Keep scrolling to learn about ten popular creatures banned in the United States, from “pocket animals” like hedgehogs and sugar gliders to hybrid cat species like Bengal. The terms “etc.” and “all species” are keywords that cover the application of the law for anything not explicitly stated in the code. Hopefully one day there will be an exception that says all species except Atelerix albiventris; or any other normally domesticated species. Until then, if you want to own a hedgehog in Georgia, ask permission and pray for them to grant it. Strangely, they allow licensed breeders to have hedgehogs as long as they`re not sold in the state — but no pets! Hedgehogs are susceptible to many diseases, including cancer, which spreads rapidly in hedgehogs, and Wobbly-Hedgehog syndrome (WHS), a neurological syndrome. Some symptoms of MHS are similar to those of multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans, so the animal`s condition can be compared to that of MS patients. One possible cause of SHM is a genetic error that allows a virus to attack the hedgehog`s nervous system. [ref. needed] The nose may exhibit a variety of symptoms of a restless hedgehog, especially respiratory diseases such as pneumonia. In many cases, the form of pneumonia that affects hedgehogs is bacterial in nature. If they act quickly, antibiotics can have a very positive effect. Signs to look out for include blisters, excessive dropping, or constant sneezing.
[ref. needed] While some states prohibit keeping hedgehogs as pets, I highly recommend adopting your new pet hedgehog from a USDA-licensed breeder. If the breeder is USDA certified, you can rest assured that the breeder complies with local rules and regulations, even when it comes to animal welfare. These thorny animals were banned as pets in Fairfax County until Tuesday, Jan. 22, when the Board of Supervisors legalized hedgehogs as pets and lifted the need for zoning permits to keep chinchillas and hermit crabs. In some states where hedgehogs are legal, the justification will often be that authorities do not expect hedgies to survive and thrive in the wild. This means that a runaway hedgehog is not a big deal. But there are many climates in the United States, and not all lawmakers agree. While various petitions and proposals to legalize the spiny animal have been conducted, lawmakers have voted against it. In Florida, hedgehogs are legal to own, but you need a permit to display or sell a hedgehog. According to the Wisconsin State Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Consumer Protection, hedgehogs are not considered wild animals, but pets. If you can`t really tell if your local government considers hedgehogs exotic animals that require a permit to own, you may need to call.
Whatever you do, do NOT identify or address yourself! You don`t want an overzealous official knocking on your door and saying you have a hedgehog in your house illegally! If you don`t think it`s happening, you`re wrong. We know people who have happened to this! So save yourself the sorrow. It is enough to know what their requirements are and to take the necessary measures to meet them. Fairfax joined Arlington and Loudoun counties as jurisdictions in northern Virginia that allowed hedgehogs. You can legally own an African pygmy hedgehog in the state of New Hampshire. Washington DC and Wyoming both had restrictions on hedgehog ownership, but no longer do so. Ultimately, hedgehogs are illegal in the state of Georgia unless you get a permit under NASCO Article 27-5-4. It has gone through the rumor mill that you may own a hedgehog in Georgia due to a “formality” as they are not specifically listed in section 27-5-5(b)(1)(b). Although the European hedgehog species is illegal in Oregon, you legally keep an African pygmy hedgehog as a pet in the state without a license.
Animal lovers, beware: Some pets commonly found in America may be illegal in your state or city. In South Carolina, the law does not specifically mention hedgehogs. Why can`t I have a hedgehog, sugar glider, ferret, or other restricted alien species as a pet in California? We believe that fear and ignorance create unreasonable restrictions when it comes to laws affecting hedgehogs as pets. They are not rodents or pests. They do not carry salmonella without exposure to it – which applies to all animals – not just hedgehogs. There are no negative environmental impacts caused by owning one. We guarantee that there will be no zombie apocalypse caused by owning a hedgehog! Nevertheless, we do not want them to be hurt because they live in one of the states that do not allow hedgehogs as pets. If this is the case, the African dwarf hedgehog is by far the most widely accepted breed, but there are also cases when the four-toed hedgehog is accepted. Neither the domesticated African dwarf hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) nor any other hedgehog species is on Hawaii`s approved list of conditionally approved animals §4-71-6.5. Hedgehogs can be kept as pets in Alaska without permission. Or at least the African pygmy hedgehogs, the most abundant hedgehog species in the United States.
Hedgehogs, like all other small animals, are complex and unique individuals that need special care, food and supplies throughout their lives. So before you look for a hedgehog online because you love Sega`s classic blue guy and want to buy your own Sonic on a whim, read on to find out why a hedgehog is anything but an ideal “pet.” Are you serious! Look at that adorable face! Believe me when we say that we fully understand how ridiculous it is that there are states where hedgehogs are illegal. In our view, some of these states allow pets that are far more dangerous than a hedgehog could ever be. We`re not going to throw out genus or species names, but we`re pretty sure one or more come to mind. So what`s the matter? The Romans domesticated a relative of the Algerian hedgehog in the 4th century BC to use for meat and quills as well as pets. [4] The Romans also used hedgehog skins to clean their scarves, which made them important for trade and prompted the Roman Senate to regulate the trade in hedgehog skins. [5] Quills have been used in the training of other animals, for example to save a calf from breastfeeding after weaning. [6] Before adding a hedgie to your family, it`s important to make sure it`s legal in your city, state, and county.
Laws are constantly changing, so it`s best to contact your state`s Fish and Game Commission or Department of Fish and Wildlife and check your local regulations. Minnesota`s exotic animal laws are actually pretty much lost, and until 2002, you could even keep a tiger or lion in your home. It`s no longer legal, but hedgehogs certainly are! Hedgehog keels were used for cardstock and dissection pens long after the Romans actively bred and bred hedgehogs. In Nevada, you can legally own, transport, and sell hedgehogs without a license. Currently, it is illegal to own a hedgehog in California. Georgia; Hawaii; New York City; Omaha, Nebraska; and Washington, D.C. Other states and cities may have specific restrictions or require a permit to keep one. It is also illegal to transport African hedgehogs. We applaud the legalization efforts in Georgia and hope that they will soon be fully legalized! They identified several animals as a security threat. While this may be true for some animals that have been banned, it hardly applies to African pygmy hedgehogs. Oh! And watch out for these gerbils.
These are also a threat! Please read the following direct quote: Please note that misclassification is not a magic escape and legal ownership of a hedgehog is ultimately decided and enforced by local law enforcement.