By Bob Paterson No, you generally cannot simply capture or keep a squirrel as an ordinary household pet without authorization. Illinois protects native squirrels under the Wildlife Code. Gray squirrels and fox squirrels are classified as game mammals, while species such as flying squirrels and red squirrels receive additional protections. Possession of a legally acquired captive-reared game mammal can be allowed with an appropriate Illinois Department of Natural Resources permit, but taking a wild squirrel and keeping it alive as a pet is generally prohibited.
What Does Illinois Law Say About Owning a Squirrel?
Squirrels are regulated primarily under the Illinois Wildlife Code, 520 ILCS 5.
Illinois specifically classifies the gray squirrel and fox squirrel as game mammals. Flying squirrels, red squirrels and certain other squirrel species are also listed among protected wild mammals.
State law generally prohibits taking, possessing, selling, propagating or releasing protected wild mammals contrary to the Wildlife Code.
This means a squirrel living in a yard, park, forest or other natural area cannot simply be captured and converted into a household pet.
However, Illinois law does provide a permitting system for lawful possession of certain captive-reared protected wildlife.
Can You Keep a Captive-Bred Squirrel in Illinois?
Potentially, but proper authorization is required.
Illinois law provides that a person who wants to hold, possess or raise a protected game mammal must obtain an appropriate permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
A Class A Noncommercial Game Breeder Permit can authorize possession and keeping of protected species in captivity for noncommercial purposes. A Class B Commercial permit applies when qualifying animals are bred, possessed or sold commercially.
Permit holders must also maintain records showing how protected animals were acquired and disposed of.
Therefore, buying a captive-bred gray or fox squirrel does not automatically make ownership legal. The person possessing the animal must satisfy the applicable IDNR requirements.
Can You Catch a Wild Squirrel and Keep It as a Pet?
No, Illinois wildlife rules do not allow a person to capture a wild squirrel and simply keep it alive as a pet.
Illinois specifically regulates the taking of fox and gray squirrels. They may be hunted only during authorized seasons and using methods allowed by law.
The state’s wildlife rules also provide that a person cannot take wildlife from the wild and retain it alive except where a specific authorization applies.
A game-breeder permit does not give its holder permission to capture wild game mammals contrary to Illinois hunting and wildlife laws.
This distinction is important. A legally documented captive-reared squirrel obtained under the appropriate permit system is different from a squirrel captured from a backyard or forest.
Can You Keep a Baby Squirrel You Find?
Finding an apparently abandoned baby squirrel does not give someone the legal right to keep it permanently.
Illinois considers most native wild mammals protected wildlife. An injured or orphaned squirrel should generally be referred to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Wildlife rehabilitators have specific authorization to temporarily possess and care for injured, sick or orphaned wild animals. The objective is normally to rehabilitate the animal and return it to the wild when it can survive independently.
Someone who finds a baby squirrel should avoid assuming that it has been abandoned. Young squirrels can sometimes be temporarily separated from their mother, who may return.
Keeping and raising the squirrel without appropriate wildlife authorization can violate Illinois law.
Are Gray and Fox Squirrels Treated Differently From Red Squirrels?
Yes, Illinois distinguishes among squirrel species.
Gray squirrels and fox squirrels are classified as game mammals. Illinois establishes hunting seasons and bag limits for these species.
Current statewide rules allow fox and gray squirrels to be hunted during the authorized squirrel season, subject to applicable limits and hunting requirements.
Red squirrels receive greater protection. Illinois law specifically states that red squirrels may not be taken in the state at any time. Other protected squirrels, including flying squirrels, are also subject to wildlife protections.
Therefore, a person should identify the species before assuming that rules applying to a common gray squirrel apply equally to every squirrel found in Illinois.
Can You Buy a Squirrel From Another State?
Bringing a protected live squirrel into Illinois does not automatically make possession legal merely because the animal was purchased lawfully somewhere else.
Illinois restricts bringing protected wildlife into the state for the purpose of holding or propagating it without proper authorization.
Licensed game breeders can acquire qualifying captive-reared animals under the provisions of the Wildlife Code, but documentation concerning the animal’s legal origin is important.
Permit holders must maintain acquisition and disposition records. Failure to produce required records can create a presumption that protected game mammals are contraband.
Anyone considering obtaining a squirrel from an out-of-state breeder should therefore confirm Illinois permit requirements before acquiring or transporting the animal.
Can You Release a Pet Squirrel Into the Wild?
A person should not simply release a captive squirrel whenever he or she no longer wants the animal.
Illinois regulates the release of wildlife from captivity. Wildlife generally may not be released unless the release is authorized by IDNR or falls under a specific permit or wildlife-management program.
This is especially important for captive-reared animals because releasing them can create disease, genetic and wildlife-management concerns.
A person who can no longer legally or safely care for a squirrel should contact IDNR, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or another appropriately authorized facility rather than releasing it independently.
What Are the Penalties for Illegally Keeping a Squirrel?
Illegal possession of protected wildlife can result in enforcement under the Illinois Wildlife Code.
The particular penalty depends on the violation. Taking a protected squirrel unlawfully, keeping live wildlife without required authorization, exceeding possession limits or violating permit conditions can result in citations and other consequences.
Wildlife being held illegally may also be treated as contraband and removed from the person’s possession.
Illinois conservation police enforce the Wildlife Code, including rules involving unlawful capture, possession and release of squirrels and other native wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can you legally keep a squirrel as a pet in Illinois?
Keeping a squirrel is not generally permitted without appropriate IDNR authorization. Lawful possession of certain captive-reared squirrels may be possible under a game breeder permit.
Q2. Can I keep a baby squirrel that I rescued?
Finding or rescuing a baby squirrel does not create permanent ownership rights. Injured or orphaned squirrels should generally be transferred to a licensed Illinois wildlife rehabilitator.
Q3. Can I catch a squirrel in my yard and raise it?
Illinois does not generally permit someone to capture protected wild wildlife and retain it alive as a pet. A breeder permit does not authorize illegal capture of wild squirrels.
Q4. Do I need a permit for a captive-bred squirrel?
Generally, possession of captive-reared protected game mammals such as gray or fox squirrels requires an appropriate Illinois game breeder permit and documentation showing lawful acquisition.