Can You Own a Squirrel in Kentucky? What State Law Actually Says
July 2, 2026
Squirrels are surprisingly popular as pets across the United States, and Kentucky residents are no exception when it comes to curiosity about keeping one. Before you act on that interest, though, you need to understand exactly where state law stands — because the rules for native wildlife in Kentucky are meaningfully different from those for exotic animals.
The short answer is that owning a squirrel in Kentucky is possible under specific, regulated conditions. The longer answer involves the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), a captive wildlife permit, and enclosure requirements that are spelled out in state administrative code. This guide walks through each layer of that framework so you can make an informed, legal decision.
Important Note: This article provides general educational information about Kentucky wildlife regulations. Laws and administrative regulations can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources before acquiring any wildlife.
Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Kentucky?
Owning a squirrel in Kentucky sits in a legally distinct category compared to keeping an exotic animal. Squirrels are native wildlife, which means they fall under 301 KAR 2:081 — Kentucky’s administrative regulation governing the transportation and holding of live native wildlife — rather than the exotic wildlife rules that cover animals like servals or chinchillas.
A person shall not possess native wildlife that was not legally acquired, and anyone holding native wildlife in captivity must apply for and obtain the appropriate permit prior to acquiring the animal. This means you cannot simply take a squirrel from your backyard and keep it as a pet. Legal acquisition through a licensed source and a valid captive wildlife permit are both required before you bring a native squirrel home.
For exotic species, a captive wildlife permit is not necessary. However, for a native Kentucky species, you must obtain a Non-Commercial Captive Wildlife Permit before taking possession of the wild animal. Because all squirrel species found in Kentucky are native wildlife, this permit requirement applies directly to you as a prospective squirrel owner.
It is also worth knowing that the possession of baby wildlife found in the wild is prohibited. If you find an injured or orphaned squirrel, the correct step is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator — not to keep the animal yourself.
Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Kentucky?
Kentucky is home to several squirrel species, and the state’s captive wildlife framework specifically names three of them in its enclosure requirements, which signals that these are the species the KDFWR recognizes as candidates for permitted captive possession. You can learn more about the full range of squirrel species and their behaviors before deciding which might suit a captive environment.
The three species addressed in the KDFWR’s captive wildlife permit application are the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), and the flying squirrel. A gray squirrel, fox squirrel, or flying squirrel shall be held in an enclosure with a minimum specification of 4 ft. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. for a single animal, with an increase in floor space by two square feet for each additional animal.
The flying squirrel — most commonly the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) in Kentucky — is a popular choice among small exotic pet enthusiasts nationally. If you want a deeper look at flying squirrel care and temperament, the flying squirrel overview covers the basics well. The different types of squirrels resource and the guide to squirrel species found in the US can also help you identify exactly which animal you are considering.
Pro Tip: Flying squirrels are nocturnal and highly social. If you plan to keep one, research their specific behavioral needs thoroughly — they require enrichment, companionship, and nighttime activity space that a standard cage cannot always provide.
The eastern gray squirrel is the species most commonly encountered in Kentucky yards and woodlands. The fox squirrel is larger and less common, often found in open woodland areas. Both are protected native wildlife under Kentucky law, and neither can be captured from the wild for personal use without violating state regulations.
Permit and License Requirements in Kentucky
The permit framework for keeping a squirrel in Kentucky centers on the Non-Commercial Captive Wildlife Permit issued by the KDFWR. For a native Kentucky species, you must obtain a Non-Commercial Captive Wildlife Permit before taking possession of the wild animal. This permit must be in hand before you acquire the squirrel — not after.
The KDFWR’s captive wildlife permit application outlines several eligibility requirements. The applicant must be eighteen years of age or older. Applicants must also have obeyed KRS Chapter 150 and federal wildlife laws — meaning they have not been convicted of a violation or had a permit revoked or denied. You must also indicate a legal source for where and how you will obtain the wildlife species.
If you are bringing a squirrel into Kentucky from another state, an additional layer of paperwork applies. If you plan to bring an exotic species into Kentucky from out of state, you must have a wildlife transportation permit authorizing the movement. While this rule is written for exotic wildlife, native wildlife transported across state lines also requires proper permitting under 301 KAR 2:081. All shipments of wildlife, except reptiles and amphibians, shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection. This is not required with your application; it must be with the wildlife during shipment and available if stopped for inspection.
If you move to Kentucky while already legally owning a squirrel in another state, the rules are clear. A person in legal possession of wildlife that moves to Kentucky has 30 days to pass a facility inspection and apply for a captive wildlife permit.
| Permit Type | When Required | Issuing Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Commercial Captive Wildlife Permit | Before acquiring any native Kentucky wildlife species | KDFWR |
| Wildlife Transportation Permit | Before importing or transporting wildlife into Kentucky from out of state | KDFWR |
| Certificate of Veterinary Inspection | Required with the animal during any shipment | Licensed Veterinarian |
Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Kentucky
The source of your squirrel matters as much as the permit itself. You cannot trap or take a squirrel from the wild for pet purposes — that path leads directly to a legal violation. Legal acquisition must come through a licensed breeder or a seller who can document the animal’s captive-bred origin.
Captive-bred squirrels, particularly flying squirrels, are available through specialty breeders in the United States. When purchasing, ask for documentation showing the animal was bred in captivity and not taken from the wild. The captive wildlife permit application requires that you indicate a legal source for where and how you will obtain the wildlife species. Vague or undocumented sourcing can result in permit denial.
Reputable breeders should be able to provide health records, age documentation, and information about the animal’s diet and socialization history. Be cautious of sellers who cannot verify captive-bred status or who advertise squirrels at unusually low prices — these can be red flags for illegally sourced animals.
