Can I Own A Hedgehog In Pennsylvania?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can I own a in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is one of only four states that bans hedgehogs

, the others being California, Georgia, and Hawaii. The five boroughs of New York City also prohibit them, and local ordinances across the country also apply.

Why is it illegal to own a hedgehog in Pennsylvania?

Why would state authorities decide to outlaw these spiky, little companions? Well, according to PGC's official ruling on the subject, because

hedgehogs are not native to Pennsylvania

they should not be allowed to be kept as pets. However, if a person purchases a Pennsylvania-bred hedgehog, the animal is legal.

How can I own a hedgehog in PA?


A permit is required to have one in Pennsylvania, and it must be obtained from the Pennsylvania Game Commission

. Owners will need to have two years of experience of hands-on experience with hedgehogs to be eligible for a permit, and a letter of approval from a municipal government office.

Are hedgehogs legal to own in Pennsylvania?

Hedgehogs are described by some as cute and quiet. Around the country, more and more people are taking them in as pets. However, in Pennsylvania,

it's illegal to own a hedgehog as a pet

.

What pets are illegal to have in PA?

  • Hedgehogs. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images. …
  • Sugar Gliders. Unsplash Krishna Kant. …
  • Skunks. …
  • Squirrels and Chipmunks. …
  • Porcupines. …
  • Monkeys/”non-human primates” …
  • Coyotes, Wolves, Foxes, and Bobcats. …
  • Game Birds.

Is it legal to own a sloth in PA?


Pennsylvania does not ban the ownership of exotic or wild animals

. It does require that the person have a permit and follow strict rules for the housing and care of an exotic animal.

Are ferrets legal in PA?

Published: Mar. 10, 2018, 7:25 a.m. From cats to ferrets, dogs to hamsters, even pot-bellied pigs: there are a number of animals you can have as pets in Pennsylvania.

How much does a hedgehog cost?

How Much Does a Hedgehog Cost? The average cost to buy a hedgehog can run between

$100 to $300

. The cost will depend on the age of the hedgehog, how friendly they are, and their coloring. The cheapest hedgehogs will be either salt and pepper or cinnamon and “pinto” hedgies will be in the mid-price range.

How long does a hedgehog live?

Woodland hedgehogs: 2 – 5 years

Can you have a raccoon as a pet in PA?

Some states do not allow raccoons to be imported even if they are eligible for keeping as pets. For example, although

Pennsylvania and Michigan issue permits for raccoon ownership, neither allows raccoons to be imported into the state

.

Are finger monkeys legal in PA?

Some animals are specifically prohibited for private ownership in Pa. — primates.

Permits are never issued for monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas or other primates to be held as private pets

, according to the Game Commission.

Can I own a fox in PA?

To put it simply:

yes, foxes are legal in Pennsylvania

, but… Note: In order to get a permit, you must have at least two years of experience with foxes (other exotics will not count), a letter from someone who already has a permit that will confirm your experience, and an enclosure built to the PGC's specifications.

Are sugar gliders illegal in PA?

Pennsylvania is one of just six states where

it's illegal to own hedgehogs and other small exotic animals, including sugar gliders

, an animal similar to a flying squirrel, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

How much is an exotic pet license in PA?

“exotic wildlife possession” permit and – if the permit is issued – pay a permit fee of $50 per animal per year. permit, which costs

$100 annually

.

Can you own a kangaroo in PA?

In Illinois, Idaho, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin

it is legal to keep a kangaroo as a pet

, while in the rest of the US it is completely illegal.

How many dogs can you own in PA?

There is

no limit on the number of dogs you can own in Pennsylvania at the state level, but this can change at the city or county level

. In Pittsburgh, you can't have more than 5 dogs (or more than 5 pets in general) in a household. The 5 pet restriction excludes a litter of puppies aged 7 to 12 weeks.

Are wolf dogs legal in PA?

“There are three hybrid wolf-dogs as we speak, that we know about, at this time,” said Officer Joyce. “

Any wolf hybrid is illegal in Pennsylvania under Title 34 of the Game and Wildlife Code

.” The remainder of the dogs found are mostly German shepherds.

