Is it legal to own a ferret in Wyoming?
The short answer
Ferrets are legal in Wyoming and require no Game and Fish permit. Wyoming regulates possession of living wildlife, but the domesticated ferret is a domestic animal, not wildlife, under the statutory definitions. Owners face only ordinary pet rules.
What Wyoming law says
Wyo. Stat. §23-1-101 defines the wildlife subject to Game and Fish Department regulation; domesticated ferrets are outside that definition, so no Chapter 10 possession permit is needed.
Which agency regulates ferrets in Wyoming
Wyoming Game and Fish Department is the authority for ferret (Mustela putorius furo) possession in Wyoming.
Is there a permit for pet ferrets?
No permit is required at the state level.
Penalties and enforcement
None for ownership; local animal-control rules apply.
Local city and county rules
Municipal codes may require rabies vaccination for pets.
Legal alternatives in Wyoming
- Hedgehog in Wyoming — The African pygmy hedgehog — a palm-sized insectivore, hugely popular and famously banned in a handful of states.
- Sugar Glider in Wyoming — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Wyoming Game and Fish permit for a ferret?
No. Domestic ferrets are not living wildlife under Wyoming law, so the possession-permit rules do not apply.
Sources
More animals in Wyoming
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Wyoming?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Wyoming?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Wyoming?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Wyoming 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 Wyoming Game and Fish Department and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.