You see them everywhere. From the gray fluffballs dodging taxis in Manhattan’s Madison Square Park to the chubby ones raiding bird feeders in suburban Buffalo. Squirrels are the unofficial mascots of New York. Because they’re so ubiquitous—and let’s be honest, pretty cute when they’re munching on an acorn—it’s natural to wonder if you can just bring one home. Maybe you found an orphaned pup on the sidewalk. Maybe you just want a pocket-sized companion with a bushy tail.
But here’s the reality. Is it legal to own a squirrel in New York? The short answer is a flat, uncompromising no.
Unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, keeping a squirrel as a pet in New York is a violation of state law. It doesn’t matter if you found it "distressed." It doesn’t matter if you have a massive cage and the best organic walnuts money can buy. In the eyes of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), that squirrel belongs to the wild, and you’re technically breaking the law by keeping it.
The Legal Hammer: Why the DEC Says No
New York isn't trying to be a buzzkill just for the sake of it. The state has incredibly strict classifications for what constitutes "wildlife." Under the New York Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), specifically Section 11-0512, most native wildlife species are protected. Squirrels fall squarely into this category.
Basically, the state views wild animals as a public resource. You can't just claim ownership of a piece of the ecosystem. The DEC regulates this to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases and to ensure that animals aren't subjected to improper care by well-meaning but untrained people. Squirrels can carry parasites, ticks, and occasionally more serious issues like leptospirosis or even salmonella.
If you get caught with an illegal squirrel, the consequences aren't just a slap on the wrist. The DEC has the authority to seize the animal. Often, because "pet" squirrels haven't been socialized for the wild and haven't been properly vetted, they end up being euthanized. You could also face fines that range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the circumstances.
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The Exception to the Rule
There is one path, but it's not a loophole for pet owners. It's a job.
To legally possess a squirrel in New York, you must hold a Wildlife Rehabilitator License. Getting this isn't as simple as filling out a form. You have to be at least 16 years old, pass a written examination administered by the DEC, and demonstrate that you have the facilities to house and care for injured or orphaned animals properly. Even then, the goal of a rehabilitator is release. You aren't "owning" the squirrel; you're nursing it back to health so it can go back to being a squirrel in the woods.
If the squirrel is "non-releasable" due to a permanent disability, a rehabilitator might get special permission to keep it as an educational animal, but the paperwork is a nightmare. It's never about companionship.
The Reality of Living With a Squirrel (It’s Not a Disney Movie)
Let’s say you decided to ignore the law. You think, "The DEC isn't coming to my apartment in Queens."
You’d be surprised. Honestly, squirrels make terrible roommates.
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They are high-octane rodents with a biological drive to chew. They don't distinguish between a twig and your MacBook Pro charging cable. Their teeth grow constantly, meaning they must gnaw to keep them from overgrowing into their own skulls. In a house, that means your baseboards, your furniture, and your electrical wiring are all fair game.
Then there’s the "wild" factor. Squirrels aren't domesticated. Unlike dogs or cats, which have thousands of years of evolution alongside humans, squirrels remain fundamentally wild. They hit "puberty" around six months to a year, and their personalities often flip. A sweet, cuddly baby can suddenly become a territorial, biting machine. They have incredibly sharp claws designed for scaling bark—your skin doesn't stand a chance.
They also don't "potty train" in any meaningful way. They go where they want, when they want.
The P’Nut the Squirrel Case: A Warning Tale
You might remember the viral story of P’Nut (or Peanut) the squirrel. This wasn't some ancient history; it hit the headlines recently and sparked a massive debate about government overreach and wildlife laws in New York.
Mark Longo had rescued P’Nut and kept him for seven years. He even ran a popular Instagram account for the squirrel. But because it was technically illegal to own a squirrel in New York without the proper permits, the DEC eventually raided his home in Pine City. Because the squirrel bit an investigator, it had to be tested for rabies. In New York (and most states), the only way to test for rabies is to examine brain tissue.
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The squirrel was euthanized.
It was a tragic situation that broke hearts across the internet, but it serves as a stark, real-world example of how seriously New York takes these regulations. The state’s stance is that by keeping a wild animal, you are creating a public health risk and a situation where the animal can no longer survive on its own.
What to Do If You Find an Orphaned Squirrel
Most people who ask is it legal to own a squirrel in New York aren't looking to start a clandestine rodent smuggling ring. They usually found a baby that fell out of a nest during a storm.
If you find a squirrel in NY, here is the expert-approved protocol:
- Wait and Observe: Often, the mother is nearby. If the baby is warm and uninjured, give the mom a few hours to come get it.
- Keep it Warm: If the mom doesn't return, put the baby in a box with a soft cloth and a heat source (like a heating pad on the lowest setting under half the box).
- Do NOT Feed It: This is the biggest mistake people make. Feeding a dehydrated baby squirrel cow's milk or even Pedialyte incorrectly can cause it to aspirate (get fluid in its lungs) and die.
- Find a Pro: Go to the DEC website and use their locator tool to find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your county.
Actionable Steps for New Yorkers
If you're still craving that squirrel connection, you have better options than breaking the law.
- Volunteer: Contact local nature centers or wildlife rehabbers. They always need help cleaning cages and prepping food. You get the interaction without the legal risk.
- Support Local Wildlife: Instead of bringing the wild inside, make your backyard a haven. Plant native oak or hickory trees. Install a squirrel-specific feeder (away from your bird feeders, if you value your sanity).
- Study for the License: If you’re truly passionate, download the Wildlife Rehabilitator Study Guide from the DEC. It’s a fascinating deep dive into biology and state law.
New York’s rules might feel cold, especially when you’re looking into the black, beady eyes of a shivering kit. But these laws exist to protect the balance of the local ecosystem and the health of both humans and animals. Keeping a squirrel in an apartment isn't kindness; it's a legal and biological mess. Stick to the parks, keep your camera ready, and let the wild stay wild.