No, ferret ownership in Costa Rica is prohibited under the Reglamento de la Ley de Conservación de la Vida Silvestre (Decreto Ejecutivo No. 39800-MINAE) and Ley No. 7317, classifying ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) as invasive species. The Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía (MINAE) enforces strict biosecurity protocols, and the Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal (SENASA) aligns with CITES appendices, banning non-native carnivores. Recent 2026 draft amendments to Ley de Biodiversidad further criminalize possession without permits, with fines up to ₡10 million ($18,000 USD).
Key Regulations for Owning a Ferret in Costa Rica
- Absolute Ban: Ferrets are listed in Decreto Ejecutivo No. 39800-MINAE (2015) as prohibited species, alongside other mustelids, due to ecological risks.
- Permit Exemptions: Only research institutions with MINAE-SENASA approval may apply for restricted permits, subject to invasive species risk assessments.
- Enforcement: SENASA conducts inspections at borders and pet stores; illegal possession may trigger confiscation under Ley No. 7317 (Art. 54).