Can You Keep Squirrels as Pets in Michigan? What the Law Says

Few animals spark curiosity like squirrels. Their bushy tails, nimble movements, and bold antics in backyard trees make them fascinating to watch. If you’ve ever thought, “Wow, what if I could have one of those as a pet?”, you’re definitely not alone.

But before you chase that idea, especially in Michigan, it’s important to separate wishful thinking from real legal and practical reality. Wild animals and pet laws don’t always match up the way most people assume. In fact, the rules about owning squirrels in Michigan are complex enough to surprise even seasoned wildlife lovers.

This article walks through what Michigan law actually allows, how wildlife regulations work, the practical challenges of caring for a wild animal, and humane alternatives if you love squirrels but can’t legally make one a pet.

Michigan’s Wildlife and Pet Laws: The Big Picture

Are Squirrels Considered Wild Animals in Michigan?

In Michigan, squirrels—whether gray, red, or fox squirrels—are classified under wildlife laws as wild animals, even though you see them every day in parks and yards. Unlike dogs or cats, they’re not domesticated animals that humans have bred for companionship over generations.

That distinction matters because the law treats wild animals differently from traditional pets when it comes to ownership and management.

So Can You Legally Keep a Pet Squirrel in Michigan?

The short legal answer is yes, but with conditions—and only if you follow specific permitting rules. Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources offers something called a Captive Game Permit, which can authorize possession of certain wild animals that have been reared in captivity, including squirrels.

However, this doesn’t mean you can freely pick up a baby squirrel from your yard and take it home. The permit rules are strict:

• The animal must be captive-bred or legally acquired, not taken from the wild without authorization.

• You must meet legal requirements for care, housing, and documentation.

• A permit from the DNR is required before you have the animal.

• Animals captured from the wild cannot be held unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

In other words: solely wanting a squirrel as a pet is not, by itself, enough to be legal.

This differs from many people’s assumptions. Online forums from Michigan residents confirm that squirrels are technically illegal to keep without permits, and that many people who have done it informally are actually breaking wildlife law.

Why the Rules Are Strict

Wild vs. Domestic: It’s Not Just Semantics

Domesticated pets like dogs and cats are animals that have been selectively bred over thousands of years to live with humans. They thrive in homes and in close company with people.

Wild animals—including squirrels—are fundamentally different. Their instincts, dietary requirements, social behavior, and stress responses are shaped by survival in nature. Confined to a home, these instincts don’t disappear. That’s one reason the law treats them differently: to protect both wildlife populations and people.

State wildlife departments take this seriously. In Michigan, only licensed rehabilitators are allowed to possess injured or orphaned wildlife from the wild, and even then only temporarily until release.

If someone without that training and license attempts to keep wildlife, they’re violating the law—even if their intentions are good.

What a Captive Game Permit Really Means

Who Can Get One and What It Allows

A Captive Game Permit in Michigan is issued by the Department of Natural Resources and allows you to hold certain wildlife that were already reared in captivity (not taken from the wild). Squirrels can fall under that category, but only with proper documentation and approval beforehand.

This means:

• You must apply to Michigan DNR before getting the animal.

• The animal must come from a legal, captive source.

• You must provide records showing legal acquisition.

• You must meet housing, care, and safety requirements.

Importantly, this permit doesn’t mean squirrels become pets like cats or dogs. It’s a regulatory tool that allows possession under defined conditions—often for education, research, or special captive situations—not casual companionship.

And if a squirrel was ever taken from the wild without authorization, you cannot simply apply for a permit afterward; wildlife captured from the wild remains illegal to hold unless you are a licensed rehabilitator.

Potentials and Limitations

Even with a permit:

• You may be restricted in how the animal can be handled.

• You may need to meet specific enclosure standards. (In some captive game rules, for example, cages for squirrels must meet defined dimensions and include enrichment like climbing structures.

• You are responsible for the animal’s full legal and ethical care.

Also, Michigan law makes clear that these permits do not authorize possession of animals taken from the wild unless you have wildlife rehabilitator credentials.

So, if someone says “yes, you can have a squirrel in Michigan,” the important follow-up question is always: Under what legal conditions and permits?

