I had one when I was little.

And I live in California.

I never knew it was illegal.

Am I going to jail?

No. Some 11 year old kid convinced the myaor to allow them.

True story.

From here:

§2118. Unlawful To Import, Etc. Specified Animals;

Exceptions

It is unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release alive

into this state, except under a revocable, nontransferable permit

as provided in this chapter and the regulations pertaining

thereto, any wild animal of the following species:

[...]

(b) Class Mammalia (mammals):

[...]

Order Insectivora (shrews, moles, hedgehogs, etc.) All species.

§2151. Permit to Import or Transport; Required Contents

A permit shall be issued only upon written application

from the person desiring to import or transport the species,

enumerating all of the following:

(a) The approximate number and true scientific name of

each species of wild animal for which a permit is requested.

(b) The carrier and probable point of first arrival in this

State of each shipment of such species.

© The purpose for which they are to be imported or

transported.

(d) The name and address of the consignee.

(e) The name and address of the consignor.

EDIT: See also §2150 for more on applying for a permit.

Pretty harsh bureaucracy just to keep a li'l hedgie in your home. In my country, we are allowed to have them, and I'm not aware that there's any permit involved. The only restriction is that we can't have an Erinaceus europaeus, the domestic wild species, because it's protected. Imported hedgies are OK, though. Too bad for you in California. If you decide to apply for the permit, then I wish you luck.

<o> <o>

From here:

 

§2118. Unlawful To Import, Etc. Specified Animals;

Exceptions

It is unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release alive

into this state, except under a revocable, nontransferable permit

as provided in this chapter and the regulations pertaining

thereto, any wild animal of the following species:

[...]

(B) Class Mammalia (mammals):

[...]

Order Insectivora (shrews, moles, hedgehogs, etc.) All species.

§2151. Permit to Import or Transport; Required Contents

A permit shall be issued only upon written application

from the person desiring to import or transport the species,

enumerating all of the following:

(a) The approximate number and true scientific name of

each species of wild animal for which a permit is requested.

(B) The carrier and probable point of first arrival in this

State of each shipment of such species.

© The purpose for which they are to be imported or

transported.

(d) The name and address of the consignee.

(e) The name and address of the consignor.

EDIT: See also §2150 for more on applying for a permit.

 

Pretty harsh bureaucracy just to keep a li'l hedgie in your home. In my country, we are allowed to have them, and I'm not aware that there's any permit involved. The only restriction is that we can't have an Erinaceus europaeus, the domestic wild species, because it's protected. Imported hedgies are OK, though. Too bad for you in California. If you decide to apply for the permit, then I wish you luck.

 

<o> <o>

Oh, I was unaware of any legality at all, I'll have to look into this. Thanks a ton B) .