Is it legal to own a ferret in Pennsylvania?
The short answer
Ferrets are legal in Pennsylvania without a permit. The Game and Wildlife Code's exotic wildlife permit scheme covers animals like bears, big cats, and coyotes, and domestic ferrets fall outside it. They are kept as ordinary household pets statewide.
What Pennsylvania law says
34 Pa.C.S. §§2961-2965 requires permits for 'exotic wildlife,' a definition that does not reach domesticated ferrets, so no Pennsylvania Game Commission permit is needed to keep one.
Which agency regulates ferrets in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Game Commission is the authority for ferret (Mustela putorius furo) possession in Pennsylvania.
Is there a permit for pet ferrets?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for ownership; general animal-control and cruelty statutes apply.
Local city and county rules
Philadelphia and other municipalities may layer their own animal-keeping rules on top of state law.
Legal alternatives in Pennsylvania
- Sugar Glider in Pennsylvania — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Does the PA Game Commission regulate pet ferrets?
No. Ferrets are not classified as exotic wildlife under the Game Code, so no menagerie or exotic wildlife possession permit applies.
Sources
More animals in Pennsylvania
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Pennsylvania?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Pennsylvania?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Pennsylvania?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Game Commission and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.