Can You Own a Squirrel in New Hampshire? What the Law Actually Says
July 11, 2026
New Hampshire is home to dense forests, rocky hillsides, and a rich variety of wildlife — including several squirrel species that residents encounter every day. It’s natural to wonder whether one of these animals could become a legal household pet, especially after high-profile stories in neighboring states made national headlines.
The short answer is that squirrel ownership in New Hampshire sits in a legally complicated space. State wildlife law draws a firm line between animals you can keep without paperwork, those that require a permit, and those that are simply off the table for private citizens. Before you pursue a pet squirrel, you need to understand exactly where the Granite State stands — and what happens if you get it wrong.
Important Note: Wildlife laws can change through legislation or administrative rulemaking. Always confirm the current rules with the NH Fish and Game Department before acquiring any wild animal.
Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in New Hampshire?
For most New Hampshire residents, the answer is no — owning a squirrel as a pet is not legal under current state law. The NH Fish and Game Department’s Possession of Live Wildlife Permit Application applies to possessing allowed live wildlife, but the department’s own forms note that no mammal wildlife possession is permitted for private individuals seeking a standard possession permit.
In all states not specifically listed as permitting squirrel ownership, you are not allowed to keep a squirrel as a pet — and New Hampshire falls into that category. In some states you can own a pet squirrel with no paperwork or permits required, but those states are Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming — New Hampshire is not among them.
That said, the legal picture is not entirely static. After learning about the fate of a well-known pet squirrel seized and euthanized in New York, Representative James Spillane introduced legislation that would allow the ownership of some squirrels and raccoons in New Hampshire. His bill would provide two paths to legal ownership: one for people who move into New Hampshire from states that already permit squirrels as pets, and another allowing animals to become pets after being rehabilitated by NH Fish and Game. As of the publication of this article, that legislation had not been enacted into law, so the default prohibition remains in effect. Always verify the current status of any pending legislation with NH Fish and Game before making any decisions.
For a broader look at squirrel behavior and biology before diving deeper into the legal questions, the squirrel overview at Animal of Things is a useful starting point. You can also explore the types of squirrels found across the US to understand which species are native to your region.
Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire is home to several native squirrel species, and understanding how the law classifies each one matters if you’re researching your options. The state’s wildlife framework divides animals into non-controlled, controlled, and prohibited categories — and squirrels don’t land in the easiest column.
Small game species in New Hampshire include ruffed grouse, pheasant, quail, Hungarian/European partridge, chukar, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, gray squirrel, and migratory game birds including waterfowl. The gray squirrel’s classification as small game — a huntable species — rather than a permitted pet is telling. It signals that the state views these animals as wildlife to be managed, not domesticated companions.
The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is the most commonly seen squirrel in New Hampshire’s towns and suburbs. Despite its familiarity, it remains a game animal under state law, not a legal pet. The red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) occupies a slightly different regulatory position: there is no restriction in New Hampshire on the taking of woodchucks, porcupines, English sparrows, European starlings, common feral pigeons, red squirrels, and other rodents not covered in the hunting digest. However, the absence of a restriction on “taking” does not automatically translate into a right to keep one as a pet — possession of live wildlife is governed by separate rules.
Flying squirrels are another species worth examining separately. The northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) and southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) are both native to New Hampshire. Data on pet squirrel legality typically applies to native squirrels such as red squirrels, grey squirrels, and fox squirrels, and non-native species of squirrel and flying squirrels may be subject to different regulations. You can learn more about flying squirrel biology at the flying squirrel resource page. For a wider look at squirrel diversity, see the guide to different types of squirrels.
Key Insight: The legal category of a squirrel species — game animal, non-game wildlife, or unprotected rodent — determines which rules apply to possession. Contact NH Fish and Game directly to confirm the current classification of any specific species you are researching.
