Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Minnesota? What State Law Actually Says

Minnesota is home to dense hardwood forests, sprawling prairies, and a rich variety of wildlife — including several squirrel species that many residents encounter daily. If you have ever watched a gray squirrel dart across your yard and wondered whether you could keep one as a pet, you are not alone. The question comes up often, and the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

State wildlife law draws a firm line between most squirrel species and the handful that fall outside game and fish protections. Understanding exactly where that line sits — and what happens if you cross it — can save you from significant legal trouble. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about squirrel ownership in Minnesota, from the governing statutes to local ordinances and enforcement consequences.

Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Minnesota

The short answer is that owning most squirrel species in Minnesota as a pet is not legal. Under Minnesota Statutes § 97A.501, a person may not take, buy, sell, transport, or possess a protected wild animal unless allowed by the game and fish laws, and the ownership of all wild animals is vested in the state unless the animal has been lawfully acquired under those laws. That foundational rule applies directly to squirrels.

Minnesota law defines “small game” to include gray squirrel and fox squirrel, among other species. Because gray and fox squirrels fall under the small game classification, they are protected wild animals, and owning a gray squirrel or a fox squirrel as a pet is illegal, with no permit available that overcomes that prohibition.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has indicated that thirteen-lined ground squirrels — also known as striped gophers — are not considered protected wild animals, which means you may be able to own one without violating game and fish laws. However, this is a narrow exception, not a broad permission to keep any squirrel you find. You should always check with local authorities before taking on any wild animal, making sure you are familiar with the law and have something in writing to avoid potential confusion and fines.

Important Note: Even if a squirrel species is technically unprotected under Minnesota’s game and fish laws, that does not automatically make it legal to keep in every city or county. Local ordinances can impose additional restrictions regardless of state classification.

Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Minnesota

Minnesota is home to several squirrel species, and their legal status for ownership purposes varies considerably. Knowing the difference between protected and unprotected species is the first step before you consider any form of ownership. You can find a broader overview of squirrel diversity across the country at types of squirrels in the US.

The most common squirrel species in Minnesota include the Eastern Gray Squirrel, the Fox Squirrel, the Red Squirrel, and the Northern Flying Squirrel. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel rounds out the primary species you are likely to encounter in the state.

Species	Classification	Legal to Own as Pet?	Notes
Eastern Gray Squirrel	Small game (protected)	No	Illegal under game and fish laws; no permit pathway
Fox Squirrel	Small game (protected)	No	Illegal under game and fish laws; no permit pathway
Red Squirrel	Small game (protected)	No	Hunted species; subject to same protections
Northern Flying Squirrel	Unprotected under game laws	Possibly (with caveats)	Not a protected mammal, but poor candidates for captivity
Southern Flying Squirrel	Unprotected under game laws	Possibly (with caveats)	Same as northern; verify with local authorities first
Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel	Unprotected under game laws	Possibly (with caveats)	DNR has indicated it is not a protected wild animal

Minnesota has two kinds of flying squirrels. The southern species measures around nine inches, while the northern species can grow up to eleven inches. Both are very small and use flaps of skin between their limbs to glide from tree to tree. They are not protected mammals, so you could theoretically take one as a pet, but they are timid creatures and are unlikely to thrive in human hands, away from other squirrels. For more detail on flying squirrels specifically, see this resource on flying squirrels.

If you are looking to obtain one of the protected species, it is not possible to do so legally, even if you injure one while hunting. The law states that any squirrels taken during a hunt must be dead; it is illegal to bring back a live squirrel under any circumstances.

Pro Tip: The thirteen-lined ground squirrel is the mascot inspiration for the University of Minnesota’s Golden Gophers and is one of the most recognizable unprotected squirrel species in the state — but always get written confirmation from your local authority before attempting to keep one.

Permit and License Requirements in Minnesota

One of the most common misconceptions about squirrel ownership in Minnesota is that a permit can unlock the ability to keep any species as a pet. That is not how the system works here. You cannot get a permit to own a squirrel as a pet. If you want to own a gray squirrel or a fox squirrel, that is illegal, and there is no permit that overcomes the law. If you want to own one of the squirrels that does not fall under game and fish law protections, you will not need a permit either. In short, permits do not affect the legality of squirrel ownership in Minnesota.

