Georgia is home to several squirrel species, and it is easy to understand why someone who spots a lively gray squirrel or a gliding southern flying squirrel might wonder whether one could make a good pet. The answer, under Georgia law, is almost always no — and the rules are stricter than many people expect.
Before you act on that impulse, it is worth understanding exactly what the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) prohibits, which narrow exceptions exist, and what consequences come with ignoring the law. This guide walks you through every layer of the legal framework so you can make an informed decision.
Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Georgia
Most native wildlife and many exotic animals may not legally be kept as pets in Georgia. That general rule applies directly to squirrels. By Georgia law, most native species of wildlife cannot be held without permits or licenses, and those licenses are not issued for the purpose of holding native wildlife as pets.
Squirrels are considered game animals in Georgia, and keeping game animals as pets without first obtaining a game-holding license is unlawful. The critical catch is that such a license for private pet ownership simply does not exist under state law. Wild animal licenses and permits cannot be issued for the purpose of pet ownership.
The Georgia General Assembly has found it to be in the public interest to ensure public health, safety, and welfare by strictly regulating the importation, transportation, sale, transfer, and possession of wild animals, treating these activities as privileges not to be granted unless it can be clearly demonstrated that such actions can be accomplished without unnecessary risk.
Important Note: Even if you raised a squirrel from a pup after finding it injured, keeping it as a pet is still illegal under Georgia law. The origin of the animal — wild-caught, orphaned, or otherwise — does not change your legal obligation.
The bottom line is clear: Georgia issues no licenses for squirrel ownership except for rehabilitation and exhibition purposes. If you are not a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or an accredited exhibitor, owning a squirrel in Georgia is not a legal option.
Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Georgia
Georgia is home to several squirrel species, and understanding which ones fall under the prohibition is important. You can explore the types of squirrels found across the United States to get a broader picture of the species landscape, but for Georgia residents, the state’s own prohibited list is what matters most.
The Georgia DNR’s list of species native to Georgia that may not be held as pets includes the flying squirrel, fox squirrel, and gray squirrel, among many other mammals. These restrictions apply to the various species of animal regardless of their origin or morphology — meaning it does not matter whether the animal was born in captivity or caught in the wild.
| Squirrel Species | Native to Georgia? | Legal as a Pet? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Yes | No | Explicitly listed as prohibited native wildlife |
| Fox Squirrel | Yes | No | Explicitly listed as prohibited native wildlife |
| Southern Flying Squirrel | Yes | No | Explicitly listed as prohibited native wildlife |
| Non-native exotic squirrels | No | No (generally) | Regulated as exotic species; DNR must be consulted before acquisition |
Some sources suggest that flying squirrels may be legal in Georgia when sourced from out-of-state breeders, but this conflicts directly with the Georgia DNR’s own published prohibited species list, which names the flying squirrel explicitly. The Georgia DNR advises that the department should be consulted before any exotic animals that are not normally domesticated in Georgia are acquired. When in doubt, contact the DNR directly before making any purchase.
You can learn more about flying squirrels and their natural behavior to better understand why these animals are challenging to keep in captivity regardless of legality.
Key Insight: The prohibition covers all squirrel species native to Georgia regardless of where your individual animal was born. A captive-bred gray squirrel purchased from another state is still considered a prohibited species under Georgia law.
Permit and License Requirements in Georgia
Understanding the permit structure in Georgia helps clarify why there is no legal pathway for private squirrel ownership. Except where specifically noted in the rules, wild animal licenses are issued to persons engaged in the wholesale or retail wild animal business or who are exhibiting wild animals to the public. Wild animal permits are issued at no cost for scientific, educational, or other purposes detailed in O.C.G.A. 27-5-4. Wild animal licenses and permits cannot be issued for the purpose of pet ownership.
This means the only categories of people who can legally possess a squirrel in Georgia are:
- Licensed wildlife rehabilitators — permitted to temporarily care for injured or orphaned native wildlife with the goal of releasing the animal back to the wild
- Accredited public exhibitors — zoos, nature centers, and similar institutions that display animals to the public under a valid wild animal license
- Scientific researchers — individuals or institutions holding permits for approved research purposes under O.C.G.A. 27-5-4
Legislative authority for the management of game and fish within Georgia is governed by the Georgia General Assembly and is outlined in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA), Title 27. OCGA 27-1-4 provides authority for the promulgation of rules and regulations to protect wildlife, the public, and natural resources of this state to the Board of Natural Resources.
The Board of Natural Resources last updated the wild animal rules in October 2022. The Board of Natural Resources passed the rules during the board meeting held October 25, 2022, at Fort McAllister State Park, and the rules took effect December 4, 2022. These updates did not create any new pathway for private squirrel ownership.
If you have a specific situation — such as a squirrel that came into your care before these rules were in place — contact the Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division’s Special Permit Unit directly at 770-918-6408 for guidance.
Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Georgia
Because Georgia does not issue pet ownership licenses for squirrels, there is no legal channel through which a Georgia resident can obtain and keep a pet squirrel within the state. This applies whether you are considering:
- Catching a squirrel from your backyard or a local park
- Purchasing a squirrel from an out-of-state breeder
- Adopting a squirrel from someone who can no longer care for it
- Raising an orphaned squirrel you found injured
Returning such an animal to the wild will usually result in its death once it has been handled by humans, which is one reason the DNR takes illegal possession seriously — the animal’s welfare is directly at stake. The dietary needs of most wild animals are different from common domestic pets, and many exotic pets suffer from malnutrition because of their special needs, resulting in a constant state of bad health or death.
Pro Tip: If you find an injured or orphaned squirrel in Georgia, the correct legal step is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area. The Georgia DNR maintains a list of licensed rehabilitators who are legally authorized to care for native wildlife.
