Can You Own a Squirrel in Indiana? What the Law Actually Requires

Indiana is one of a small number of states where owning a pet squirrel is genuinely possible for everyday residents — not just zoos, research institutions, or wildlife sanctuaries. That said, the path to legal ownership involves paperwork, inspections, and ongoing compliance with state wildlife rules.

Before you bring a squirrel home, you need to understand exactly what Indiana law allows, which species qualify, and what happens if you skip the required steps. This guide walks you through every layer of the process so you can make an informed decision.

Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Indiana

The short answer is yes — with conditions. While Indiana does not specifically forbid having any animals as pets, the state requires residents to get a permit if they want to own certain wild animals. Squirrels fall squarely into that category.

Indiana is a state that is simultaneously known for having very strict laws on exotic pet ownership and allowing residents to own nearly any animal. This seemingly contradictory information is due to the state’s Department of Natural Resources having requirements that most owners of exotic pets obtain possession permits.

What separates Indiana from other states that require a permit or license to own an exotic animal is that the DNR would actually give permits to pet owners. This means that while other states technically issue permits, meeting the criteria to get one is extremely difficult, nearly impossible, or in most cases, these exemptions aren’t even considered for “regular” pet owners. In Indiana, private individuals genuinely can qualify.

Key Insight: Indiana is one of only a handful of states — alongside Delaware, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and South Carolina — that allow squirrel ownership with a permit for private residents.

It is equally important to understand what is not allowed. You cannot simply catch a squirrel from your backyard and keep it as a pet. Indiana requires that ownership be legal and that the animal not be taken from the wild, with proper housing and inspection required. The legal pathway runs through licensed breeders, not wild capture.

For a broader look at squirrel species and their behaviors, it helps to understand what you are committing to before pursuing a permit.

Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Indiana

Indiana law recognizes specific native squirrel species as eligible for private possession under a Wild Animal Possession Permit. Fox Squirrels, Grey Squirrels, and Southern Flying Squirrels are considered to be “Class I Wild Animals” and can all be kept as pets in the state of Indiana.

The Eastern grey squirrel, fox squirrel, and southern flying squirrel are rodents that naturally occur in Indiana and were classified as Class I animals along with the Eastern cottontail rabbit. This was considered to be the “least dangerous” category, and obtaining a permit for these animals is likely the easiest.

Here is a quick breakdown of the three legal species:

Species	Scientific Name	Permit Class	Notes
Eastern Gray Squirrel	Sciurus carolinensis	Class I	Most common in Indiana; found statewide
Eastern Fox Squirrel	Sciurus niger	Class I	Larger build; orange-brown underbelly
Southern Flying Squirrel	Glaucomys volans	Class I	Protected from hunting; highly social

The American Red Squirrel is notably absent from this list. It is illegal to hunt flying squirrels, which are a protected species in Indiana, and they cannot be taken or possessed without a special permit. The Southern Flying Squirrel’s protections actually work in its favor as a pet — it cannot be hunted or trapped, but it can be legally owned with the appropriate possession permit.

If you are curious about the full range of squirrel diversity found across the country, the types of squirrels in the US and different types of squirrels are worth exploring before settling on a species.

Important Note: The American Red Squirrel is not on the permitted pet species list. Do not assume that any squirrel found in Indiana is automatically eligible for possession under a Wild Animal Possession Permit.

Permit and License Requirements in Indiana

Owning a squirrel legally in Indiana means navigating a clear but multi-step permit process administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In order to keep one of the permitted species as a pet, a resident of Indiana must have a Wild Animal Possession Permit. In addition to the permit, the animal must have been acquired legally, and you must be able to provide appropriate documentation, like a receipt from a breeder, that proves that the animal was acquired legally.

For Class I and II Wild Animals, you must submit the signed, completed application form within five days of taking possession of the animal with the payment of $20. You can mail the application form to Indianapolis with the fee, or it can be uploaded and paid by credit card or PayPal at the DNR’s online portal (additional fees apply).

After you submit your application, the process continues:

1. DNR Inspection: After receipt by the DNR in Indianapolis, a conservation officer will be requested to conduct an inspection to ensure that the housing requirements are met and that the animal is or will be legally obtained prior to the issuance of a permit.
2. Veterinary Exam: The animal will need to be examined by a veterinarian within forty-five days of the issuance of the permit, and a copy of the receipt or a signature from the veterinarian on the application form will be needed by that time.
3. Permit Renewal: A permit issued under this rule expires one year from the date of issuance. A signature from a vet is required to renew a permit as well, stating that the animal is healthy and disease free.

