Can You Own a Squirrel in Vermont? Laws, Permits, and What to Know
August 1, 2026
Vermont is home to a handful of squirrel species that are hard not to admire — quick, resourceful animals that seem to thrive in both deep forest and backyard bird feeders alike. It’s no surprise that some people wonder whether they can keep one as a pet. Before you act on that curiosity, though, you need to understand what Vermont law actually says about squirrel ownership, because the answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no.
The short version is this: Vermont treats virtually all native wildlife as protected, and squirrels fall squarely into that category. Whether you’re thinking about a gray squirrel you spotted in your yard or a flying squirrel you’d like to bring home, state regulations impose real restrictions — and real consequences for getting it wrong. This guide walks you through the legal landscape clearly, so you can make an informed decision.
Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Vermont?
Owning a squirrel in Vermont sits in legally restricted territory. Vermont law provides that a person may not bring into the state or possess any live wild bird or animal of any kind, unless the person obtains from the commissioner a permit to do so. That broad rule covers squirrels — both native species and non-native ones brought in from other states.
Permits are rarely issued for private pet ownership and are generally reserved for scientific, educational, or rehabilitation purposes. This means that even if you apply, approval for keeping a squirrel purely as a household pet is far from guaranteed. The state’s approach is not to maintain a long list of banned animals; instead, it uses the permit-denial mechanism to achieve the same effect for most wild species.
There is one narrow pathway that avoids the permit requirement entirely. Species designated as “domestic animals,” “domestic pets,” or appearing on the “Unrestricted Wild Animals” list can be kept without obtaining an importation and possession permit. The Unrestricted Wild Animals list includes species determined to pose no threat to Vermont’s native wildlife, present minimal danger to human health and safety, and prove suitable as pets for state residents. Native Vermont squirrels do not appear on that list.
Important Note: Even if a squirrel species appears to be unrestricted at the state level, you must still verify your specific town or city ordinances before acquiring any animal. State-level permission does not guarantee local legality.
For more context on the broader world of squirrels as animals, including their behavior and natural history, it helps to understand what you’d actually be taking on before pursuing any legal pathway.
Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Vermont?
Vermont has several squirrel species living within its borders, and understanding how each is classified under state law matters a great deal. The three most commonly encountered are the eastern gray squirrel, the American red squirrel, and the northern flying squirrel.
The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is probably the most familiar face at Vermont feeders and in suburban yards. Despite its abundance, it is classified as a game animal under Vermont law. It is illegal to buy or sell a wild bird, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, or gray squirrel in Vermont, which signals how firmly the state treats this species as protected wildlife rather than a potential pet. Keeping a wild-caught gray squirrel without authorization is a violation of state law.
The American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is equally protected as native wildlife. You can learn more about the different types of squirrels found across North America to get a sense of how these species compare in temperament and care needs.
The northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) is a native species and is therefore subject to the same importation and possession restrictions as other native wildlife. However, the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans), which is not native to Vermont, occupies a somewhat different regulatory position — it may appear on the Unrestricted Wild Animals list depending on the department’s most current update. You should confirm directly with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department before assuming any flying squirrel species is freely permissible. Our dedicated guide on the flying squirrel covers their behavior and care requirements in depth.
Pro Tip: The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s Unrestricted Wild Animals list is updated periodically. Always check the current version directly on their website rather than relying on older secondary sources.
If you’re curious about the full range of squirrel diversity across the country, the types of squirrels in the US resource provides a useful overview. You can also compare Vermont’s situation with neighboring states by reading about squirrels in New York.
Permit and License Requirements in Vermont
If you want to legally possess a squirrel species that is not on the Unrestricted Wild Animals list, a Wildlife Importation and Possession Permit is the required route. State law requires anyone wishing to purchase, possess, import, sell, exhibit, or breed a pet or animal in Vermont to first determine if a permit is required.
