Can You Own a Squirrel in Mississippi? What the Law Actually Says

Mississippi is home to dense hardwood forests, sprawling river bottomlands, and a rich tradition of wildlife appreciation — so it is no surprise that some residents wonder whether a squirrel could make a legal household companion. The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no, and getting it wrong can carry real legal consequences.

Before you bring any wild animal home, it pays to understand exactly what state law permits, which agencies regulate captive wildlife, and where the gray areas lie. This guide walks you through every layer of Mississippi’s squirrel ownership rules so you can make an informed, lawful decision.

Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Mississippi?

The short answer is that owning a squirrel as a personal pet is effectively prohibited for most Mississippi residents. According to Mississippi Fish and Wildlife, pet squirrels are not legal in Mississippi because furbearing animals — a category that includes squirrels — are not allowed to be kept as pets. This position is grounded in the state’s broader framework for regulating captive wildlife.

The Mississippi Legislature has declared that it is in the public interest to ensure public health, safety, and welfare by strictly regulating the importation, sale, transfer, and possession of wild animals, noting that these animals may also pose a threat of introducing disease harmful to humans and Mississippi’s native wildlife.

Some sources list Mississippi among states where a permit pathway may exist for squirrels, but those references conflict directly with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks’ own regulations on furbearing animals in captivity. According to Squirrel Forum, which tracks state-level captive squirrel regulations and contacts DNR officials directly, Mississippi issues no licenses for squirrels except for rehabilitation and zoo purposes. That is a meaningful distinction: a rehabilitator’s permit allows temporary care of an injured animal, not permanent pet ownership.

Important Note: Sources conflict on Mississippi’s squirrel ownership status. Some general exotic pet databases list Mississippi as a “permit state,” while the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks’ own Rule 84 regulations for furbearing animals in captivity indicate that personal pet ownership is not permitted. Always contact the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks directly before acquiring any squirrel.

Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Mississippi?

Mississippi has three native squirrel species, and understanding each one matters when researching ownership rules. Two game species of squirrels occur within Mississippi: the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). Both are classified as game animals and are subject to hunting seasons and bag limits managed by the MDWFP.

The fox squirrel is notably larger than the gray. There are two subspecies of fox squirrels in Mississippi — the Bachman, or “Hill Country,” fox squirrel found in more open upland areas throughout the state, and the Delta fox squirrel, which is primarily limited to the Delta region and most abundant in mature forests. You can read more about different types of squirrels found across the country to better understand how these species compare.

The third native species is the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). The southern flying squirrel is more active at night and is not classified as a game species. Its non-game status places it under a different regulatory framework. Flying squirrels are listed among species that can be kept as pets in Mississippi, though this conflicts with the MDWFP’s furbearing animal regulations. If you are specifically interested in flying squirrels, review the flying squirrel care and ownership guide and confirm the current rules with the MDWFP before proceeding.

In practical terms, the eastern gray squirrel and the fox squirrel — both game species — face the clearest prohibition for private pet ownership. The flying squirrel occupies a murkier regulatory position that requires direct agency clarification. You can also explore the types of squirrels found across the United States to see how Mississippi’s species fit into the broader national picture.

Permit and License Requirements in Mississippi

Mississippi’s captive wildlife permitting system is administered by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) under Mississippi Code Title 49 and the Mississippi Administrative Code Title 40, Part 2. State regulations make it unlawful for any person to import, transfer, sell, purchase, or possess any wild animal classified as inherently dangerous by law or regulation unless that person holds a permit or is exempt from holding a permit.

Squirrels are not classified as “inherently dangerous” under Mississippi Code § 49-8-5 — that list is reserved for large predators like bears, big cats, wolves, and non-human primates. However, squirrels as furbearing animals fall under a separate set of MDWFP regulations that restrict their possession for personal use. To possess a nongame species for personal use, one must follow the appropriate license requirements, and nongame wildlife taken from the wild for personal use may not be bought, sold, offered for sale, bartered, or exported for sale except as otherwise provided by MDWFP regulations or by permits issued by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

For entities that do qualify for permits — such as educational exhibitors — the requirements are substantial. A signed statement from a licensed veterinarian serving as the veterinarian of record is required, and that veterinarian must certify that they have observed each of the applicant’s animals at least once during the prior year and that the animals have been appropriately immunized and cared for. These standards reflect institutional-level oversight, not casual pet ownership.

Pro Tip: If you are considering any exotic or native wildlife as a pet, contact the MDWFP’s Wildlife Bureau directly at (601) 432-2199 before making any purchase or acquisition. Regulations for furbearing animals in captivity are subject to revision, and a phone call costs nothing compared to the penalties for noncompliance.

If you are bringing any wild or non-domesticated animal into Mississippi from another state, an additional layer of oversight applies. All wild (non-domesticated) animals, including native or exotic game animals, must be certified by a qualified veterinarian to be free of communicable or infectious disease, with that certification accompanying the animal being imported into Mississippi, and a prior entry permit is required.

Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Mississippi

Given that personal pet squirrel ownership is not permitted under current MDWFP regulations for furbearing animals, there is no straightforward legal channel for obtaining one as a household companion in Mississippi. Capturing a wild squirrel from your backyard or a local park is clearly prohibited — squirrels may only legally be bought from USDA-licensed breeders, and if someone tries to sell a squirrel without a USDA license, even if they are licensed by the state or county to possess that squirrel, that constitutes wildlife trafficking and is a federal crime.