One piece of good news: no vaccinations are required by the Indiana DNR for an animal held under a wild animal possession permit.

Additionally, a conservation officer may reinspect the cages or enclosures at any time. The conservation officer shall attempt to give a permittee a twenty-four hour notice prior to the reinspection, but if the officer is unsuccessful in contacting the permittee, the officer may proceed with the scheduled inspection without making any further attempts to notify anyone.

Pro Tip: Submit your permit application within the five-day window immediately after acquiring your squirrel. Missing this deadline could put your legal standing at risk before the process even begins.

Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Indiana

The source of your squirrel matters as much as the permit itself. Indiana law is explicit: the animal must be legally obtained, and you must be able to prove it. Wild-caught squirrels are not eligible for the pet possession pathway.

You will usually need to prove where your squirrel came from — often a bill of sale from a USDA-licensed breeder. This documentation becomes part of your permit application and is reviewed during the DNR inspection.

Your main legal options for sourcing a pet squirrel in Indiana include:

• USDA-Licensed Breeders: The most straightforward and legally clean option. These breeders maintain records that satisfy both state and federal documentation requirements.
• Out-of-State Breeders: The animal must be obtained legally, and this includes out of state. As long as the breeder is licensed and documentation is provided, an out-of-state purchase is permitted.
• Game Breeder License Holders: A person must not possess a live squirrel except under a game breeder license under IC 14-22-20 and 312 IAC 9-10-4. Indiana-licensed game breeders are another valid source.

What you cannot do is capture a squirrel from the wild and attempt to domesticate it. Under its regulations for nuisance animals, the Indiana DNR allows for the capture of Grey, Fox, and Red Squirrels outside of hunting seasons if the animal is posing a threat to the health and safety of people or domestic animals — but within 24 hours of capture, the person who takes the animal must release it or euthanize it. There is no legal route from nuisance capture to pet ownership.

The Southern Flying Squirrel in particular is a popular choice among exotic pet owners and may require searching for specialty breeders who focus on this species specifically.

Common Mistake: Rescuing an injured wild squirrel and keeping it as a pet is not the same as legal ownership. Without a wildlife rehabilitation permit and proper documentation of legal acquisition from a breeder, a rescued wild squirrel cannot be converted into a permitted pet.

Housing and Care Requirements in Indiana

Indiana’s DNR does not leave housing standards to interpretation. The state’s administrative code (312 IAC 9-11) sets out specific requirements for enclosures, and these are verified during the initial inspection and any subsequent reinspections.

All wild animals must have a designated primary enclosure, and all wild animals shall be kept in cages or enclosures. For squirrels specifically, the code outlines mesh size and structural requirements:

Squirrels must be provided with specific cage construction standards — for fox squirrels and gray squirrels, the walls, roof, and floor of the cage shall be constructed with mesh having openings not more than one inch.

Beyond the physical structure of the enclosure, the DNR also requires that environmental conditions support the animal’s health:

• Lighting: Animal areas must be provided a regular diurnal lighting cycle of either natural or artificial light. Indoor housing facilities shall have ample lighting of good quality, distribution, and duration as appropriate for the species involved.
• Space: Enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space to allow each animal to make normal postural and social adjustments with adequate freedom of movement. Inadequate space may be indicated by evidence of malnutrition, poor condition, debility, stress, or abnormal behavior.
• Temperature: If the ambient air temperature falls below that needed for good health of the animal, an artificial heat source must be provided that is sufficient to maintain the required ambient air temperature.
• Shade: If sunlight is likely to cause overheating or discomfort to an animal, sufficient shade shall be provided to protect any animal kept outdoors from direct sunlight.

In addition to physical housing, you should be prepared for the behavioral demands of squirrel ownership. Southern Flying Squirrels only require a Class I permit but they require a lot of time and energy, as they are known for being social and needing constant attention. Tree squirrels like gray and fox squirrels are similarly active and need enrichment, climbing structures, and space to express natural behaviors.

Diet should consist of species-appropriate foods: nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid sugary processed foods, which can cause metabolic issues in captive squirrels. Finding an exotic animal veterinarian familiar with squirrels before you bring one home is strongly advisable, since your first vet visit is a legal requirement within 45 days of permit issuance.

