Is it legal to own a ferret in New Hampshire?
The short answer
Ferrets are legal in New Hampshire with no permit. Fish and Game's controlled species rules (Fis 804) do not cover domestic ferrets, and state law explicitly requires ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies alongside dogs and cats. They are ordinary pets statewide.
What New Hampshire law says
N.H. Fish and Game's Fis 804 rules list controlled wildlife needing permits; domestic ferrets are exempt as domestic animals, while RSA 436:100 requires every dog, cat, and ferret three months or older to be rabies-vaccinated.
Which agency regulates ferrets in New Hampshire
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the authority for ferret (Mustela putorius furo) possession in New Hampshire.
Is there a permit for pet ferrets?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
Keeping an unvaccinated ferret violates RSA 436 and can draw fines; ownership itself carries no penalty.
Local city and county rules
Town clerks and animal control enforce vaccination and licensing locally.
Legal alternatives in New Hampshire
- Hedgehog in New Hampshire — The African pygmy hedgehog — a palm-sized insectivore, hugely popular and famously banned in a handful of states.
- Sugar Glider in New Hampshire — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Is rabies vaccination mandatory for ferrets in New Hampshire?
Yes. RSA 436:100 requires rabies vaccination for every ferret three months of age or older, the same as dogs and cats.
Sources
More animals in New Hampshire
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in New Hampshire?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in New Hampshire?
- Is it legal to own a serval in New Hampshire?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.