Some people attempt to catch wild squirrels and domesticate them on their own, but they are not easy animals to catch. Wild squirrels are also very difficult to tame and just do not want to be tamed, which could cause many problems in your home and for the squirrel. Beyond the practical difficulty, doing so in Mississippi would also be illegal.

If you find an injured squirrel, the correct step is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. The MDWFP provides information about what to do if you come across injured wildlife, as well as wildlife rehabilitation contacts and how to become a permitted rehabilitator. Rehabilitators hold specific permits that allow temporary care — not permanent ownership. You can learn more about squirrel behavior and biology to better understand why these animals are challenging to keep even when legally permitted elsewhere.

Residents who want a legal small exotic pet should research non-native species that Mississippi does permit with proper import documentation. For broader context on the wildlife you share your environment with, see this overview of snakes in Mississippi and other native species.

Housing and Care Requirements in Mississippi

Because private ownership of squirrels as pets is not currently authorized under Mississippi’s furbearing animal regulations, there are no state-published housing standards specifically for pet squirrels. The housing requirements that do exist in Mississippi law apply to permitted institutional holders of inherently dangerous wildlife — a category squirrels do not fall into, but whose standards illustrate how seriously the state takes captive wildlife care.

All permanent facilities housing a permitted wild animal must meet general housing and care requirements, including being surrounded by a perimeter fence serving as a secondary barrier of at least eight feet in height and a minimum of four feet from the cage holding the animals, or such other fencing, building, or protection sufficient to prevent unauthorized public entry or direct physical contact between the animals and the public.

For reference, in states where squirrel ownership is legally permitted, the care standards are demanding. Squirrels need large, multi-level enclosures with climbing structures, nesting materials, and environmental enrichment. They require a varied diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables, and they need access to a veterinarian experienced with exotic small mammals — a specialist that can be difficult to find in many parts of Mississippi.

If you are researching the broader ecology of Mississippi’s wildlife, the hawks and owls found in the state are among the natural predators that keep squirrel populations in balance — a reminder of how these animals function as part of a broader ecosystem rather than as isolated pets.

Local and Municipal Restrictions in Mississippi

Even in situations where state law might allow a particular animal, local governments in Mississippi have the authority to go further. Counties and municipalities may enact ordinances regulating or prohibiting the possession of wild animals if those ordinances are more stringent than the state chapter or the regulations promulgated by the commission. This means that even if a state-level permit pathway existed for squirrels, your city or county could still prohibit ownership outright.

Local municipalities can also have restrictions on exotic animals, and squirrels are considered exotic animals. Checking with your local municipality before seeking any squirrel permit is advisable, as they may have additional city or county bylaws you need to be aware of to ensure any animal you keep is legal to own.

Cities like Jackson, Gulfport, and Biloxi may have their own animal control ordinances that address exotic or wild animals separately from state wildlife law. Homeowners association rules and rental agreements can add another layer of restriction on top of municipal codes. If you are renting a house or apartment, there may be a clause in the lease agreement concerning pets, so consulting the lease or rental agreement — and contacting the landlord if it is unclear — is a necessary step.

For comparison, Mississippi’s approach to other wildlife species follows a similar pattern of layered regulation. The state’s rules on dog leash laws show how local ordinances frequently build on state-level frameworks, and the same principle applies to exotic animal ownership throughout the state.

Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Mississippi

Possessing a squirrel in violation of Mississippi’s furbearing animal regulations or nongame wildlife rules is not a minor infraction. The state treats wildlife violations seriously, and the consequences extend beyond a simple fine.

A violation of Mississippi’s captive wildlife act is a Class I violation, and any person convicted of a Class I violation shall be fined between $2,000 and $5,000 and imprisoned in the county jail for five days. The person must also forfeit all hunting, trapping, and fishing privileges for a period of not less than 12 consecutive months from the date of conviction.

Beyond the financial penalty and jail time, the animal itself is subject to seizure. The regulations make provisions about how a wild animal shall be seized when these provisions have been violated. In practice, that often means the animal is transferred to a licensed rehabilitator, sanctuary, or in some cases euthanized if no suitable placement can be found — an outcome that is harmful to the animal you sought to care for.

Federal law adds another dimension. If a squirrel was obtained from a seller who lacked a USDA license, both the buyer and seller could face federal wildlife trafficking charges under the Lacey Act, which prohibits the trade of wildlife taken or sold in violation of state or federal law. State laws are frequently changing in response to concerns for public safety and animal well-being, so you should always double-check for any new or proposed state or local legislation.

Violation Type	Penalty
Class I Wildlife Violation (state)	$2,000–$5,000 fine + 5 days county jail
Hunting/Fishing Privilege Loss	Minimum 12 consecutive months
Animal Seizure	Mandatory upon conviction
Federal Lacey Act (if applicable)	Up to $10,000 fine and/or 1 year imprisonment per violation

If you are passionate about squirrels and Mississippi’s wildlife, there are legal ways to engage with them. Supporting licensed wildlife rehabilitators, participating in MDWFP citizen science programs, or simply providing habitat in your yard through native plantings are all meaningful options. You might also explore what animals eat squirrels to better appreciate the ecological role these animals play — or learn about plants that repel squirrels if your interest leans toward managing them in your garden rather than keeping them as pets.

Mississippi’s wildlife laws exist to protect both the public and the animals themselves. Squirrels are wild animals with complex behavioral and dietary needs that are difficult to meet in a home environment, and the state’s regulations reflect that reality. If you are genuinely drawn to these animals, connecting with a licensed wildlife organization or rehabilitator in Mississippi is the most rewarding — and legally sound — path forward.