Permit and License Requirements in New Hampshire
New Hampshire structures its wildlife possession rules around a tiered permit system administered by the Fish and Game Department. Under N.H. Code Admin. R. Fis 804.01–.07, last checked by the Animal Legal & Historical Center in March 2025, a permit to possess wildlife is not required for species designated as non-controlled — such as aquarium fish, amphibians, reptiles (except alligators, crocodiles, and venomous species), many pet birds, small pet mammals like gerbils and hamsters, and certain ungulates. Squirrels are not on that non-controlled list.
Under NH state law, animals on the controlled list can be owned or sold only by individuals with a permit from the Fish and Game Department. Permits are issued at the discretion of the executive director, who is supposed to consider whether the animal would pose a threat to other wildlife, the public, or to New Hampshire’s ecosystem if released.
The critical wrinkle for squirrel hopefuls is what happens when a species doesn’t appear on any list at all. All species not specifically listed under the categories of non-controlled, prohibited, or controlled shall be designated as prohibited by default. This default-prohibited rule closes the door on any creative interpretation that a species not explicitly banned must therefore be allowed.
Even if you were to pursue a permit, the bar is high. The executive director reviews each application and no permit to possess shall be issued if there is any significant disease, genetic, ecological, environmental, health, safety, or welfare risk to the public or other wildlife species. No possession of wildlife may take place until a permit is issued, and permits expire on December 31 of the calendar year of issuance unless sooner revoked.
For context on how New Hampshire’s rules compare to neighboring states, the squirrels of New York article touches on species that cross state lines, while the guide to squirrels in Ohio covers another northeastern state with its own permit framework.
Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in New Hampshire
Because squirrel ownership is not permitted for private citizens under current New Hampshire law, there is no legal pathway to purchase or adopt one as a household pet within the state at this time. You cannot buy a squirrel from a pet store, capture one from the wild, or breed one for personal keeping.
Proposed legislation in 2025 stopped short of making all ownership of pet raccoons and squirrels legal — it still would not allow people to purchase the animals at a pet store, breed them, or capture them from the wild. Even under the most permissive version of the bill being discussed, the acquisition channels would remain tightly controlled.
If you find an injured or orphaned squirrel, the correct course of action is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator — not to keep the animal. Rehabilitation of Wildlife Permit renewals are handled through NH Fish and Game, and anyone interested in becoming a wildlife rehabilitator should contact NH Fish and Game’s Law Enforcement Division at (603) 271-3127 for requirements. Rehabilitators are trained professionals authorized to care for wild animals temporarily with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.
If you live in a state where squirrel ownership is legal and are considering relocating to New Hampshire, be aware that bringing your pet squirrel with you does not automatically make its possession legal here. NH law states that no person shall import, possess, sell, exhibit, or release any live marine species or wildlife without first obtaining a permit from the executive director, except as otherwise permitted.
Pro Tip: If you’re drawn to wildlife but want a legal small mammal pet in New Hampshire, consider species that appear on the state’s non-controlled list, such as gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, or domestically raised rabbits. These require no permit and are widely available from licensed breeders.
Housing and Care Requirements in New Hampshire
Because private squirrel ownership is not currently legal in New Hampshire, there are no state-issued housing or care standards specifically written for pet squirrels. However, understanding what responsible squirrel care looks like is still worth knowing — both for educational purposes and in the event that the law changes.
Squirrels are active, cognitively demanding animals that do not adapt easily to captivity. In states where ownership is permitted, wildlife authorities and exotic animal veterinarians generally recommend the following baseline conditions:
- A large, multi-level enclosure with climbing structures, branches, and hiding spaces — minimum dimensions of 2 feet wide by 2 feet deep by 4 feet tall are commonly cited as a starting point, though larger is always better
- A diet that mirrors natural foraging: nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens, with calcium supplementation to prevent metabolic bone disease
- Daily out-of-enclosure exercise time in a squirrel-proofed room
- Enrichment items such as foraging puzzles, chew toys, and nesting materials to prevent boredom and stress behaviors
- Access to a veterinarian experienced with exotic rodents, since most general-practice vets do not treat squirrels
Opponents of loosening exotic pet rules argue that many wild animals can pose a threat to public safety if they escape, and that animals may be at higher risk of abuse and neglect when owners lack adequate facilities or knowledge of how to meet the needs of an exotic species. These concerns are particularly relevant for squirrels, which have sharp teeth, fast reflexes, and strong instincts that make them difficult to handle safely without proper training.
