Hedgehogs are not legal to own as pets in Georgia. You are only allowed to own a hedgehog if you are a licensed breeder. The reason that you are not allowed to own only one hedgehog in certain states is because they can threaten local ecosystems by competing with native species for habitat and food, and they can also carry diseases and bacteria such as salmonella. An escaped hedgehog would not be much more of a threat to its surrounding than certain rodents, such as mice. Hedgehogs carry salmonella germs in their droppings. People can get sick after they touch hedgehogs or anything in their habitats, but if you properly sanitize your hands after handling them, the disease will not be able to spread. "Thirty-two people in 17 states have been infected with the Salmonella Typhimurium strain, and 16 of 23 ill people reported contact with a hedgehog"- the CDC website. The number of cases of salmonella infections from hedgehogs are very low. In the U.S. 3 out of 10 people are allergic to cats and dogs. Hedgehogs are hypoallergenic, good for anyone who is allergic to other pets. Hedgehogs are among the cutest of pets, and should be allowed in Georgia.