Sable Pet Legal States 2025

Legal with permit

Legal

Illegal

State	Sable Pet Legality↓	Additional Details
Arkansas	Legal with permit	Non-native wildlife may be kept as pets if obtained legally with veterinary documentation proving they are disease-free, maintained in humane conditions, with males either neutered or separated, and housed in enclosures that prevent escape and injury.
Connecticut	Legal with permit	Under § 26-55, individuals are prohibited from importing, introducing, possessing, or releasing any live fish, wild bird, wild mammal, reptile, amphibian, or invertebrate in Connecticut without obtaining a permit.
Florida	Legal with permit	Class III Wildlife for Personal Use - permit required
Kentucky	Legal with permit	In Kentucky, individuals are prohibited from possessing inherently dangerous animals or endangered species, such as primates, many large and venomous reptiles, bears, large cats, elephants, rhinos, hippos, wolves, and more, with the exception of wild ferrets, which are permitted with proper authorization.
Louisiana	Legal with permit	Louisiana does not specify pets permitted without licenses, prohibits ownership of potentially dangerous animals, and mandates permits for taking animals from the wild for personal possession.
Maryland	Legal with permit	In Maryland, certain species such as foxes, skunks, raccoons, all species of bears, alligators, crocodiles, all species of wild cats, wolves, nonhuman primates, various venomous reptiles, etc., are prohibited as pets, while sables are not explicitly listed; however, considering strict regulations, it is assumed that a permit will be needed—please check with the local authorities.
Michigan	Legal with permit	Michigan prohibits the importation of any species with the potential to spread diseases or parasites or endanger native wildlife, livestock, or property, while regulating other wild or exotic animal imports with requirements like vet exams, disease tests, and proper care.
Minnesota	Legal with permit	All mammals and birds imported into the state must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI).
Montana	Legal with permit	Operating a wild animal menagerie requires obtaining a permit, defined as any place where bears or large cats are kept in captivity for purposes other than public exhibition; additionally, all other exotic animals entering the state must be accompanied by a one-time entry permit and an official health certificate.
Nebraska	Legal with permit	A Captive Wildlife Permit is necessary to keep any wild birds or mammals in captivity for personal use or to breed game birds for release or sale.
Nevada	Legal with permit	A Captive Wildlife Permit is necessary for keeping certain captive wild birds, mammals, or wildlife.
New Hampshire	Legal with permit	Individuals are prohibited from possessing exotic animals like felines, bears, wolves, poisonous reptiles, and non-human primates, unless they are exhibitors. However, certain noncontrolled animals, such as sugar gliders, non-venomous reptiles, and ferrets, may be privately possessed within the state without a license.
North Dakota	Legal with permit	Ownership of a Martes zibellina (sable) as a pet in North Dakota likely requires a license and import permit due to its exotic nature and absence from the list of allowed animals; for precise guidance, it's advisable to consult with local authorities or relevant agencies.
Ohio	Legal with permit	Sables are not explicitly mentioned in Ohio's regulations. However, given their exotic status and the general restrictions on owning certain exotic species without permits, it is prudent to assume that ownership of sables in Ohio would likely require permits or authorization. For precise guidance, it's advisable to consult local authorities or relevant agencies.
Oregon	Legal with permit	Martes zibellina (sable) is not explicitly prohibited, implying potential legality for possession in this state, yet confirmation from local authorities is advised for certainty.
Pennsylvania	Legal with permit	Pennsylvania does not enumerate exotic pets permissible without a permit, nor does it specify which exotic pets are prohibited, necessitating verification from local authorities for clarification.
Tennessee	Legal with permit	In Tennessee, Martes zibellina (sable) doesn't seem explicitly prohibited or classified, implying potential legality for possession without special permits or paperwork, yet confirmation from local authorities is advisable for precise compliance.
Vermont	Legal with permit	In Vermont, a permit is required to keep any exotic animals that are not specifically listed on the unrestricted list if you wish to keep them as pets.
Virginia	Legal with permit	In Virginia, there are no specific prohibitions on owning any animals as pets, although obtaining permits may be challenging.
West Virginia	Legal with permit	In West Virginia, possessing any wild animals or wildlife requires a permit; without one, ownership is prohibited.
Wisconsin	Legal with permit	To import a wild animal into the state, individuals must obtain an import permit along with a certificate of veterinary inspection. Additionally, authorization from the Department of Natural Resources is necessary to import certain rodents. Licenses are mandatory for breeding, selling, purchasing, and possessing specific native wild animal species, as well as any nonnative "harmful wild animals," which include cougars, members of the family Ursidae, wild swine, and feral swine.
Wyoming	Legal with permit	According to Wyoming state law, individuals need a permit for any living wildlife designated by the state unless they are specifically exempt or prohibited.
Delaware	Legal	Delaware does not regulate exempt exotics, permitting their purchase and ownership without a permit.
Georgia	Legal	European ferrets, if neutered by seven months and with a rabies vaccine, are allowed in Georgia, indicating a possibility for sables to be categorized similarly.
Idaho	Legal	Import and possession of threatened Canada lynx are banned, as well as taking large predatory wildlife from the wild for pets, while small ones remain legal. All other native mammals, birds, and reptiles can be possessed without a permit unless they are of species concern, threatened, or endangered, with proof of lawful obtainment.
Illinois	Legal	There are no state requirements for individuals possessing exotic species not classified as "dangerous animals."
Indiana	Legal	Indiana does not specifically forbid having any animals as pets
Iowa	Legal	Iowa's exotic animal laws are clear-cut: possession, ownership, or breeding of any dangerous wild animal without a permit obtained by 2007 is prohibited, which includes non-domestic cats and dogs, bears, primates, elephants, rhinos, many reptiles, and other specified animals.
Kansas	Legal	Kansas state law prohibits the possession of dangerous regulated animals, including large cats, bears, non-native venomous snakes, and hybrids of these species.
Mississippi	Legal	Laws generally limit the import and export of animals. Possession is generally allowed unless specifically prohibited, with permits required for dangerous animals.
Missouri	Legal	Out-of-state animals such as bison, certain reptiles, mammals, and Asian clams may be possessed without requiring any documentation.
North Carolina	Legal	Possession of dangerous animals is regulated by cities and counties
Oklahoma	Legal	Animals over 50 pounds and bears are prohibited, while various venomous reptiles require permits.
South Carolina	Legal	In South Carolina, it's illegal to possess wolves or coyotes, as well as indigenous wildlife without a permit, including certain animal families like Cervidae, Suidae, Tayassuidae, and Bovidae, but laws don't specifically govern non-domesticated felines, primates, reptiles, and other wildlife not mentioned.
Texas	Legal	In Texas, if an animal isn't banned or necessitates a permit, it can be kept as a pet, though there's a ban on wolves, bats, diamondback terrapins, indigenous birds, and permits are required for dangerous exotic animals.
Washington	Legal	Sables are not explicitly listed among prohibited exotic pets in Washington, suggesting that they may be allowed, but it's advisable to verify with local authorities for precise confirmation.
Alabama	Illegal	Residents of Alabama who did not secure a permit before January 13th, 2021, are prohibited from owning most non-native wildlife.
Alaska	Illegal	Alaska residents are forbidden from possessing, selling, importing, or exporting any species of bird, mammal, or reptile found or introduced in the state, with the exception of domestic birds and mammals.
Arizona	Illegal	The state prohibits several exotic wildlife species, such as bears, weasels, skunks, raccoons, and foxes, some of which belong to the Mustelidae family. Given the stringent regulations on exotic animals, it's reasonable to assume that sables are also illegal in this state.
California	Illegal	The Mustelidae family is classified as a restricted species in California, as per California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Section 671.
Colorado	Illegal	Nongame species and subspecies, including threatened or endangered wildlife, are protected in Colorado, with their harassment, taking, or possession prohibited.
Hawaii	Illegal	In Hawaii, the majority of exotic animals are banned, including bears, large cats, wild canines, hybrids of wild cats and dogs, kangaroos, wild cattle and deer, birds of prey, alligators, geckos, most lizards, hedgehogs, gerbils, hamsters, and ferrets.
Maine	Illegal	Maine's exotic pet law prohibits keeping wildlife in captivity and bans importing, breeding, or releasing wildlife into the wild.
Massachusetts	Illegal	In Massachusetts, it's prohibited to possess as a "pet" any wild bird, mammal, fish, reptile, or amphibian unless owned prior to June 30, 1995, defined as any undomesticated animal not hybridized with a domestic form and not listed under exemptions.
New Jersey	Illegal	Individuals are prohibited from possessing potentially dangerous species as pets, including primates; Carnivora (non-domestic dogs and cats, bears); Saura (venomous gila monsters); Serpentes (venomous coral snakes, cobras, vipers, pit vipers); Crocodilia (alligators, crocodiles, gavials); Psittaciformes (ring-necked and monk parakeets); and Rodentia (prairie dogs, ground squirrels).
New Mexico	Illegal	New Mexico does not specifically list any exotic animals that can be kept as pets
New York	Illegal	In the state of New York, possession of any wild animals is prohibited, among other restrictions.
Rhode Island	Illegal	Rhode Island specifically prohibits certain animals from being kept as pets, including wild carnivores and hybrids lacking a USDA-licensed rabies vaccine, among others.
South Dakota	Illegal	Raccoon dogs and free-roaming wildlife may not be kept as pets
Utah	Illegal	Certain families of animals are prohibited in Utah, including but not limited to Ursidae (bears), Canidae (all species), Felidae (all species except non-domesticated cats), Mustelidae (all species), non-human primates, and certain reptile species.

