Can You Own a Squirrel in Louisiana? What the Law Actually Says
July 16, 2026
Louisiana sits in an unusual position when it comes to squirrel ownership. On the surface, some sources list it among a handful of states where keeping a pet squirrel is allowed — but the full picture is considerably more complicated. State law, local parish ordinances, and the source of the animal all intersect in ways that can trip up even well-intentioned owners.
Before you pursue a pet squirrel in the Pelican State, you need to understand exactly where the legal lines are drawn. This guide walks you through the state-level rules, species considerations, permit questions, sourcing requirements, care standards, and the parish-by-parish restrictions that could affect you regardless of what state law says.
Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Louisiana?
The honest answer is: it depends on where you look in Louisiana law — and those layers do not always agree. Louisiana is listed among a small group of states — alongside Arkansas, Idaho, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming — that allow people to own pet squirrels. However, that broad characterization does not capture the full legal reality on the ground.
At the state level, Louisiana’s own statutes tell a more restrictive story. Louisiana law explicitly designates squirrels as wild or exotic animals, placing them in the same legal category as tigers, lions, bears, wolves, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Louisiana’s ban on native North American wildlife as pets is described as absolute by some legal analyses — with no permit pathway for raccoons, squirrels, deer, coyotes, or similar native species.
This tension in the law matters. Louisiana exotic pet law operates on two levels — state law and local ordinances. An animal that is legal under state law can still be prohibited in your specific parish or city. Always verify both layers before you buy or adopt. If you are serious about owning a squirrel in Louisiana, consulting directly with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) before acquiring any animal is the safest first step.
Important Note: Sources conflict on whether Louisiana permits squirrel ownership with or without a pathway. The Law Library of Louisiana and state statute language classify squirrels as wild/exotic animals subject to restriction, while some national databases list Louisiana as permissive. Treat this ambiguity as a reason to contact the LDWF directly before proceeding.
Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Louisiana?
Louisiana has two native tree squirrel species that are relevant to this discussion. The state has two species of squirrels: gray and fox squirrels. Both are classified as small game animals managed by the LDWF, which means they are subject to hunting regulations — not pet-ownership frameworks. You can learn more about the squirrels found in Louisiana and how they live in the wild before deciding whether one fits your lifestyle.
The gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is the most widespread species in the state and the one most commonly encountered in suburban and rural settings alike. The fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) is larger and tends to prefer open, mature pine forests. Both are native species, and that classification matters legally.
Data on pet squirrel legality typically applies to native squirrels such as red squirrels, grey squirrels, and fox squirrels. Non-native species of squirrel and flying squirrels may be subject to different regulations. Flying squirrels, for example, occupy a separate regulatory space. If you are curious about flying squirrels specifically, their smaller size and nocturnal habits make them a popular exotic pet choice in states where they are permitted — but you still need to verify their status in Louisiana separately from tree squirrels.
The only way to legally own a grey squirrel is by purchasing a captive-bred baby from a breeder licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in states that permit their ownership. Non-native exotic squirrel species — such as Prevost’s squirrels or variegated squirrels — fall under different import and possession rules and would require separate research with the LDWF before any purchase. For a broader look at the different types of squirrels kept in captivity, comparing species can help you make a more informed decision.
Permit and License Requirements in Louisiana
This is where Louisiana’s legal framework becomes particularly important to understand. The primary state agency overseeing exotic animals is the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). Any person looking to own certain exotic animals must first obtain a possession permit from the LDWF. This permit requirement applies to all non-native species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
For native species like gray and fox squirrels, the permit picture is murkier. The LDWF maintains a restricted species list that outlines which exotic animals are allowed to be kept as pets and which ones are prohibited. Animals on this list may require additional permits or permissions. Native squirrels are not on a straightforward “permitted with paperwork” list — they are classified as wild animals subject to the state’s broader wildlife statutes.
Beyond the LDWF list, some exotic animals may also be protected under federal laws such as the Endangered Species Act or the Lacey Act. The LDWF conducts regular inspections of facilities where exotic animals are kept or exhibited to ensure compliance with state regulations. This means even if you believed your squirrel was legally obtained, an inspection could raise compliance questions if proper documentation is not in order.
