Exotic pet laws in Georgia
Every animal in our directory, checked against Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division rules and Georgia statute. Click any animal for the full entry — the exact law, penalties, permits, and local caveats.
All animals: status at a glance
| Animal | Status | Statute | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Banned | O.C.G.A. §§27-5-4, 27-5-5 | 2026-07-02 |
| Monkey | Banned | O.C.G.A. §§27-5-4, 27-5-5 | 2026-07-02 |
| Serval | Banned | O.C.G.A. §§27-5-4, 27-5-5 | 2026-07-02 |
| Fennec Fox | Banned | O.C.G.A. §§27-5-4, 27-5-5 | 2026-07-02 |
| Sugar Glider | Legal | O.C.G.A. §§27-5-4, 27-5-5 | 2026-07-02 |
| Hedgehog | Banned | O.C.G.A. §§27-5-4, 27-5-5 | 2026-07-13 |
| Ferret | Legal | O.C.G.A. §27-5-5(b) | 2026-07-13 |
Animals banned in Georgia
- Raccoon — Wild animal — illegal as a pet; licenses issued only for commercial/scientific purposes
- Monkey — Wild animals — illegal as pets; single narrow exception for trained service capuchins
- Serval — Inherently dangerous wild animal — illegal as a pet
- Fennec Fox — All foxes are regulated wild animals — illegal as pets
- Hedgehog — Banned — insectivores including hedgehogs are regulated wild animals in Georgia
Legal without a permit in Georgia
- Sugar Glider — One of Georgia's few legal exotics — lawful with USDA-source documentation
- Ferret — Legal without a permit — if neutered by 7 months and rabies-vaccinated (O.C.G.A. §27-5-5)
How Georgia regulates exotic pets
Primary authority sits with Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. Statewide statute sets the floor; cities and counties frequently layer stricter bans on top, so always check your municipal code as well as the entries above.
Research directory, not legal advice. Verify current rules with Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division before acquiring any animal.