Hedgehogs In Pennsylvania (PLEASE READ!)

[dedqgirl]

Hi, I just joined and as much as I LOVE hedgehogs I don't have one. Why?

Because I live in Pennsylvania. They are completely illegal here. Why?

Because they're "not native". There are plenty of stories of breeders and even just owners having their homes raided and their hedgies confiscated and "destroyed". This is terrible, tragic, and makes

Comments

[missingiris]

We have that same issue in Calgary, Canada, only here it's no rats allowed. Which is also very sad.

[falnfenix]

unfortunately, online petitions don't do much. blow up the governor's phones, flood him with letters, fill his email inbox.

[dedqgirl]

Yea, I figured as much, but it couldn't hurt.

I sent an email. I'll most likely send a letter, too. Haven't thought of calling, but what's the chance that I'd get somebody on the phone that could actually do something about it?

[ahsavka]

I live (lived - moving around a bit, in VA at this moment) in PA, and man, the hedgehog thing kills me. I actually had a pair, didn't know it was illegal at the time, but then found out about raids ... but Annie and Candy lived out their lives peacefully with us.

It's idiotic to ban them in PA. Just plain stupid.

[dedqgirl]

It appears to be a simple matter of the definition of "wildlife"...

*shakes head*

The problem is that lots of pets fall in that gray area, but hedgehogs are getting the brunt of it. It's totally bogus.

[pal]

just wondering, what are the chances you'd get caught?

is this just a matter of not being able to buy one in PA because they're illegal?

[dedqgirl]

Well, hypothetically (I stress "hypothetically" because I would never ever break the law, no matter how stupid and ridiculous it is....)......

*looks around for the PGC*

Hypothetically I'm small beans, not a breeder or anything, and I don't blab my business around and I'm nowhere near the PGC's radar, so the chances of me getting caught are slim. Especially considering that probably no one I know even *knows* the hedgehogs are illegal.

If I did get caught I would get cited and, best case scenario, they'd require me to get it out of state and, worst case? They'd confiscate and "destroy" it. I could, purely theoretically go to Maryland and get one without a problem, or even Delaware, though I don't know the details there. But that's even more illegal, because the whole basis for the law is that it's illegal to import "wildlife" from out of state. But like I said... I'd never break the law.

*looks around and runs off, crying "ROAD TRIP!!"*

[hedgemom]

Having been through the the PA ringer with Connie, having been involved in the rescue of the PA hedgehogs and trying to keep them alive and safe, I can categorically state that it's not a simple matter of a fine. Without warning your animals can be confiscated and killed.

As long as you are breeding and ignoring the law, your animals at risk.

And no reputable breeder will sell to a resident of PA.

[dedqgirl]

Well, I have no intention of breeding. I appreciate your advice, and I'll seriously consider it.

Thanks :)