If you live near a state border and are curious about how neighboring states handle squirrel ownership, it is worth knowing that regulations vary significantly. Residents in states with more permissive rules still need to comply with Georgia law if they bring an animal into the state. In all states where squirrel ownership is not specifically permitted, you are not allowed to keep a squirrel as a pet.
For those interested in squirrel-related content from a purely observational or educational standpoint, exploring resources about squirrel behavior and ecology can be a rewarding alternative to ownership.
Housing and Care Requirements in Georgia
Because private squirrel ownership is not legal in Georgia, there are no official state-mandated housing or care standards that apply to pet squirrels in private homes. The care and confinement standards that do exist under Georgia law apply only to licensed facilities — rehabilitators, exhibitors, and research institutions.
That said, understanding what proper squirrel care involves is useful for two reasons: it helps you appreciate why the state restricts ownership, and it prepares you if you ever assist a licensed rehabilitator or relocate to a state where squirrel ownership is permitted.
For licensed facilities in Georgia, the law details specifications for the humane handling, care, confinement, and transportation of certain wild animals. These standards are enforced through the DNR’s inspection and licensing process.
General considerations for squirrel care that apply in any licensed context include:
- Enclosure size — Squirrels are highly active and require large, vertically oriented enclosures with climbing structures
- Diet — A nutritionally complete diet is critical; improper feeding causes metabolic bone disease, a common and serious problem in captive squirrels
- Veterinary access — Finding qualified care is a real challenge, as veterinarians may be unfamiliar with diseases of wildlife or exotic pets, and veterinarians are typically unwilling to treat animals held illegally for liability reasons
- Behavioral needs — Squirrels are not domesticated animals and retain strong instincts that make them difficult companions as they mature
Young animals undergo dramatic behavioral changes as they mature, becoming very aggressive and trying to escape. This is a well-documented challenge that reinforces why wildlife agencies discourage private ownership even in states where it is permitted.
If you are interested in wildlife that naturally visits your yard, learning about animals that interact with squirrels in your local ecosystem can deepen your appreciation for these animals in their natural environment.
Local and Municipal Restrictions in Georgia
Even in states where squirrel ownership is permitted at the state level, local governments frequently add their own layer of restrictions. In Georgia, where ownership is already prohibited statewide, local ordinances serve as an additional enforcement layer rather than a potential workaround.
Many local cities and counties have their own restrictions on which animals are legal to keep and which are not. You should check with your local city and county for their regulations regarding what pets you can and cannot own. It is your responsibility to comply with all local laws, ordinances, and covenants before importing or possessing live wildlife.
Pet squirrels may be regulated at the county, municipal, or local level even in states in which they are legal at the state level. This means that even if Georgia’s state law were to change, you would still need to verify your city or county rules before obtaining any squirrel.
Common Mistake: Assuming that because a neighbor or online forum member claims to own a squirrel in Georgia without consequences, it must be legal or tolerated. Enforcement is complaint-driven in many cases, and legal risk remains real regardless of whether others appear to be getting away with it.
Homeowners association (HOA) rules add yet another layer. Many homeowners live in areas that have homeowners associations that could also have rules regarding pets. Even if you were somehow exempt from state and local laws, your HOA agreement could independently prohibit exotic or wild animals on your property.
Georgia cities with large urban wildlife populations — such as Atlanta, Savannah, and Augusta — tend to have active animal control enforcement. If a neighbor reports a squirrel in your home, you can expect a response from both local animal control and potentially the DNR.
For a look at how squirrel populations and regulations play out in specific locations, you might find it interesting to compare squirrel ownership rules in neighboring Alabama, where the regulatory environment differs from Georgia’s.
Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Georgia
Georgia takes wildlife law violations seriously, and the penalties for illegally possessing a squirrel reflect that. Holding, possessing, releasing, or importing wildlife without a permit from the DNR is an unlawful activity under Georgia law.
Under Georgia’s Title 27 wildlife statutes, violations are generally classified as misdemeanors, but the severity depends on the circumstances. Any person who hunts, fishes, traps, possesses, or transports wildlife in this state in violation of a suspension or revocation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,500.00 nor more than $5,000.00, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months, or both.
Beyond the direct criminal penalties, illegal possession carries several serious secondary consequences:
- Animal seizure — The DNR has authority to seize any illegally held wildlife. To recover such a wild animal, the owner or the person in possession of the wild animal at the time of seizure may file a civil action against the State of Georgia, Department of Natural Resources, within 30 days following such seizure.
- Storage costs — Reasonable charges for storage shall be paid to the department by the owner and the person in possession of the wild animal at the time of seizure unless it is determined that the seizure was unlawful.
- Loss of hunting and fishing privileges — Wildlife violations can result in the suspension or revocation of your hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses.
- Veterinary complications — Because veterinarians are generally unwilling to treat illegally held animals, your squirrel may go without proper medical care, which is harmful to the animal and could expose you to animal cruelty charges under separate statutes.
Important Note: Each day of continued illegal possession can be treated as a separate offense under Georgia law, meaning penalties can multiply quickly if the violation is not corrected promptly.
Laws regarding pet squirrels can change at any time. It is always advisable to verify the current state of the law with the Georgia DNR directly rather than relying solely on third-party sources, including this article. You can reach the Georgia DNR Special Permit Unit at 770-918-6408 or visit the official Georgia Wildlife Resources Division website for the most current information.
If you are passionate about squirrels and want to engage with them legally, consider supporting a licensed wildlife rehabilitation organization in your area, contributing to habitat conservation efforts, or simply enjoying the remarkable diversity of squirrel species that exist around the world from a respectful distance. Georgia’s squirrels thrive in the wild — and that is exactly where the law intends for them to stay.