Greetings! My name is Miwacle, apparently the ONLY hedgehog at this law firm that does any work. Our senior partner Bozeman is constantly involved with trying to devise new methods of escape and there is just no way to get Waylon to be serious about anything. Sheesh!
This is the hedgehog legal page. It is divided into two parts. The first part is the part about where hedgehogs are or are not legal in terms of their interactions with human beings. The second part explains the legal operation of our rescue, including the humans that are a part of it. In the future, this section
will also include the Rescue's corporate charter and by-laws, maybe.
Around the world, laws are imposed by humans that govern the lives and activities of other humans and the environments and the beings that those humans interact with. This section reports the legal status of the hedgehog/human interface in various places. Please feel free to email me with corrections, additions and/or updates.
Most of the information is pertaining to the United States, because that is where we are located.
The list below is organized by country and subdivided by state/province, and then county and/or city as applicable.
Alberta: We have received information in the past that possessing hedgehogs in Alberta requires a "temporary shelter permit," but have received later information that permits are not required.
Quebec: We are told that it is illegal to possess hedgehogs in Quebec.
But more recent information we have received indicates pet African hedgehogs are
legal to keep there, as long as the hedgehogs speak French (only kidding).
Germany: See The Netherlands.
The Netherlands: We are told that African hedgehogs may be kept as pets. Native Erinaceus hedgehogs are protected species but, from what we understand, as in many European countries, hedgehogs at risk (injured, too small to hibernate as winter approaches, etc.) may be rehabilitated but must be released when the rehabilitation is
complete.
Republic of South Africa: The native South African hedgehog (also called the cape hedgehog), atelerix frontalis, are endangered species and are protected. Illegal to be kept as pets, individuals may rehabilitate injured or otherwise at-risk south African hedgehogs in their homes, but must release them to wildlife authorities upon
rehabilitation. Generally, such hedgehogs are reintroduced to the wild in protected areas away from the hazards of vehicular traffic, a major cause of hedgehog death. Also, unlike other African (atelerix) hedgehogs that cannot hibernate, the cape hedgehog can and does hibernate and so rehabilitation efforts may include keeping a
hedgehog over winter that is too small to hibernate. It is unknown if other (non endangered) African hedgehogs may be kept as pets in South Africa. Although the cape hedgehog is of a similar size to the Atelerix albiventris and Atelerix algirus, the coloring of the South African hedgehog is markedly different and easily distinguishable
from their cousins that live closer to the equator. Below is a photograph
of the baby orphan South African hedgehog Swartzie ("Blackie"), which was taken
at the home of a biologist in Stellenbosch who was raising Swartzie so he could
be released into a wildlife preserve far from vehicular traffic. Note the
striking black and white fur coloration.
United Kingdom: Apparently African hedgehogs can be kept as pets in the UK and are commercially available. Native Erinaceus hedgehogs are protected species but, from what we understand, as in many European countries, hedgehogs at risk (injured, too small to hibernate as winter approaches, etc.) may be rehabilitated but must be
released when the rehabilitation is complete.
United States of America: There are no federal laws concerning the possession of hedgehogs as pets that we know of. However, as of January, 1998, the sale, transfer, and/or public exhibition of hedgehogs fell under the U.S. Animal Welfare Act and requires U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection and licensure under the USDA Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service. Regulatory procedures, inspection requirements, and license fees may be found in USDA publications and are predicated upon how much sales volume is recorded for Class A and Class B sales and resale licenses and how many animals are housed for the class C exhibitor license.
Alabama: In the past there has been anecdotal information about hedgehogs being illegal in Alabama as pets, but we have heard nothing concrete and, as far as we know, they are legal and sold in pet shops throughout the state.
Alaska: Legal to possess since July, 1998, Alaska Fish and Game officials report that it is legal for people to have hedgehogs as pets BUT, the way the state regulation is written, it is legal to possess only ONE type of hedgehog, literally the African Pygmy Hedgehog - Atelerix albiventris. In my inquiry to Alaska officials, I was
informed that it is illegal to possess any other type of hedgehog, including the Algerian Hedgehog, Atelerix algirus. These regulations come up for review and renewal every few years and there is a possibility that this could be changed by letters sent to officials, etc., but a revision of this type was certainly not a high priority.
Naturally, both central African (albiventris) and Algerian (algirus) hedgehogs were imported into North America in the pet market and were interbred. The good news is that officials probably could not tell the difference between these hedgehogs anyway.
Arizona: Hedgehogs are illegal to possess in Arizona without a state
Wildlife Holding Permit issued by the state Game and Fish authorities. Requirements to obtain a permit are very stringent and lengthily and certain officials handling the permit process have been less than cooperative with applicants. At least one permit has
been issued, however, to former Arizona resident Shonda Statini, who is a dedicated hedgehog caretaker and has expressed a willingness to help others get through this process.
Unfortunately, Shonda moved out of Arizona several years ago and is no longer
able to assist in this endeavor. One requirement is that while the permit process is under way, applicants are expected to surrender their hedgehogs to state authorities. We are not convinced
that these officials have the knowledge or ability to care for hedgehogs properly nor to contract with someone who does. Therefore, if applying for a permit, applicants are advised to keep their hedgehogs out of the state of Arizona temporarily during the application process at a location where the hedgehogs will be well cared for. Our
rescue in Colorado offers a temporary housing opportunity free of charge for anyone going through this process. Apparently state authorities do not actively "hunt down" persons possessing hedgehogs in Arizona, but do respond to complaints and reports. Among other things, a permit holder is required to provide a detailed
description of their hedgehogs and themselves (height, weight, etc.). Officials told me that due to Arizona's climate there is concern that escaped pet hedgehogs could set up a resident wild population in the state.
