are illegal in Hawai’i.

Idaho* - No state-level pet shop regulation

Illinois - State-level pet shop regulation that indirectly includes ferrets (Ill. Ann. Stat. ch. 225,

para. 605/2)

- “It is unlawful to use a ferret or any other small mammal which is used in the same

or similar manner for which ferrets are used for the purpose of frightening or driving

any mammals from their dens or hiding places.” (520 ILCS 5/2.33)

- Licensing for pet ferrets is no longer required as of May 1 , 2007 (IL Admin. Code §

- “It is unlawful to have in possession while hunting or to use while hunting any ferret

or any device or any substance to be used for chasing animals from their dens.” (Iowa

Code 481A.53)

- Child care centers - Health and safety policies: “No ferrets, reptiles, including turtles,

or birds of the parrot family shall be kept on site.” (Iowa Admin. Code §

441—109.10(14))

Kansas - State-level pet shop regulation that indirectly includes ferrets (Kan. Stat. Ann. § 47-

1701)

- Wildlife, Parks, and Recreation: It is unlawful for any person, unless authorized by

law or rules and regulations of the secretary, to use ferrets in the holes, dens,

raised in captivity” (Kentucky Rev. Statutes § 150.355)

- “Ferret” is defined as “any musteline [sic] three (3) months of age or older for which

- Ferrets brought into the state must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary

Inspection and have rabies vax (4 months or older) (302 Kentucky Admin. Reg.

20:040, Sec. 10(2)(a))

- A ferret that has had rabies vax in another state is not required to be vaccinated

again when brought into the state (Kentucky Rev. Statutes § 258.035)

- City of Louisville requires that ferrets be licensed

Louisiana - State-level pet shop regulation that indirectly includes ferrets (La. Rev. Stat. Ann.

examination for adult canine dentition. (Maine Rev. Stat. Title 7, §3970-A)

- Cannot import a ferret less than 8 weeks of age without its mother. (Maine Rev.

Stat. Title 7, §3970-A)

- The section in the Maine Revised Statutes dealing with, among other restrictions,

“written notification to purchaser that ferrets have been known to engage in

unprovoked attacks on children and that public health authorities may demand

immediate euthanasia of ferrets involved in biting incidents for rabies testing

purposes” was repealed in 1997 (Maine Rev. Stat. Title 7, §3966 - §3970, all sections

repealed)

- If a ferret needs to be euthanized and tested for rabies, “the owner of a

domesticated ferret....shall pay transportation and testing costs for that animal” (Maine

Rev. Stat. Title 22, §1313-A)

Maryland* - State-level pet shop regulation that indirectly includes ferrets (Md. Crim. Law Code

Ann. § 10-601)

- Prince George’s County requires that ferrets be licensed

- State-level pet shop regulation that indirectly includes ferrets (Mich. Comp. Laws

Ann. § 287.331)

- Michigan enacted an extensive, multi-section law upon legalization in 1994 dealing

exclusively with ferrets (Act 358, 287.891 - 287.898)

- Defines and regulates hobby breeding of ferrets, e.g. ferrets must be 10 weeks old

prior to sale (Act 358, 287.893)

- Ferrets under 6 weeks of age cannot be imported unless accompanied by the

natural mother; has a rabies vax certificate if over 12 weeks; has a canine distemper

vax certificate if over 6 weeks. (Act 358 of 1994, 287.895)

Grand Rapids “No person may keep on their premises within the city any

Minnesota* - State-level pet shop regulation that indirectly includes ferrets (Minn. Stat. Ann. §

346.36)

- A person may not take a protected wild animal with the aid of a ferret. (Minn. Art. 2,

Ch. 97B.101, § 21)

- Permit required in the City of St. Paul (Code of Ord. § 20-198.02 (b))

Mississippi - State-level pet shop regulation but only for exotic birds

Nebraska - State-level pet shop regulation, but only applicable to cats/dogs

- The definition of “domestic animals” does not include ferrets; rabies vax required

only for domestic animals although ferrets are identified as a rabies vector (Neb.

Admin. Code, Title 173, 5-004.01)

- Hospitals must establish a rabies vaccination policy for hospital-owned pets,

including ferrets (Neb. Admin. Code, Title 175, 9-006, 14D)

Nevada* - State-level pet shop regulation, but only applicable to cats/dogs

- In foster homes for children, “Exotic or potentially dangerous pets or other animals,

including ferrets and boa constrictors, are prohibited without the written approval of a

licensing authority representative.” (Nev. Admin. Code, 424.590.1)

New Hampshire*

- Legalized in 1993.

- Ferrets offered for sale by pet shops must be vaccinated and have a health

possess wildlife designated as non-controlled as specified in (b), below. (b) For

purposes of this part, the following species or groups of wildlife shall be designated as

non-controlled: (4) The following mammals: Chinchillas, domesticated, (Chinchilla

spp); Gerbils, domesticated; Guinea Pigs, domesticated (Cavia spp); Hamsters,

domesticated (Cricetus cricetus); Mice, domesticated (Mus musculus); Rats,

domesticated (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus); Ferrets, domesticated (Mustela

domesticated; Rabbits, domesticated; African pigmy hedgehog; Sugar glider

- “No person shall hunt, kill or destroy, or attempt to hunt, kill or destroy, a hare or

rabbit with ferrets, or have a ferret in possession in the woods or fields, under a

penalty of fifty dollars for each offense.” (NJ Stat. § 23:4-14)

New Mexico - No state-level pet shop regulation

New York State*

New York City As of 1999, ferrets are not permitted in all five boroughs of

New York City per the NYC Board of Health (New York City Health Code Section

161.01)

North Carolina

Code, Ch. 6, Art. V, Sec. 6-41(a)(1)), a different section in the code allows animal

control to impound ferrets that do not “have a valid current rabies vaccination” (Fort

Worth City Code, Ch. 6, Art. VI, Sec. 6-43(a)(4)). No age is specified.

- Dallas requires ferrets over four months old to have rabies vax. (Dallas City Code,

Ch. 7, Art. VII, Sec. 7-7.5)

U.S. Virgin Islands

- A health certificate from your veterinarian is necessary. It should state that the ferret

has not been exposed to any communicable diseases, is healthy, and that its rabies

shots are up to date. This certificate should be prepared within 10 days of travel.

Rabies shots are considered up to date if they have been administered within the last

year, but no longer longer than one year. Have these documents readily available

when you are traveling, as you will have to produce them when checking in at the

airlines.

Utah - Legalized in 1993

- In Herriman City (§ 8.16.020 & 8.16.040) & unincorporated Salt Lake County, ferrets

are legal but must be licensed per Salt Lake County Animal Services:

- The Salt Lake County ordinance provides only for the ownership class and rabies

ferrets on an equal basis with dogs and cats.

definition is such a vague combination of specifically-mentioned species (dogs, cats,

rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, nonhuman primates) and general descriptions that

virtually any animal would fall under the definition (Virginia Code. § 3.1-796.66)

- A special permit is required to possess, import, or sell any member of “family

Mustelidae, all species except Mustela putorius furo” (Va. Admin. Code 4VAC15-30-

Washington*