Can you own an owl in PA?


The United States does not allow private individuals to keep native owls as pets

–they may only be possessed by trained, licensed individuals while being rehabilitated, as foster parents in a rehabilitation facility, as part of a breeding program, for educational purposes, or certain species may be used for falconry in …

Can you own an axolotl in PA?


No, axolotls are not illegal in Pennsylvania

.

Can I own a skunk in PA?


It is currently legal to own domesticated skunks in only 17 states

: Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Is it legal to own a deer in PA?

Speaking to the Dispatch, Lau explains that “

all wildlife in Pennsylvania is protected—no one owns it

.” Speaking to Reason, he adds: “When any wildlife is rehabilitated, it's required to be done through a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Can you own an armadillo in Pennsylvania?

To own an armadillo in Pennsylvania

requires a permit from the Game Commission

.

Are there hedgehogs at PetSmart?


You usually can't find hedgehogs in the large chain stores like PetSmart

, but many of the smaller independently owned pet stores have them. Check your local listings in your area and call the stores for availability.

Do hedgehogs stink?

Hedgehogs don't have any scent glands like ferrets, skunks, or even cats! So when we're clean, we don't have any particular scent. Like any animal,

if they aren't kept clean, they begin to smell funky

. Since domestic hedgehogs are caged animals, we walk through whatever is in our cage.

Do hedgehogs make good pets?


Hedgehogs can be a fun and low-maintenance pet for your household, but they do need some special care

. They have sharp quills that can make handling difficult. Consistent and proper daily handling will help them relax and feel comfortable with you.

What to know before buying a hedgehog?

  • Housing. Housing is a very important thing in your hedgehogs' life as they need many things in their life to keep them comfortable and happy. …
  • Personality. …
  • They Can Carry Diseases. …
  • Handling and bonding with the owner: …
  • Food Do's and Don'ts. …
  • Do's:
  • Don'ts:

Do hedgehogs get a period?

For the record,

hedgehogs do not have periods

and shouldn't bleed throughout their reproductive cycle. Hedgehogs do have heat cycles, but it is not the same as a dog or even a human's menstrual cycle. If you notice blood in your hedgehog's cage, it's an indicator that something else is going on.

Do hedgehogs quills hurt?

While they do seem a little frightening,

the quills won't hurt you once you adjust to the gentle way that you're supposed to handle hedgehogs

.

Can you have a pet duck in Pennsylvania?

Can you have a chipmunk as a pet?


Chipmunks should not be kept as pets because they are wild animals

. Chipmunks don't make good pets. Although some people might enjoy keeping chipmunks, it takes a lot of space, dedication, and hard work. It's also not ethical to keep pet chipmunks, as it comes with very few benefits to the animals themselves.

Can you own a red panda?


IT IS ILLEGAL

!

Being an endangered species, it is illegal to trade in them. If someone was caught with a live red panda they could be fined or even sent to prison!

Can a raccoon be a pet?

Can you own a tiger in PA?


Pennsylvania does allow individuals to own pet tigers

. However, they must obtain a permit and meet all requirements for owning an exotic animal. If a person can afford to purchase a tiger and is willing to follow strict regulations, they can own a tiger legally in Pennsylvania.

How do you get an exotic animal permit in PA?

A separate exotic wildlife possession permit is required for each animal. (f) Experience required. A new applicant for an exotic wildlife possession permit shall provide documentation of at least 2 years experience of hands-on work with the designated species, including care, feeding, handling, training and husbandry.

Are savannah cats legal in PA?

African serval cats are

illegal to own in Pennsylvania

, unless an individual has obtained the required license and two-year-experience requirement to own the exotic animal.

Are there lynx in PA?

The bobcat is loosely related to the Canada lynx, which is

not found in Pennsylvania

. Bobcats are efficient, wary predators equipped with senses of sight, smell and hearing. They have four large canine teeth to pierce deeply into prey.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.