Pro Tip: Contact the LDWF directly at their Baton Rouge headquarters at 2000 Quail Drive before acquiring any squirrel. Ask specifically about the current permit pathway — if any — for the species you want. Get any guidance in writing.
There is no publicly documented, straightforward “pet squirrel permit” available through the LDWF the way some other states structure their captive wildlife programs. Permit pathways dominate in permissive states: even in “permissive” states, legal possession almost always requires using a captive wildlife or breeder permit and ensuring the animal is legally sourced, often from a USDA-licensed breeder.
Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Louisiana
If a legal pathway exists for you in Louisiana, the source of your squirrel is not a minor detail — it is a foundational legal requirement. You need to ensure the animal has been gently handled, purchased from a reputable dealer, bred in a legal captive breeding program (not taken from its mother in the wild to be your pet), and has been inspected by a veterinarian.
Taking a squirrel from the wild in Louisiana is not a legal route to pet ownership under any circumstances. Louisiana’s ban on native North American wildlife as pets includes squirrels, and rehabilitating an injured animal temporarily does not grant you the right to keep it permanently. Wildlife rehabilitators operate under separate LDWF permits specifically for temporary care and release — not for long-term pet keeping.
For those pursuing non-native exotic squirrel species, sourcing from a USDA-licensed breeder is the standard legal route across the United States. The only way to legally own a grey squirrel is by purchasing a captive-bred baby from a breeder licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in states that permit their ownership. You can explore the broader types of squirrels in the US to understand which species are more commonly available through captive breeding programs.
Captive squirrels can live up to 14 years, making this a long-term commitment requiring consistent, attentive care. That lifespan consideration should factor into your decision well before you contact any breeder. You should also research animals that eat squirrels to understand the predator pressures your pet would face if it ever escaped an outdoor enclosure.
Housing and Care Requirements in Louisiana
Squirrels are not low-maintenance pets. Their housing and daily care demands are substantially higher than those of more conventional small animals, and meeting those needs is both an ethical obligation and, in many jurisdictions, a legal one.
Enclosure size and structure are the first priorities. Squirrels have high energy levels and will not tolerate being caged in small spaces, requiring enclosures that are at least 10 feet long by 10 feet wide by 6 feet high, made from wire of sufficient gauge to not be chewed or torn through. A squirrel’s enclosure should prioritize space, safety, and stimulation. Tree squirrels in particular need significant vertical climbing space to express natural behaviors.
Regular chicken wire will not work for squirrels, as squirrels can get out through very small spaces and predators will attempt to get in. Hardware cloth with small openings is the recommended material. A hammock or canvas cube or wood nest box must be hung in the cage near the top of the upper level. Small fresh tree branches should be in all cages for chewing. Un-sprayed apple, maple, or oak branches are best and should be scrubbed clean with baking soda, rinsed, and allowed to dry.
Diet is equally important and often where new owners make mistakes. Captive squirrels must learn to eat formulated rodent blocks — non-perishable blocks must be available at all times on demand. Fresh fruits and vegetables supplement the base diet, but high-sugar fruits should be limited. Squirrels are prone to both obesity and diabetes and do not require much sugar in their diets to begin with.
| Care Category | Minimum Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure Size | 10′ x 10′ x 6′ (tree squirrels) | Larger is always better; vertical space essential |
| Wire Gauge | Hardware cloth (not chicken wire) | Must be chew-resistant and predator-proof |
| Base Diet | Formulated rodent/squirrel blocks | Available at all times; fresh foods as supplement |
| Enrichment | Branches, nest box, climbing structures | Natural branches must be unsprayed and cleaned |
| Veterinary Care | Exotic-animal vet required | Most general practice vets do not treat squirrels |
| Lifespan Commitment | Up to 14 years in captivity | Long-term planning required before acquisition |
Squirrels are notorious chewers and will damage furniture, electrical wiring, and other household items if not provided with appropriate chew toys. Daily supervised out-of-cage time in a squirrel-proofed room is also important for their mental health. Mental stimulation and socialization appropriate for the species help avoid stereotypical behavior often seen in captive animals, such as pacing, chewing on bars, and running in circles. Squirrels need ample room and opportunity to play, exercise, and engage in normal squirrel behavior, along with access to normal lighting conditions and ready access to qualified veterinary care.
