Is it legal to own a ferret in New York?
The short answer
Ferrets are legal throughout New York State with no state permit, and state law requires they be vaccinated against rabies. New York City is the exception: NYC Health Code §161.01 bans ferret possession in all five boroughs, a ban the Board of Health reaffirmed in 2015. Outside the city, ferrets are ordinary companion animals.
What New York law says
New York's wild-animal ban (ECL §11-0512) does not cover domestic ferrets, and Public Health Law Article 21 requires rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets; NYC Health Code §161.01 separately prohibits ferrets within New York City.
Which agency regulates ferrets in New York
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is the authority for ferret (Mustela putorius furo) possession in New York.
Is there a permit for pet ferrets?
No permit is required at the state level. Banned only within New York City's five boroughs; legal in the rest of the state with rabies vaccination.
Penalties and enforcement
In New York City, keeping a ferret is a Health Code violation punishable by fines and confiscation of the animal; there is no ownership penalty elsewhere in the state.
Local city and county rules
New York City bans ferrets entirely — the best-known local ferret ban in the country.
Legal alternatives in New York
- Hedgehog in New York — The African pygmy hedgehog — a palm-sized insectivore, hugely popular and famously banned in a handful of states.
- Sugar Glider in New York — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Are ferrets legal in New York City?
No. NYC Health Code §161.01 lists ferrets among prohibited animals, and the Board of Health voted to keep the ban in 2015. They are legal in the rest of New York State.
Sources
More animals in New York
- Is it legal to own a monkey in New York?
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in New York?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in New York?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in New York 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 York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.