Exotic pet laws in Indiana

Every animal in our directory, checked against Indiana DNR, Division of Fish & Wildlife rules and Indiana statute. Click any animal for the full entry — the exact law, penalties, permits, and local caveats.

All animals: status at a glance

AnimalStatusStatuteVerified
RaccoonPermit RequiredIC 14-22-262026-07-03
MonkeyLegal312 IAC 9-11 (primates not classified)2026-07-03
ServalPermit RequiredIC 14-22-262026-07-03
Fennec FoxLegal312 IAC 9-11 (fennec not classified)2026-07-03
Sugar GliderLegalNot classified under Indiana law2026-07-03
HedgehogLegal312 IAC 9-11 (hedgehogs not a regulated wild animal)2026-07-13
FerretLegal312 IAC 9-11 (domestic ferret not a regulated wild animal)2026-07-13

Permit-required animals in Indiana

  • Raccoon — Class II wild animal — legal with a $10 Wild Animal Possession Permit
  • Serval — Exotic cats fall under Indiana's Class III dangerous-animal permitting

Legal without a permit in Indiana

  • Monkey — Primates aren't covered by Indiana's permit classes — legal at the state level
  • Fennec Fox — Non-native fox — outside the WAP classes for native foxes; legal at the state level
  • Sugar Glider — Legal statewide — no permit
  • Hedgehog — Legal — hedgehogs are not a regulated wild animal in Indiana
  • Ferret — Legal — no DNR wild animal possession permit applies to domestic ferrets

How Indiana regulates exotic pets

Primary authority sits with Indiana DNR, Division of Fish & Wildlife. 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 Indiana DNR, Division of Fish & Wildlife before acquiring any animal.