Allow Hedgehogs in Pennsylvania

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    The Pennsylvania Game Commission, Governor Edward G. Rendell, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and Pennsylvania State Senate
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It has been said that no other exotic animal has caught the attention of the public quite like the pet hedgehog has. Their spines, friendly and curious nature, as well as that ever-smiling expression have endeared them to millions of confessed hedgehog lovers around the globe.

Besides having a peaceful and humorous nature, hedgehogs readily lend themselves to just about anyone's lifestyle and schedule. Being diurnal (awake parts of both day and night) just like house cats, nearly everyone can find a time of day in which to enjoy them. They do not require a great deal of room in which to live and their dietary requirements are very easy to meet and, since they are solitary animals by nature they neither require nor want the companionship of another animal. Despite their solitary nature, they can become very affectionate with their owners and will even enjoying watching TV with you or just snuggling in your lap. Additionally, hedgehogs are very quiet, and unlike hamsters, Guinea Pigs and other small rodents, pet hedgehogs do not give off any appreciable odor and they are easily litter trained. Add to this the fact that they require no immunization shots and are very disease resistant and you can see why so many people consider hedgehogs to be the perfect pet.

There are only 5 states in this country wherein hedgehogs are illegal. They are neither poisonous nor harmful in any way to the population and there appears to be no reason for the prohibition of this average house pet. However, an email from the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) revealed about hedgehogs, We do not issue permits, and they are not legal to import into Pennsylvania [6/4/08, 7:51am, pgccomments@state.pa.us]. However, PA Code 16.1. is quite vague as it defines a domestic animal as an equine animal, bovine animal, sheep, goat, pig, dog or cat and a wild animal as an animal other than a domestic animal [http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/007/chapter16/s16.1.html]. According to this definition, animals such as hamsters, chinchillas, ferrets, hermit crabs, and goldfish could also be considered illegal. While hedgehogs were domesticated relatively recently, they have not been imported into the United States from Africa since 1991, nor are they brought in from the wild, so all hedgehogs currently residing in this country have been bred and born in captivity [www.exoticpetvet.com/caresheets/CareOfAfricanPygmyHedgehog.doc].

Therefore, we implore you to legalize the sale and ownership of hedgehogs in the state of Pennsylvania.

Thank you for your time.

1323 Signatures

  • Ashley Dowler
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Abby Bedford
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Christina Morgart
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Andrew C
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • Hedgehogs are flippin' sweet.
  • Alaster Johnson
  • Brittani Acord
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • James
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • Death to all tyrants!
  • Anna Denton
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Jeremy Watson
  • Rebekah Gibb
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Jonathan Yoder
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Erin
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • В
  • Ashley S
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • former resident
  • Allison Weigand
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Julia Potts
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Chris McNeal
  • Brittany Kemp
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • ashley dowler
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • wow i cant belive that i love animals
  • Adam Smith
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • joshua dowler
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Danny McNeal
  • Kimberly Zoldak
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • В
  • Joe Davis
  • Katie Slatton
  • Rachael
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Claire Austelle
  • Matt Milner
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Rachel Williams
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • Hedgehogs are natural, wonderful animals and common pets. I dont see why they should be illegal.
  • Maggie Hlasta
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Simi Boutselis
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Jamie Henry
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Samantha Berg
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • Hedgehogs should be legal everywhere. They make great pets.
  • Susana Lezcano
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Katie Harris
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Katie Fry
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Valerie
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Celia Zeinert
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • I own a pet hedgehog, and she is a wonderful pet.
  • Brian Dowler
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • We love hedgies!
  • Jennifer Lowe
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Landon Caouette
  • Anna Cline
  • Melissa Martinez
  • Angela Wollman
  • Stephanie Dargusch
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • Hedgehogs pose no health risks and can safely be kept as pets. The majority of US states allow hedgehogs to be kept as pets.
  • Melissa Young
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Jake Hodges
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • Everyone loves Hedgehogs! Help spread the love!
  • Kelly Tocket
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • isabelle
    • Resident of PA
    • No
  • Rachal Blake
    • Resident of PA
    • No
    • Comments
    • В
  • Jorge Sandoval
    • Resident of PA
    • No