Finding a vet experienced with squirrels is a real challenge in Louisiana. Most general practice veterinarians do not treat exotic rodents, so you should identify an exotic-animal specialist in your area before you ever bring a squirrel home. For context on Louisiana’s broader wildlife, exploring squirrel behavior and biology can help you set realistic expectations about what captive life requires from these animals.
Local and Municipal Restrictions in Louisiana
Even if you navigate state law successfully, parish and city ordinances can override everything. Most municipalities in Louisiana have ordinances that prohibit the ownership of wild or exotic animals as pets. You should check your local municipal laws. This is not optional fine print — it is a real enforcement risk.
Several major Louisiana cities have clear, strict rules. In New Orleans, it is completely illegal to keep any exotic animal as a pet, as stated by Section 18-7 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. Squirrels fall squarely within that prohibition. The City of Shreveport prohibits the ownership of squirrels, along with raccoons, skunks, foxes, and a range of other animals, under its local exotic animal ordinance.
In Baton Rouge, no wild or exotic animals are allowed to be kept as pets. The Director of the Animal Control and Rescue Center may issue temporary permits to people keeping injured or infant wild animals. Zoos, circuses, animal exhibitions, and veterinary clinics may exhibit or keep wild or exotic animals. Temporary rehabilitation permits are not the same as a pet ownership authorization.
Jefferson Parish bans all animals that are prohibited under state law and, in addition, has an ordinance that prohibits other exotic animals from being kept as pets, including raccoons, hawks, eagles, owls, chipmunks, bats, and others. Squirrels are covered under the state-level ban that Jefferson Parish enforces. If you live in Louisiana and are curious about other regulated wildlife in your area, learning about hawks in Louisiana or owls in Louisiana illustrates how broadly native wildlife ownership is restricted across the state.
Pet squirrels may be regulated at the county, municipal, or local level even in states in which they are legal at the state level. Before assuming your parish is permissive, look up your specific municipality on Municode.com, which hosts Louisiana’s local ordinances, or call your parish animal control office directly.
Pro Tip: If you rent your home, your landlord’s pet policy is an additional layer of restriction entirely separate from state and parish law. A squirrel may be technically legal in your jurisdiction but still prohibited under your lease agreement.
Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Louisiana
The consequences of keeping a squirrel without legal authorization in Louisiana are not trivial. Failing to acquire the proper permits often leads to confiscation and relocation or euthanasia for the animal. That outcome — the loss of an animal you may have raised from infancy — is the most painful penalty, and it falls on the squirrel as much as on you.
The LDWF conducts regular inspections of facilities where exotic animals are kept or exhibited to ensure compliance with state regulations. This includes checking the quality of animal enclosures, food and water sources, handling procedures, veterinary care records, and overall health of the animals. Violations can result in civil fines, criminal charges under Louisiana’s wildlife statutes, and permanent loss of the animal.
Municipal violations carry their own penalties. In Ascension Parish, for example, the Code of Ordinances states that any exotic animal that bites a human shall be euthanized and the head sent to an appropriate facility for rabies testing. A squirrel bite — which is not uncommon even with well-socialized animals — could trigger this response if the animal’s legal status is already in question.
Once a squirrel has lost its natural instincts and fear of people, it can never be released back into the wild. If surrendered to a rehabilitator, their only legal option is usually euthanasia. This reality underscores why legal compliance from the very beginning matters so much. An animal kept illegally has no safety net if authorities become involved.
Beyond Louisiana, it is worth understanding how other states handle this issue for comparison. Holding of captive squirrels ranges from unlicensed with stipulations in some states, to licensed in others, to strictly prohibited in states like New York, Massachusetts, California, and Vermont. Louisiana’s enforcement posture sits closer to the restrictive end of that spectrum, particularly in its major cities and parishes. For those interested in how squirrel populations vary regionally, reading about squirrels in Canada or squirrels in Africa puts North American regulations in a broader wildlife management context.
If you want to enjoy squirrels without the legal complexity, consider supporting wildlife in your yard instead. Understanding plants that repel squirrels can help you manage their presence on your property, while appreciating them as the wild animals they are — and always were meant to be.