For those interested in squirrel ecology in New Hampshire more broadly, the guides to owls in New Hampshire and snakes in New Hampshire offer useful context on the state’s broader wildlife community — including natural predators that interact with squirrel populations. You can also read about animals that eat squirrels to understand their role in the local food web.
Local and Municipal Restrictions in New Hampshire
Even in states where squirrel ownership is permitted at the state level, local governments often impose additional restrictions. New Hampshire is no exception to this principle, and it applies in both directions: a municipality cannot override state law to make squirrel ownership legal, but it can add restrictions on top of whatever the state allows.
Pet squirrels may be regulated at the county, municipal, or local level even in states in which they are legal at the state level. In New Hampshire, cities and towns have the authority to enact their own animal ordinances. Manchester, Nashua, Concord, and other municipalities each maintain separate codes governing exotic and wild animals within their limits.
While your state may allow you to keep certain animals as pets, local laws can restrict ownership. This means that even if New Hampshire’s state-level law were to change through pending legislation, you would still need to verify the rules in your specific city or town before acquiring any squirrel.
A few practical steps to check local restrictions:
- Contact your town or city clerk’s office and ask whether any local ordinance addresses exotic or wild animal possession
- Review your municipality’s animal control bylaws, which are often posted on official town websites
- If you rent, check your lease agreement — landlords can prohibit any animal regardless of state or local law
- Consult your homeowners association rules if applicable, as HOAs frequently have their own animal restrictions
For more on how wildlife regulations vary across the Northeast, the articles on squirrels in Michigan and squirrels in Wisconsin highlight how neighboring states handle similar species differently.
Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in New Hampshire
Taking possession of a squirrel without legal authorization in New Hampshire carries real consequences. The state enforces its wildlife possession laws through a combination of criminal violations, restitution requirements, and permit revocations.
Any person who violates the import, possession, or release provisions of RSA 207:14 or any rule adopted under that section shall be guilty of a violation and guilty of an additional violation for each marine species or wildlife possessed contrary to the provisions of the section. In New Hampshire, a violation is a civil infraction that carries a fine — but wildlife violations can also escalate to misdemeanor charges depending on the circumstances.
Beyond the base fine, restitution payments apply specifically to game animals. Under NH RSA 207:55 (2024 edition), any person convicted of the illegal taking or illegal possession of game animals resulting in the injury, death, or destruction of the same may be sentenced to make restitution to the state — with wild rabbit, hare, muskrat, and gray squirrel valued at $10 per animal illegally taken or illegally possessed.
In every case of conviction involving the illegal taking or illegal possession of game animals, the court may order the defendant to reimburse the state in a sum not to exceed the amounts established by statute, and such reimbursements shall be paid directly to the court. The animal itself may also be seized and forfeited to the state.
The consequences extend beyond fines. A conviction can affect your ability to obtain future hunting and fishing licenses in New Hampshire and potentially in other states through reciprocal agreements. If you are found in possession of a squirrel that was captured from the wild, you may also face charges under federal wildlife law depending on the species involved.
Important Note: Penalties outlined here reflect NH RSA 207:55 as published in the 2024 edition of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes. Fines and restitution amounts are subject to legislative change. Verify current penalty schedules with the NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division or a licensed attorney before taking any action.
If you’re genuinely passionate about squirrels and want to engage with them legally, consider supporting a licensed wildlife rehabilitation organization in New Hampshire, or explore legal wildlife observation and photography. You might also find value in reading about plants that repel squirrels if managing wild squirrels around your property is your actual concern, or learn about ground squirrel species and squirrels in Canada to broaden your understanding of squirrel diversity across North America. For those interested in other New Hampshire wildlife, the guides to bats in New Hampshire and brown birds in New Hampshire are worth exploring as well.