California: Famous for its general exclusion of "exotic" pets, especially ferrets, California also prohibits hedgehogs. However, in this most heavily populated U.S. state, apparently officials, veterinarians, breeders, sellers, and caretakers are not too worried about the law in that a lot of hedgehog activity is openly
undertaken. Our experience has been that those hedgehogs that do wind up in an animal control facility are often turned in by caretakers themselves and that many animal control officials try to get the hedgehog removed from the state to out of state rescues. Again, the arguments for maintaining the law has to do with exotic pets
escaping and setting up a resident wild population that may upset the state's natural plants and wildlife. Examples such as fire ants, killer bees, kudzu, and nutria are often used.
Colorado: There is no state law against the possession of pet hedgehogs. Breeders, sellers (wholesale and retail), and rescues, however, come under the Colorado Pet Animal Care Facilities Act which is administered by the Office of the State Veterinarian, Division of Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture. Such facilities
must be inspected and hedgehog housing specifications are quite specific, including square foot dimensions and a 16" minimum height requirement. Annual license costs range from $100 to $300.
City of Denver: Until January of 2004, hedgehogs were illegal to possess as pets in the city of Denver, where there is a city ordinance that provides a list of pets that an individual MAY possess (dogs, cats, guinea pigs, etc.) and any animal not on the list are illegal. Denver animal control officials informed me that most of the hedgehogs they seized
were at Denver International Airport for people with hedgehogs that are
terminating their flight in Denver. These individuals then had to sign an
affidavit stating that they would remove the hedgehog(s) from the city limits.
Those individuals failing to do so would have their hedgehog(s) surrendered to
the Colorado Division of Wildlife. My interview with Wildlife officials
indicated that they had not yet had to take in a hedgehog under these circumstances and, therefore, did not have a policy where the hedgehog might end up. In all likelihood they would approach the Denver Dumb Friends League (in which case the hedgehog would end up at our rescue. We were also informed
that since our rescue was a USDA licensed facility, our hedgehogs would not be subject to seizure at Denver International Airport.
THEN, thanks to a community effort begun in 2002 to get hedgehogs added to the
list of permissable pets in Denver, the slow process of gaining support of
Denver City Council/County Commission members and animal control officials
began. Despite the irrational objections of so-called "animal welfare"
organizations (such as allegations that if hedgehogs were legalized in Denver,
they'd be running loose as strays all over the place), testimony in front of the
Council/Commission led to a vote approving the addition of hedgehogs (and sugar
gliders) as permissable pets in Denver as of January 2004.
Georgia: Hedgehogs cannot be possessed as pets but may be bred under a breeders license and then shipped out of state for entry into the retail sales trade. My interview with state officials revealed that they, like in Arizona, are concerned that escaped pet animals may set up a resident wild population (notwithstanding that the state
could probably use a few million insectivores running around loose). They contended that licensed breeders would be fewer in number than individual pet owners and easier to license and regulate. Besides, commercial breeders would be less likely to let animals escape because of their heightened commercial interest (how crass!!).
However, like many states where hedgehogs are illegal, there is not vigorous efforts to enforce the law, but rather to react to complaints and reports.
Hawaii: We believe (anecdotal information only) that hedgehogs are not permitted in Hawaii. The islands are particularly sensitive to the possibility of the introduction of nonnative animals into a very delicate ecosystem.
Idaho: Apparently African hedgehogs are allowed as pets in Idaho, but European hedgehogs are illegal.
Maine: There appears to be no prohibition to having and breeding
hedgehogs as pets in Maine and it is even permissible to privately sell them.
However, it seem that there is a state law against commercial sales (in pet
stores), and more recent legislation may have even outlawed the possession of
hedgehogs entirely.
New Jersey: Apparently the State Fish and Game authority requires a permit to have one or more hedgehogs at a flat fee of $10.00. We are not aware of any requirements beyond paying the fee.
Oregon: Apparently African hedgehogs are allowed as pets, but European hedgehogs are illegal.
Pennsylvania: We have heard through Brian Macnamara's hedgehog FAQ page
(but this is very dated information) that the Pennsylvania law prohibiting the
import of hedgehogs into the Commonwealth is designed to protect in-state
breeders. So while PA-bred hedgehogs are legal, it is illegal for the
breeders to bring in new stock. We have also been told that permits may be
issued for the temporary visitation of hedgehogs to the state for shows, etc.
From other sources we are told that hedgehogs were barred from importation into
Pennsylvania because state officials thought it would be a threat to the state's
pork industry! More recent experiences indicate that hedgehogs are subject
to seizure and that the Pennsylvania Game Commission aggressively hunts down
people harboring hedgehogs, obtains search warrants, and confiscates hedgehogs.
The laws on this matter are fairly well incomprehensible and therefore may be
interpreted in any way any official wishes. In our opinion, Pennsylvania
is the is the most risky place to possess a hedgehog and we would even recommend
against driving through any part of Pennsylvania with a hedgehog on board.
Vermont: Although illegal to possess in the past, we are now informed that
it is legal to possess pet hedgehogs in Vermont. However, we have seen no
written evidence of this since we spoke to state officials and were informed
that hedgehogs were illegal in Vermont.
Wyoming: A permit, called a Chapter Ten application must be applied for the possession, importation, and/or sale of hedgehogs through the local Game and Fish office. The local game warden is required to inspect the place where the hedgehog will be housed. According to state officials, the main concern is the health of the
animals and the risk to others (human and animal) in the state. However, there is not a great deal of concern about dangers from hedgehogs. The permit must be signed by the game warden and regional supervisor. There is no fee for the permit. Pet shops can only import hedgehogs by special order (cannot keep them in stock) and
must see a permit in possession of a customer before a hedgehog is ordered.
Part 2
The Rescue's
Legal Status
