Bringing Small Mammals and Non-African Rodents into the United States

Unless they are included in a specific embargo, such as Civets and African Rodents, or known to carry disease transmissible to humans, these animals are not covered under CDC regulations.

However, state or local regulations may apply. Pet ferrets, for example, are prohibited in California. Any animal known to carry a disease that can be transmitted to people (zoonotic disease) is subject to regulation 42CFR71.54.

Additionally, animals carrying diseases of risk to domestic or wild animals are subject to regulations from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as they may be considered injurious species.