The application process has specific requirements you need to meet before you even submit. To obtain a Wildlife Importation & Possession permit, complete the Importation and Possession Permit Application Form and submit it with the $100 application fee and a veterinarian’s certificate certifying that the animal is free of contagious, communicable diseases to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department prior to importing and possessing the pet or wild animal. Allow at least 30 days for permit issuance.
There is a critical condition attached to the permit system that many applicants overlook. Except as provided, the Commissioner shall not issue a permit for the keeping or possession of any wild animal in captivity, except for bona fide scientific or educational purposes. For purposes other than importation and possession for bona fide research and educational purposes, the Commissioner shall not issue a permit unless it has been determined that the wild animal or wildlife proposed to be brought into or possessed in the State does not conflict with the purpose of this regulation. In practice, this means private pet ownership applications face a high bar.
| Permit Type | Purpose | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Importation & Possession Permit | Import or possess a regulated wild animal | $100 | At least 30 days |
| Dealer’s Permit | Sell or trade wild animals commercially | No charge | At least 30 days |
| Temporary Exhibition Permit | Display wild animals temporarily | Varies | Contact VT Fish & Wildlife |
If you are a business selling or trading wild animals, persons or businesses in Vermont that sell or trade wild animals must first obtain a Dealer’s Permit. To obtain a permit, complete the Dealer’s Permit Application and submit it to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department with a copy of your Pet Merchant License issued by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.
Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Vermont
Because wild-caught squirrels from Vermont are off the table entirely, the only realistic legal pathway to owning a squirrel in the state is sourcing a captive-bred animal from a licensed breeder or dealer in another state — and only for species that Vermont either lists as unrestricted or for which you have obtained prior permit approval.
A person shall not bring into, transport into, transport within, transport through, or possess in the State any live wild bird or animal of any kind, including reptiles and amphibians, without authorization from the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee. This means you cannot simply drive a squirrel across state lines without first securing your permit, regardless of whether the animal was legally purchased elsewhere.
When sourcing from out of state, look for USDA-licensed exotic animal breeders who specialize in small mammals. Reputable breeders will provide health documentation, which you will need anyway for your Vermont permit application. Avoid any seller who cannot supply paperwork showing the animal was captive-bred, as Vermont law also prohibits bringing into the State from another country, state, or province wildlife illegally taken, transported, or possessed contrary to the laws governing the country, state, or province from which the wildlife originated.
No Vermont pet store can legally sell you a gray squirrel. It is illegal to buy or sell a wild bird, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, or gray squirrel under Vermont’s hunting and wildlife regulations. Any seller claiming otherwise is operating outside the law.
Housing and Care Requirements in Vermont
If you do obtain a squirrel through a legal channel, Vermont’s permit conditions set the baseline for how the animal must be housed. Any person permitted to import, possess, or collect wild animals shall provide adequate facilities as required by the Commissioner. Conditions may be imposed that require specific conditions for captivity or exposure to humans. The department evaluates housing on a case-by-case basis, so there is no single universal enclosure standard — but the expectation is that the animal’s welfare is genuinely met.
For a squirrel kept in captivity, the practical care requirements are substantial regardless of what the permit says. Squirrels are highly active animals that need significant vertical space for climbing. A large, multi-level enclosure — at minimum four feet wide, two feet deep, and four feet tall — is a reasonable starting point for a single animal. Solid flooring is preferable to wire mesh, which can injure feet and nails over time.
- Provide branches, platforms, and nest boxes to support natural climbing and denning behavior
- Offer a varied diet of nuts, seeds, fresh vegetables, and some protein — avoid processed foods and excessive sunflower seeds
- Keep the enclosure in a temperature-stable indoor environment away from drafts and direct heat sources
- Plan for daily enrichment and handling if the goal is a socialized animal
- Locate an exotic-animal veterinarian in Vermont before acquiring the animal, not after
Finding a vet who treats squirrels in Vermont takes advance planning. Most standard small-animal practices do not see exotic wildlife, so you will need to identify an avian and exotic specialist ahead of time. The FindLaw exotic animal laws resource notes that carrying liability insurance is also a good idea for owners in case such animals injure others.