For context on what squirrels eat in the wild and how that informs captive care, reviewing information on animals that eat squirrels and their natural ecosystem role can sharpen your understanding of their behavioral needs.

Local and Municipal Restrictions in Indiana

A state-level permit from the Indiana DNR is a necessary condition for owning a pet squirrel — but it is not always sufficient on its own. Local governments in Indiana can impose additional restrictions that go beyond what state law requires.

Local municipalities can also have restrictions on exotic animals, and squirrels are considered to be exotic animals. Check with your local municipality before you seek a squirrel permit.

Even if state law permits, counties or municipalities frequently impose bans or additional restrictions such as exotic pet ordinances or house pet bans. This is not a theoretical concern — it is a real layer of regulation that has caught pet owners off guard in Indiana and across the country.

Before applying for your DNR permit, take the following steps to verify local compliance:

1. Contact your city or county animal control office and ask specifically about exotic wildlife possession ordinances.
2. Check zoning rules for your property type. Some residential zones have restrictions on keeping wildlife, even with state permits.
3. Review your lease or HOA agreement if you rent or live in a governed community. If you are renting, check with your landlord to see if it is okay for you to have a pet. While a squirrel may be legal in your state, you will need to ensure it is permitted in the home.
4. Ask in writing. Getting confirmation from your landlord or HOA in writing protects you if questions arise later.

Important Note: Local ordinances can effectively prohibit squirrel ownership even in homes where the state permit has already been issued. Resolve local compliance questions before you acquire the animal, not after.

Indiana’s cities vary considerably in how they approach exotic animal ownership. Urban areas with denser populations — Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville — may have stricter local rules than rural counties. Always verify at the most local level possible.

Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Indiana

Owning a squirrel without the required Wild Animal Possession Permit, or obtaining one through illegal means such as wild capture, exposes you to real legal consequences under Indiana law.

If you keep a squirrel illegally, you could face fines, lose the animal, or even get criminal charges if it is serious. Bringing a squirrel into a state that bans them can get you in more trouble.

Indiana Code IC 14-22-26 governs Wild Animal Possession Permits, and violations of the DNR’s wildlife regulations carry penalties that can include:

• Animal seizure: The DNR has authority to confiscate any wild animal held without a valid permit.
• Criminal misdemeanor charges: Under Indiana Code, owners commit a Class B misdemeanor if they recklessly fail to comply with regulations, especially if their animal causes damage to someone else’s property or livestock.
• Fines: Civil and criminal fines can accompany violations, and costs associated with animal seizure and care may be billed to the owner.
• Permit revocation: If you currently hold a permit and fall out of compliance during a reinspection, the DNR can decline to renew or actively revoke your permit.

There are also specific prohibitions around selling squirrels. A person must not sell a live squirrel except under a valid game breeder license under IC 14-22-20 and 312 IAC 9-10-4. Attempting to sell a permitted pet squirrel without the appropriate breeder license is itself a separate violation.

A person must not maintain a wild animal in a manner that endangers the animal or others, and “commercial purpose” — meaning breeding, selling, publicly exhibiting, bartering, trading, or leasing — requires additional permitting beyond the standard possession permit.

Pro Tip: Keep all documentation related to your squirrel — purchase receipts, permit copies, vet records — organized and accessible. Conservation officers can request this information during an inspection, and having it ready demonstrates good-faith compliance.

The penalties are not designed to punish well-intentioned pet owners who follow the rules. They exist to deter wild capture, protect native wildlife populations, and ensure that animals kept in captivity receive appropriate care. If you go through the proper channels — licensed breeder, timely permit application, housing inspection, vet exam — you are unlikely to encounter enforcement issues.

For those interested in how squirrel populations vary across different regions and states, resources on squirrels in Ohio, squirrels in Michigan, and squirrels in Wisconsin offer useful regional context — particularly since some of the same species found in Indiana appear in neighboring states under different legal frameworks.

Indiana’s approach to squirrel ownership is more accessible than most states, but it demands that you take the process seriously. Secure your animal from a licensed breeder, submit your permit application within five days, pass the housing inspection, and schedule that first vet visit. Do those things, and you will have a legally sound foundation for keeping one of Indiana’s most recognizable wild animals as a companion.