Is it legal to own a ferret in Arkansas?
The short answer
Ferrets are legal in Arkansas and require no permit. The Game and Fish Commission's captive wildlife rules restrict native wildlife and large carnivores, and domesticated ferrets fall outside them as domestic animals. They are sold and kept as ordinary pets.
What Arkansas law says
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission captive wildlife regulations govern wildlife possession; domestic ferrets are not wildlife under those rules, so no AGFC permit is needed.
Which agency regulates ferrets in Arkansas
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is the authority for ferret (Mustela putorius furo) possession in Arkansas.
Is there a permit for pet ferrets?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for ownership; municipal rabies and animal-control rules apply.
Local city and county rules
Little Rock and other cities may require vaccination or pet licensing.
Legal alternatives in Arkansas
- Hedgehog in Arkansas — The African pygmy hedgehog — a palm-sized insectivore, hugely popular and famously banned in a handful of states.
- Sugar Glider in Arkansas — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Does Arkansas Game and Fish regulate pet ferrets?
No. Domestic ferrets are outside AGFC's captive wildlife rules and may be kept without a permit.
Sources
More animals in Arkansas
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Arkansas?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Arkansas?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Arkansas?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Arkansas page, or compare every state on the pet ferret laws by state page.
Last verified 2026-07-13 against the cited primary sources. This is a research directory, not legal advice — confirm current rules with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.