If you’re concerned about squirrels interacting with your outdoor spaces rather than living inside your home, the guide on plants that repel squirrels offers practical alternatives to consider.
Local and Municipal Restrictions in Vermont
State law is only one layer of the regulatory picture. State law represents only part of Vermont’s exotic pet regulatory landscape. Municipalities can impose additional restrictions beyond state requirements, creating a patchwork of local regulations that prospective exotic pet owners must navigate.
Burlington is the most prominent example of a Vermont municipality that has considered going further than state law. The city of Burlington has considered implementing a comprehensive exotic animal ban that would prohibit ownership of virtually all non-traditional pets. The proposed ordinance defines “exotic animal” as all animals except domestic dogs, domestic cats, domestic mice, domestic rats, domestic rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, European ferrets, and a few other common household pets. As of late 2024, the proposal was removed from consideration following public opposition, but the situation demonstrates how local ordinances can dramatically restrict exotic pet ownership beyond state law.
Vermont municipalities have broad authority to regulate animals within their borders. The legislative body of a city or town by ordinance may regulate the licensing, keeping, leashing, muzzling, restraint, impoundment, and destruction of domestic pets or wolf-hybrids and their running at large. That same municipal authority extends to exotic and wild animals in many towns.
Before you pursue any permit or purchase, contact your town clerk or select board directly to ask whether local ordinances address exotic pet ownership. This step is not optional — while your state may allow you to keep certain animals as pets, local laws can restrict ownership. The Vermont towns most likely to have additional restrictions are larger municipalities and those with active conservation boards.
Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Vermont
Vermont has strengthened its wildlife violation penalties in recent years, and the consequences for illegal squirrel possession are meaningful. Maximum fines have doubled from $1,000 to $2,000 with a potential jail sentence of up to 60 days for the first offense. A second offense now brings a maximum fine of $5,000 and potential jail sentence of up to 180 days.
The same penalties also now apply for possessing, transporting, buying, or selling big game; violations of threatened or endangered species laws; interference with hunting, fishing, or trapping; and illegal commercial importation or possession of wild animals. These updates took effect through Act 47, passed by the Vermont legislature, as reported by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department in September 2025.
Beyond fines and potential jail time, the state can take your animal. Any wild animal that is taken, imported, or possessed in violation of this regulation, or is kept in violation of any permit issued, may be confiscated and disposed of in accordance with 10 V.S.A. § 4513. Permit violations and violations of Part 4 of Title 10 may also result in the revocation of the permit.
There is also a treble damages provision that can multiply the financial pain significantly. The Department may dispose of unlawfully possessed or imported wildlife as it may judge best, and the State may collect treble damages from the violator for all expenses incurred. That means the state can charge you three times its actual enforcement and disposal costs on top of any criminal fine.
Important Note: Vermont’s wildlife violation penalties were updated through Act 47, which passed in the spring of 2025. Always verify the current penalty schedule with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department or a licensed Vermont attorney, as figures may change with future legislative sessions.
The bottom line is straightforward: the legal risk of keeping a squirrel without proper authorization in Vermont is not trivial. Between potential fines, jail time, animal confiscation, and treble damage claims, the consequences far outweigh the appeal of bypassing the permit process.
If you want to enjoy Vermont’s squirrel population without the legal complexity, observing them in their natural habitat remains one of the most rewarding options. Vermont’s forests and green spaces also host a wide range of other fascinating wildlife — from the hawks and owls of the state’s woodlands to the colorful birds that pass through each season. Understanding the animals that share your landscape — including what animals eat squirrels and how squirrels fit into the local food web — can be just as engaging as keeping one at home, without any of the legal exposure.