Pro Tip: Before purchasing, contact the KDFWR directly to confirm your chosen source meets Kentucky’s legal acquisition requirements. The department’s Information Center can be reached at 1-800-858-1549.
Wildlife rehabilitators in Kentucky sometimes work with squirrels, but a wildlife rehabilitation permit requires you to return animals to the wild — not keep them as pets. Rehabilitation is a separate legal pathway that does not result in pet ownership. If you are interested in the broader wildlife of Kentucky, the guides to owls in Kentucky and hawks in Kentucky show the range of native species that fall under similar protective frameworks.
Housing and Care Requirements in Kentucky
Kentucky’s KDFWR does not leave enclosure standards up to the owner’s discretion. The captive wildlife permit application specifies minimum enclosure dimensions that your setup must meet or exceed before your permit application can be approved.
A gray squirrel, fox squirrel, or flying squirrel shall be held in an enclosure with the following minimum specifications: a single animal enclosure shall be 4 ft. x 4 ft. x 8 ft., and there shall be an increase in floor space by two square feet for each additional animal. The height requirement — 8 feet — reflects the natural climbing and leaping behavior of squirrels, which need vertical space to remain physically and mentally healthy in captivity.
Holding facilities must meet or exceed the minimum enclosure sizes required by 301 KAR 2:081. This means a KDFWR officer can inspect your facility, and a substandard enclosure is grounds for permit denial or revocation. Wire mesh enclosures with secure latching, weather protection, and enrichment items like branches and nest boxes are standard features of a compliant setup.
Beyond the legal minimums, squirrels in captivity have demanding care needs. They require a diet that mimics their natural foraging — nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables — along with access to fresh water at all times. Flying squirrels, being nocturnal, need low-light environments during the day and active enrichment opportunities at night. Squirrels are also prey animals with strong stress responses, so minimizing loud noises and sudden movements near the enclosure matters for their welfare.
You may also want to consider how squirrels interact with other garden wildlife near your property. The resource on plants that repel squirrels offers useful context on their foraging instincts, and the guide to animals that eat squirrels helps you understand the predator awareness built into their behavior — relevant when designing an outdoor or semi-outdoor enclosure.
Local and Municipal Restrictions in Kentucky
State law sets the floor, but it does not set the ceiling. Kentucky explicitly allows cities and counties to go further than state regulations when it comes to wildlife possession. Kentucky state law explicitly authorizes cities and counties to regulate or prohibit inherently dangerous wildlife within their jurisdictions, which means a species that is legal under state regulation could still be banned where you live.
Louisville, Lexington, and other municipalities may have their own exotic animal ordinances covering species beyond what the state prohibits. Before acquiring any exotic pet, check with your local animal control office or city and county clerk in addition to verifying the state regulation.
Some Kentucky municipalities take a broad approach to restricting native wildlife as pets. In Walton, Kentucky, for example, local ordinance makes it unlawful to sell, own, harbor, or keep as a pet any wild animal native to the United States, with exceptions only for state and federal conservation officers, licensed nuisance wildlife officers, and licensed rehabilitators. This type of local restriction can make squirrel ownership illegal at the city or county level even when state law would otherwise permit it with a proper permit.
Local ordinances may be stricter than state regulations, and some counties and cities prohibit additional species or restrict wildlife possession beyond state requirements. Always research your specific city and county rules before proceeding. Homeowners association (HOA) rules can add another layer of restriction, particularly in suburban neighborhoods where wildlife enclosures may violate property covenants.
For context on how Kentucky regulates other native wildlife, the guides to bats in Kentucky and frogs in Kentucky illustrate how the state’s native species protections apply broadly across taxonomic groups. You may also find the dog leash laws in Kentucky article useful for understanding how local animal ordinances can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to the next.
Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Kentucky
Keeping a squirrel without the required permit, taking one from the wild, or possessing one in a municipality where local ordinance prohibits it are all violations of Kentucky law — and each carries real consequences.
Under KRS 150.990, each bird, fish, or animal taken, possessed, bought, sold, or transported contrary to the provisions of KRS Chapter 150 or any administrative regulation promulgated thereunder shall constitute a separate offense. This means that if you possess multiple squirrels illegally, each animal counts as a distinct charge.
The financial penalties depend on which specific provision is violated. Any person who violates provisions including those governing the importation and transportation of wildlife under KRS 150.183 shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. For violations of KRS 150.180 — which governs transportation regulations — the first offense carries a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000; the second offense carries a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,500.
Beyond fines and potential jail time, there are collateral consequences. Any person who violates provisions of KRS Chapter 150 or related administrative regulations may, in addition to monetary penalties, forfeit their hunting and fishing license or the privilege to perform the acts authorized by the license during the same license year. The KDFWR also has authority to seize the animal itself.
Key Insight: Each squirrel possessed illegally is a separate offense under KRS 150.990. A household with two unpermitted squirrels faces twice the legal exposure of one with a single animal.
If you receive a squirrel from someone who obtained it illegally and you were unaware, you may still face liability depending on how the circumstances are interpreted by enforcement. The safest approach is always to verify the legal status of any animal before it enters your home and to keep your permit documentation current and accessible.
For a broader picture of how Kentucky’s wildlife laws fit into the national landscape of squirrel ownership, the overview of ground squirrel species and the look at squirrel ownership contexts in Canada provide useful comparative context. Residents considering other Kentucky wildlife topics may also find the guides to lizards in Kentucky and woodpeckers in Kentucky helpful for understanding the state’s broader native species framework.