South · GA

Are hedgehogs legal in Georgia?

Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets statewide in Georgia.

Status

Illegal

What the law says in Georgia

Georgia prohibits private hedgehog ownership under state Department of Natural Resources regulations. Hedgehogs are classified as a restricted species — owning one for pet purposes is not permitted. The reasoning, similar to California, focuses on potential invasive-species concerns and the general restrictive approach to non-native mammals.

There is no general personal-pet permit pathway.

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.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources — Wildlife Resources Division: georgiawildlife.com/regulations

Statute citations

Georgia Code §27-5-4 (Restricted Species regulations)

Common questions

Are hedgehogs illegal everywhere in Georgia?

Yes. The restriction applies statewide; there is no part of Georgia where private hedgehog ownership is currently legal.

What if I move to Georgia with a hedgehog from another state?

The state restriction applies regardless of where the animal originated. Owners moving from a hedgehog-legal state should plan to rehome the animal before relocating, or contact GA DNR to discuss surrender options.

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.