Is it legal to own a ferret in Mississippi?
The short answer
Ferrets are legal in Mississippi and no permit is required. The state's wild animal law requires permits only for species listed as inherently dangerous — primates, big cats, bears, and the like — and domestic ferrets are not on the list. They are ordinary pets statewide.
What Mississippi law says
Miss. Code Ann. §49-8-5 requires possession permits for inherently dangerous wild animals; ferrets are not listed, so the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks requires no permit for them.
Which agency regulates ferrets in Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is the authority for ferret (Mustela putorius furo) possession in Mississippi.
Is there a permit for pet ferrets?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for ownership; county and municipal animal-control rules apply.
Local city and county rules
City ordinances may require rabies vaccination or set pet limits.
Legal alternatives in Mississippi
- Hedgehog in Mississippi — The African pygmy hedgehog — a palm-sized insectivore, hugely popular and famously banned in a handful of states.
- Sugar Glider in Mississippi — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Is a ferret inherently dangerous under Mississippi law?
No. Miss. Code §49-8-5 lists primates, big cats, bears, and similar species; ferrets are unregulated domestic pets.
Sources
More animals in Mississippi
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Mississippi?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Mississippi?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Mississippi?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Mississippi 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 Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.