Taking a Baby Squirrel From the Wild: Not Legal

It’s an idea many people consider when they see an orphaned or abandoned baby squirrel in their yard: “I’ll raise it until it’s bigger and then release it.”

But in Michigan, the law is pretty clear: you cannot hold or care for a wild squirrel from the wild unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

City natural resource FAQs and wildlife ordinances emphasize that possessing or moving live wild animals is illegal without a license. That includes rescue, unless done by someone trained and permitted to do so.

So even the act of feeding or housing a baby squirrel temporarily may put you on the wrong side of the law if you aren’t licensed.

Practical Challenges of Keeping a Squirrel

Let’s say you did manage to meet the legal conditions — should you want to keep a squirrel anyway? Here’s why many experts recommend caution:

Specialized Diet & Nutrition

Squirrels have complex dietary needs. They require a mix of nuts, fruits, seeds, and sometimes insects or fungi depending on species and age. Getting this balanced at home is far more complex than feeding a dog or cat.

Behavior and Stress

Wild animals are wired to forage, climb, explore, and interact with their environment. Confinement—especially in a home setting—can lead to stress, aggression, and physical health problems.

Without proper environmental enrichment (trees, branches, room to roam), a squirrel’s quality of life can decrease quickly.

Veterinary Care

Most veterinarians are trained to treat common domestic pets. Exotic animal vets who specialize in wildlife like squirrels are rare and expensive. Routine care can be a real challenge.

Handling Risks

Wild animals—even those hand-raised—can carry parasites, ticks, and diseases. They can also bite or scratch when stressed, which brings another level of liability.

Alternatives if You Love Squirrels

Observe and Appreciate in Nature

Keep a backyard feeding station or squirrel-friendly habitat. Provide nuts, seeds, and fruit in humane ways that don’t encourage dependency. Enjoy watching squirrels thrive in their natural environment.

Support Wildlife Rehabilitators

If your motivation is helping animals, consider volunteering with or donating to licensed wildlife rehabilitators. They have the training and legal authority to care for injured or orphaned wildlife and prepare them for release.

Consider Legal Captive-Bred Species

Some people interested in unusual mammals choose species that are legally bred in captivity and allowed as pets under state law. Always check before you adopt.

FAQs about Pet Squirrels in Michigan

Can I just take a baby squirrel home from my yard?

No. Unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, it is illegal to possess or care for a live wild animal you found, even temporarily.

Do I need a permit to keep a squirrel in Michigan?

Yes. A Captive Game Permit from Michigan DNR is required before you legally possess a squirrel that was reared in captivity.

Can I buy a captive-bred squirrel?

Potentially, but only if you have the proper permit from Michigan. You cannot legally take wild-caught squirrels.

Is it cruel to keep a squirrel as a pet?

Many experts say yes, unless very specific environmental and care standards are met. Wild animals have instincts and needs that homes can’t satisfy easily.

Are squirrels classified as nuisance animals?

Yes, squirrels can be considered nuisance wildlife in Michigan when they invade homes or cause damage, and there are humane wildlife control rules for that.

What about rescued squirrels?

Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators can hold injured or orphaned squirrels for treatment and eventual release.

Can local cities ban pets even with state permits?

Yes. Local ordinances may impose additional restrictions, so check with your city or county as well.

Are flying squirrels treated differently?

Flying squirrels are sometimes regulated differently, but you still need permits and legal sources; state law doesn’t generally treat them as free “pets.”

Conclusion

So what’s the bottom line?

Yes — it is possible to legally have a squirrel in Michigan under very specific conditions. That possibility comes only with a proper Captive Game Permit and only for animals legally bred in captivity.

But you cannot legally take a wild squirrel home, care for it, or keep it as a pet unless you’re a licensed wildlife rehabilitator with authority to handle wild animals.

And even when it is legal, keeping a squirrel is nothing like owning a dog or cat. The practical challenges—diet, care, behavior, stress, and veterinary needs—make it unsuitable for most families.

If you truly love these agile bushy-tailed creatures, the best choice might be to observe and support them in nature, or to assist licensed rehabilitators who can give them a second chance without breaking the law.

Understanding your rights and responsibilities means you can channel your passion for wildlife in ways that are ethical, legal, and good for the animals themselves.