Exotic pet laws in Pennsylvania
Every animal in our directory, checked against Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) rules and Pennsylvania statute. Click any animal for the full entry — the exact law, penalties, permits, and local caveats.
All animals: status at a glance
| Animal | Status | Statute | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Permit Required | 34 Pa.C.S. ch. 29 | 2026-07-02 |
| Monkey | Unclear | 34 Pa.C.S. §2961 (primates not listed) | 2026-07-02 |
| Serval | Permit Required | 34 Pa.C.S. §§2961–2965 | 2026-07-02 |
| Fennec Fox | Permit Required | 34 Pa.C.S. §§2961–2965 | 2026-07-02 |
| Sugar Glider | Legal | Not covered by 34 Pa.C.S. §2961 or 58 Pa. Code ch. 147 | 2026-07-02 |
| Hedgehog | Banned | 34 Pa.C.S. §2963 | 2026-07-13 |
| Ferret | Legal | 34 Pa.C.S. §2961 (ferrets outside 'exotic wildlife' definition) | 2026-07-13 |
Animals banned in Pennsylvania
- Hedgehog — Banned as pets — the Game Commission issues no pet permits for hedgehogs
Permit-required animals in Pennsylvania
- Raccoon — Legal only from a PGC-approved in-state USDA breeder with a Game Commission permit
- Serval — 'Exotic wildlife' under PGC regulations — permit required, and PGC's experience requirements make it hard to get
- Fennec Fox — Canidae = 'exotic wildlife' under PGC regs — legal with an Exotic Wildlife Possession Permit
Legal without a permit in Pennsylvania
- Sugar Glider — Legal — outside the Game Code's exotic wildlife definitions; no PGC permit
- Ferret — Legal — not 'exotic wildlife' under the Game Code; no Game Commission permit
How Pennsylvania regulates exotic pets
Primary authority sits with Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). 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 Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) before acquiring any animal.