South · DC
Are hedgehogs legal in District of Columbia?
Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets in the District of Columbia — DC uses a closed allowed-pets list and hedgehogs aren't on it.
Status
Illegal
What the law says in District of Columbia
DC takes a more restrictive approach than most US jurisdictions. Under D.C. Code §8-1808(j)(1), the District maintains a closed, affirmative list of animals that may be kept as household pets. The list is short — limited to domestic dogs (with carve-outs for wolf/coyote/jackal hybrids), domestic cats (with carve-outs for ocelot/margay hybrids), domesticated rodents and rabbits, captive-bred cage birds, non-venomous fish, turtles, ferrets, and racing pigeons (with permit). The statute prohibits any person from possessing, displaying, offering for sale, trading, bartering, exchanging, or adopting any animal as a household pet that isn't on the enumerated list.
African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) are not on the enumerated list. Under DC's "closed list" structure, failure to appear on the list = prohibited.
No personal pet permit pathway exists. The DC Mayor may authorize licensed wildlife rehabilitators or veterinarians to hold a prohibited animal for treatment, but not for private ownership.
Where to verify
Always verify the current legal status before purchasing a hedgehog. Laws change, and local municipal codes can add restrictions on top of state law.
DC Department of Health — Animal Services: dchealth.dc.gov
Statute citations
Common questions
Common questions
Can I get a permit for a hedgehog in DC?
No. DC's allowed-pets list (D.C. Code §8-1808) is closed — there's no permit pathway for animals not on the list. Veterinary or rehabilitator permits exist for treating prohibited animals temporarily, but those don't authorize private pet ownership.
What if I move to DC with a hedgehog from another state?
The DC restriction applies regardless of where the animal originated. Owners moving from a hedgehog-legal state should plan to rehome the animal before relocating. Possessing a hedgehog in DC is a violation that can result in confiscation.
Related on this site
Notice anything wrong? Laws change and we miss things. Email hello@myhedgehogcare.com with a link to the source and we’ll update within a week.
We are not lawyers. This page is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify with the relevant state agency before acquiring a pet.