There is one narrow permit context worth understanding: wildlife rehabilitation. Squirrels are considered protected game species, and owning them for educational or research purposes requires a permit, according to the Minnesota DNR. However, rehabilitation permits are not the same as pet ownership permits. If you find an injured squirrel, you should contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Minnesota, because it is illegal to care for injured wildlife without proper authorization from the DNR.

In Minnesota, individuals must provide documentation from a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to prove the squirrel cannot be released back into the wild due to its dependency on human care — and even that pathway is not a route to permanent pet ownership. It is a welfare measure for animals that cannot survive in the wild.

Key Insight: Minnesota’s permit system for squirrels is built around wildlife management and rehabilitation — not private pet ownership. There is no “exotic pet permit” or captive wildlife license that allows a resident to keep a gray or fox squirrel at home.

For context on how neighboring states approach squirrel ownership with different permit frameworks, you may find it useful to review information on squirrels in Wisconsin and squirrels in Michigan, both of which have their own distinct regulatory approaches.

Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Minnesota

If you are hoping to find a legal source for a pet squirrel within Minnesota, the options are extremely limited. You cannot buy pet squirrels in Minnesota. They are not a traded animal, and because of the legal issues with some species and the general destructiveness and unsuitability of the animals, they are not considered good pets under most circumstances.

For the unprotected species — primarily the thirteen-lined ground squirrel and flying squirrels — there is no established commercial breeding or pet trade network within the state. If you were to pursue one of these animals, you would essentially be sourcing it from the wild yourself, which carries its own practical and ethical complications. Taking one of the unprotected species from the wild would generally be considered a bad idea, as most will dislike human company and constantly try to escape, possibly causing destruction in the attempt. Even if you raised an infant squirrel and socialized it, you might run into problems, as adult squirrels do not necessarily interact well with people, and they would have no idea how to survive if they escaped — and would likely die.

If you are drawn to the idea of a small, active mammal as a companion animal, it is worth exploring general squirrel information to better understand their behavioral needs before making any decisions. The reality is that squirrels are not domesticated animals, and their needs in captivity are difficult to meet even under ideal conditions.

Common Mistake: Assuming that raising a baby squirrel found in your yard creates a legal right to keep it. Possession of a protected squirrel species remains illegal regardless of how the animal came to be in your care, unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Housing and Care Requirements in Minnesota

Because there is no formal pet squirrel ownership framework in Minnesota for protected species, the state has not established official housing and care standards for private squirrel owners in the way that some other states have. What does exist is a set of practical and ethical realities that anyone considering keeping an unprotected species should understand thoroughly.

Squirrels are highly active, semi-arboreal animals that require significant vertical space, environmental enrichment, and species-appropriate diet. A standard small animal cage is wholly inadequate. Any enclosure for a squirrel should be large enough to allow climbing, foraging behavior, and natural movement — typically a minimum of several cubic feet of space with multiple levels, branches, and hiding areas.

Diet is another serious consideration. Squirrels in the wild consume a varied diet of nuts, seeds, fungi, insects, and plant matter. Replicating this nutritionally in captivity requires research and ongoing effort. Feeding a squirrel an improper diet can lead to metabolic bone disease, obesity, or nutritional deficiencies that are difficult to reverse.

Veterinary care presents its own challenge. Most standard veterinarians do not treat squirrels, and finding an exotic animal vet in Minnesota who has experience with squirrels specifically can be difficult and expensive. Before you consider keeping any squirrel, you should identify a qualified exotic vet in your area who is willing to provide ongoing care.

Even if you can get around the law, squirrels are not suited to captivity. You may find yourself in trouble for other reasons, such as animal abuse or neglect charges, or struggling to care for a mammal not suited to human companionship. Understanding what squirrels eat in the wild and how they interact with their environment can help inform that decision — resources on animals that eat squirrels and plants that repel squirrels offer useful context about their natural behavioral ecology.

Local and Municipal Restrictions in Minnesota

Even if a squirrel species falls outside state game and fish law protections, that does not mean you are free to keep one anywhere in Minnesota. Local governments retain the authority to impose their own restrictions on exotic or wild animal ownership, and many do. Even if state law permits ownership of a species, counties or municipalities frequently impose bans or additional restrictions.

