Hedgehogs, Chinchillas Approved To Be Pets In Fairfax County

Fairfax County residents can now choose from a wider selection of animals to keep as pets. The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to make chinchillas, hedgehogs and hermit crabs legal pets.

The decision followed years of debate on whether it was humane to have these animals as pets. Middle schoolers from across the county rallied in support of legalizing the pets, WTOP reported.

According to Fairfax County code, other commonly accepted pets include: "domesticated rabbits; hamsters; ferrets; gerbils; guinea pigs; pet mice and pet rats; turtles; fish; dogs; cats; domestic chickens, ducks and geese under two (2) months old; birds such as canaries, parakeets, doves and parrots; worm/ant farms; non-poisonous spiders; chameleons and similar lizards; and non-poisonous snakes."

See more from WTOP.

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