Due to the relatively uncommon nature of sables, they may not always be explicitly listed in state regulations regarding exotic pets.
Moreover, laws regarding wild animals kept as pets may change with little notice.
Finally, even in states in which opossums are legal at the state level to keep as pets, additional regulations may exist at the county, municipal, or local levels.
In light of these uncertainties, prospective sable parents are encouraged to confirm legality with local authorities before adopting.

Sables, also known as Martes zibellina, are small carnivorous mammals native to forests in Siberia, Russia, and parts of Asia. These creatures, prized for their luxurious fur, have long been hunted for commercial purposes. However, in recent years, sables have gained attention as potential pets in certain regions, sparking discussions about their legality and suitability as companion animals.

Despite their relatively small size, sables possess a striking appearance with dense, glossy fur ranging in color from dark brown to black. Their playful and curious nature, combined with their adaptability to various environments, makes them an attractive choice for pet enthusiasts. Additionally, sables are known for their intelligence and agility, characteristics that contribute to their appeal as exotic pets.

However, the debate over sable ownership revolves around concerns regarding their welfare and the impact of domestication on wild populations. While some states permit sable ownership with special permits, others have deemed it illegal due to fears of potential harm to both the animals and their native habitats. Proponents argue that responsible ownership can provide enrichment and companionship for sables while supporting conservation efforts. Conversely, opponents raise concerns about the ethical implications of keeping wild animals as pets and the challenges of meeting their complex needs in captivity.

Sable Pet Legal States 2025

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