: In the U.S., any breeder with more than three (or four, depending on specific state interpretations) breeding females must be USDA licensed . Purchasing A Hedgehog

: As of 2026, hedgehogs are generally illegal to own as pets in California , Georgia , Hawaii , and Pennsylvania .

: They are banned in Washington, D.C. and all five boroughs of New York City .

: States like New Jersey and Wisconsin require specific permits for ownership or import.

Before buying, you must confirm that owning a hedgehog is legal in your specific location. Ownership laws vary significantly by state and even city:

requires careful legal verification and finding an ethical source, as they are classified as exotic pets. In the United States, African Pygmy hedgehogs are the most common domesticated species. 1. Legal Verification