Is it legal to own a ferret in Ohio?
The short answer
Ferrets are legal pets in Ohio with no state permit. Ohio's Dangerous Wild Animal Act (ORC Chapter 935), passed after the 2011 Zanesville incident, covers big cats, bears, primates, and large constrictors — not ferrets. They are treated as ordinary companion animals.
What Ohio law says
ORC §935.01 defines 'dangerous wild animal' with a specific species list that excludes ferrets, so the registration and permitting scheme administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture does not apply.
Which agency regulates ferrets in Ohio
Ohio Department of Agriculture is the authority for ferret (Mustela putorius furo) possession in Ohio.
Is there a permit for pet ferrets?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for ownership; standard rabies-control and animal-cruelty laws apply.
Local city and county rules
Some Ohio municipalities keep their own exotic or pet-limit ordinances, so check local code.
Legal alternatives in Ohio
- Hedgehog in Ohio — The African pygmy hedgehog — a palm-sized insectivore, hugely popular and famously banned in a handful of states.
- Sugar Glider in Ohio — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Did Ohio's exotic animal law ban ferrets?
No. The 2012 Dangerous Wild Animal Act targets big cats, bears, primates, and similar species; ferrets remain unregulated domestic pets.
Sources
More animals in Ohio
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Ohio?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Ohio?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Ohio?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Ohio 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 Ohio Department of Agriculture and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.