Hedgehogs are known for being great pets. With their prickly outsides and soft bellies, they’re sought after for being cute, well-behaved, hypoallergenic, easy to care for, and photographing extremely well. Their small size and agreeable nature make them ideal companions for people of all ages.
The Atlanta, GA hedgehog sitters at Critter Sitters welcomes you to use our pet-sitting services to care for your other pets, including dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and more.
Is It Legal to Own a Hedgehog in Georgia?
It is currently not legal to own a hedgehog as a pet in the state of Georgia. Due to a few reasons including health risks and ecological concerns, they are included on the Georgia Department of Natural Resource’s list of regulated exotic animals.
While it’s unfortunate that you’re unable to own hedgehogs in the state of Georgia, there are still many pet possibilities available to you.
Why Were Hedgehogs Banned in Georgia?
The main reason that the state of Georgia cites for its hedgehog ban is that domesticated hedgehogs would cause an uptick in the wild population if they were, by chance, to escape from their homes, thus throwing the local ecosystem off balance. They could also increase the risk of extinction for local endangered species by competing for habitat. (Hedgehog lovers claim that if domesticated hedgehogs were to be released into the wild, they would most likely die before being able to have any measurable impact on the ecosystem.)
Another reason for the hedgehog ban is a health risk for humans, especially hedgehog owners and those handling them. Hedgehogs are more prone than other animals to spreading diseases. Salmonella bacteria are highly present in the droppings of hedgehogs and can be carried on their bodies and anything they come into contact with; in fact, numerous salmonella outbreaks, beginning in the 1990s, have been linked back to salmonella carried by domesticated hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are also especially prone to spreading foot and mouth disease as well as rabies, chlamydia, pseudotuberculosis, and other fungal and bacterial diseases.
As a precaution to prevent the spread of disease through hedgehog ownership, the CDC does advise owners not kiss or snuggle their hedgehogs too closely, to wash their hands frequently when touching or handling them, and to avoid letting hedgehogs roam in food preparation, serving, or storage areas.
What Does the Georgia Hedgehog Ban Entail?
Hedgehogs are listed as an “insectivore” on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources list of non-native wild animals. All of the animals on this list, which also includes rhinoceroses and warthogs, are banned from being owned as pets. “Hedgehogs” is broadly listed, encompassing all breeds, though most hedgehogs sold as pets are African pygmy hedgehogs (also known as the white-bellied hedgehog or four-toed hedgehog), Egyptian long-eared hedgehogs, or Indian long-eared hedgehogs.
Note that it isn’t wise to try to keep a hedgehog as a pet in secret. Doing so will mean that you won’t be able to take it to a veterinarian, since veterinarians are required to report the possession of a hedgehog in the state of Georgia. Fines are imposed upon anyone possessing a hedgehog, and can range from $500 to $40,000.
If you want to move out of Georgia to be able to own your hedgehog, you won’t be able to go to California; Hawaii; New York City; Washington, D.C.; Australia; or Singapore. Those places have also made it illegal to own hedgehogs. Other countries, states, and municipalities have bans on specific breeds, while some require permits before owning a hedgehog as a pet.
Will It Ever Be Legal to Own a Hedgehog in Georgia?
Hedgehog-loving Georgians will not sit idly by without their prickly friends. In 2014, a bill that would legalize hedgehogs went through the Georgia state senate but was eventually rejected. The bill was reintroduced to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2017 and failed for a second time. Campaigning for the bill’s passage included a petition and Facebook page. Hedgehog ownership activists say that in order for hedgehogs to be legalized in Georgia, more buy-in from veterinarians and exotic pet experts will be needed.
Fans of hedgehogs should also note a loophole. While it’s forbidden to own individual hedgehogs as pets, it is legal to breed hedgehogs in the state of Georgia as long as the breeder has a permit, though the bred hedgehogs must be sold in other states. A permit can be obtained by filing an application through the USDA.
Atlanta Pet-Sitters Are Available to Care for Your Pets
The professional Atlanta pet-sitters at Critter Sitters are experienced with sitting pets of all varieties across the Atlanta region. When life takes you elsewhere, we’ll be there to care for your pet, providing attention, long term pet care, and whatever your pet needs at a moment’s notice. For more information about what we can do to provide your pet with the best care available in the Atlanta region, call us today at 404-793-6178.