Cities like Minneapolis and Saint Paul have municipal codes governing the keeping of wild or exotic animals, and squirrels — even technically unprotected ones — may fall under those definitions depending on how the local ordinance is written. Before you take any steps toward keeping a squirrel, you should contact your city or county animal control office directly and request written clarification of the applicable rules.

Homeowners associations and rental agreements can add another layer of restriction. Even if your municipality does not prohibit squirrel ownership outright, your lease or HOA bylaws may contain clauses about exotic or wild animals that would apply.

It is crucial to be aware of local ordinances and restrictions, as some areas within Minnesota may have additional rules or prohibitions. Public lands, such as state parks and wildlife management areas, often have specific regulations that must be followed.

Pro Tip: Contact your city clerk’s office or local animal control department and ask specifically whether the squirrel species you are considering is classified as a “wild animal” or “exotic animal” under local code. Get that answer in writing before proceeding.

For a sense of how squirrel regulations and populations vary across different urban and regional environments, you may find it useful to explore resources on squirrels in Chicago or squirrels in Denver, which reflect how different jurisdictions approach urban wildlife management.

Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Minnesota

Minnesota takes wildlife violations seriously, and illegally possessing a protected squirrel species is not treated as a trivial infraction. The consequences can range from fines and restitution payments to criminal charges and license revocations, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

Under Minnesota law, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if they take, buy, sell, transport, or possess a wild animal in violation of the game and fish laws. A misdemeanor in Minnesota carries potential penalties including fines and, in some cases, jail time. Violating DNR regulations may result in a citation or a criminal charge, depending on the nature of the violation. Less serious offenses may result in a ticket that imposes a fine, but more serious violations — such as unlawfully possessing or transporting protected animals — can result in criminal charges.

Beyond criminal penalties, you may also face financial restitution obligations. A person who kills, injures, or possesses a wild animal in violation of the game and fish laws is liable to the state for the value of the wild animal. If a person is convicted of or pleads guilty to possessing a wild animal in violation of the game and fish laws, the court must require the person to pay restitution to the state for replacement of the wild animal as part of the sentence.

In addition to fines and potential jail time, individuals who illegally possess squirrels may also be required to pay restitution for the value of the animal. Minnesota law assigns a restitution value to wildlife, and squirrels are no exception.

License consequences are also a real risk. Minnesota law requires the revocation of a license following a second conviction within three years under a license to trap or take small game. If you hold any hunting or trapping licenses, an illegal possession conviction can put those at risk as well.

Violation Type	Potential Consequence	Legal Reference
Possessing a protected squirrel species	Misdemeanor; fines and possible jail time	MN Statute § 97A.301
Buying or selling protected wildlife ($300+)	Gross misdemeanor; fines of $3,000–$10,000	MN Statute § 97A.301
Wildlife restitution liability	Court-ordered payment for value of animal	MN Statute § 97A.341
Repeat small game violations	License revocation	MN DNR enforcement rules
Caring for injured wildlife without authorization	Violation of DNR regulations; fines	MN DNR wildlife policy

The state treats DNR violations more seriously than many people assume, and the consequences of conviction can include fines, property forfeiture, license suspensions, and even incarceration. If you are ever uncertain about the legality of an animal you have in your possession, contacting the Minnesota DNR proactively is a far better approach than waiting for enforcement action.

For those interested in squirrel biology and behavior without the legal and ethical complications of ownership, exploring the different types of squirrels found across North America — or learning about regional populations such as squirrels in Ohio and types of ground squirrels — can be a rewarding alternative to ownership.

Conclusion

Owning a squirrel in Minnesota is largely prohibited for the species most people encounter. Gray squirrels and fox squirrels are classified as small game under state law, making private possession illegal with no available permit pathway. A narrow set of unprotected species — including the thirteen-lined ground squirrel and both flying squirrel species — fall outside those protections, but practical, ethical, and local ordinance barriers remain significant even for those animals.

Before you pursue any form of squirrel ownership, contact the Minnesota DNR and your local animal control office directly, request written clarification, and honestly assess whether you can meet the complex care needs of a wild animal. In most cases, appreciating Minnesota’s squirrels in their natural habitat is both the legally sound and the most humane choice.