Raccoons can be very amusing and playful pets. They can be as playful as a puppy, but they can also be unpredictable. Until July 1 of this year, it was illegal in Virginia to kill raccoons on Sunday except between the hours of midnight and 2 AM, a window presumably intended to allow some leeway for those late-Saturday-night raccoon hunts to finish up). While Rhode Islanders do not need a permit to own a llama, alpaca, or domestic yak, they do need one to adopt a pet raccoon. Can I Own A Raccoon In Ohio? - CLJ One interesting fact about these animals is that they can remember how to solve complex problems for months at a time. According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, you do not require a license to own up to six raccoons in captivity. Youll have to surround yourself with laughter in other ways. Should You Keep a Raccoon as a Pet? - The Spruce Pets These permits include a Rehabilitation Permit, Permit to Hold Game in Captivity, or a Scientific Research Permit. Furthermore, while they may be legal to have in certain states they may not be legal to bring across state lines due to the risk of carrying certain diseases or parasites which could potentially infect other wildlife or domesticated animals. Legislation that went into effect in October 2020 also makes it illegal to own or breed any bird, mammal, reptile, or amphibianlisted under the federal Lacey Act. They are mostly active at night and rely on their keen senses of smell and hearing to detect potential meals. Brought from Mississippi to be served for the 1926 Thanksgiving dinner, she was saved and kept as a pet by former US president Calvin Coolidge and his wife Grace. If a person wishes to possess other animals not originally from the state and not listed above then the person must show upon request verification that the animal was legally acquired in the previous state. This is the reason why Iowas legislation bans owning, possessing, breeding, and importing raccoons. Raccoons are protected in the state of Minnesota, it is therefore illegal to possess a pet raccoon. In parallel, the Department of Natural Resources monitors the number of raccoons to make sure that hunting activities do not impact the raccoon population negatively. That means it takes a lot of effort to care for them. Sixteen states allow you to own a raccoon legally. Depending on the species, it could harm other people or animalsor it could establish itself as an invasive species in the local environment and create problems for local wildlife and agriculture. And many do become quite cuddly or playful at times. They are classified as game species and furbearers and can be hunted during the hunting and trapping seasons. For example, in South Dakota, although bears are allowed to be kept on private property in your home, pigs are prohibited. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. It is illegal to own raccoons in the United Kingdom. Indeed, raccoons are responsible for 60% of the cases of rabies in the state of Maryland. Is owning a raccoon illegal in Texas? - Wise-Answer This, in turn, leads to some controversy. You do not need to apply or have a permit to own a raccoon in West Virginia. States That Have Banned Critical Race Theory, States Where It Is Illegal to Collect Rainwater. Is it legal to own a pet raccoon in Michigan? But this also means that dealing with the issues caused by these wild animals presents some challenges. This is only one example of the many diseases they have. It is important to know the traits of the raccoon to understand what you are getting yourself into as an owner. Before thinking about owning a raccoon, it is important to do your thorough research into which states allow this. They can be dangerous, vicious, they can bite. Find cities with a similar climate (2050) How much does it cost to add another driver to my car insurance? and can be dangerous to people and other animals, including livestock, so theyre illegal to keep as pets without a permit. She recently received her MFA in creative writing (nonfiction) from Columbia University and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. What happens if you have an illegal pet in Virginia? If you live in Alabama and did not obtain a permit before January 13th, 2021, you are not allowed to own a variety of exotic animals including Giant African Land Snails, most non-native wildlife like bobcats, black bears, foxes, and raccoons, and venomous reptiles. You must have a special permit to own raccoons in Rhode Island, like all other exotic animals. With the possession of a raccoon, the law changes and this is because they are considered exotic animals. While they are commonly found throughout North America, raccoons also inhabit parts of Central and South America. How to deal with problem Raccoon in West Virginia They are agile, and they love to play with humans. Where Can I Buy or Adopt a Pet Raccoon? - Floofmania However, raccoons should not be confused with the Maine Coon, a large domesticated cat breed native to the state of Maine. So the majority of a pet raccoon's time should be spent roaming your house: playing, climbing on things, exploring, and being mischievous. Prior to acquiring a raccoon as a pet, contact exotic veterinarians in your area to find one who specializes in this animal and is willing to take one on as a patient. While owning a pet raccoon is unlawful, it is possible to hunt them. When Rashida Banks renovated the small rear patio of her Washington, D.C., home, she wanted to include a space where her pit bulls, Jax and Chase, could "do their business." "We, of course, walk . Owning a raccoon is not completely practical and with animals made for the wild it is in the state's best interest to keep it that way. While we already dealt with the US states where its legal to own raccoons, how about other countries around the world? I share a car with my friend/roommate. For instance in Michigan, you can keep a raccoon as a pet as long as it meets two qualifications: the ownership of the raccoon has to be approved by a veterinarian, and the owner has to have a wild animal permit. Due to the animals proximity to the population and its capacity to adapt easily and quickly to urban areas, in certain jurisdictions like Arizona, raccoons are considered to be a public nuisance and a destructive force to homes and landowners. There are a few things that you should consider before adopting a pet raccoon. The little creatures have adapted well to Oregons urban and suburban environments where it is forbidden to own a pet raccoon. Delaware is one of the few states that allow its inhabitants to have a pet raccoon. Today, it is illegal to keep any wild animals as pets in the District of Columbia. Members save $872/year. Raccoons enjoy exploring their surroundings, so it is important to provide them with somewhere spacious. As well as this, you have to recognize that raccoons are one of the largest spreaders of disease, most commonly rabies. It may seem like a strange idea to some but there are many people out there who either want to own or already own a raccoon. Raccoon - Maryland Department of Natural Resources It goes without saying, but. Today, raccoons offer important recreational and economic opportunities to Wisconsinites. But it's still very important to take your pet for regular vet visits. The breeder also should give you thorough information on the animal's origin and health history. Raccoons are generally very clean animals and will groom themselves much like cats do. There is no limit to the number of exotic or wild animals you can possess in Florida. It is legal to own a raccoon in the following states: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Permits are awarded by a judge based on previous history and good faith. Majestic as they might be, wolves arent domesticated to the degree that your German Shepherd is. Owning a raccoon is not completely practical and with animals made for the wild it is in the states best interest to keep it that way. If you are caught with a raccoon as a pet, you can face serious fines. Forgetting to plan for medical emergencies can also cost you money in the long run. Yet, unlike foxes, it is illegal to keep a pet raccoon in the state. Lions, tigers, bearsdont own any of them without a permit in Virginia. They are often causing a lot of issues such as chewing wires, damaging attic vents, or overturning waste containers. Read our. An exotic animal is defined as an animal which is extremely rare to be kept as a pet, most commonly thought of as a wild species above an indoor house pet. Raccoons are not easy to tame. They can be fascinating to watch, but their enterprising nature and extremely varied diet can bring them in conflict with humans when they raid trash cans, dumpsters, gardens, and/or outdoor pet food. Pet Raccoon Legal States 2023 - Wisevoter Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. Because they are living so close to Oregonians, conflicts may appear. the animal is in the position to harm another animalthat permit can be suspended. Ideally, they should be allowed to move freely around your living area and provided with branches, shelves, and other items to climb for exercise. Not native to this island, pet raccoons are prohibited. These animals have a mischievous appearance, often sporting a bandit-like mask over their eyes. Raccoons can become relatively tame around people, but they'll never become fully domesticated. This isnt only important for the sake of the animals wellbeing, but for the safety of the public. When a state makes owning certain animals as pets illegal, it's usually for the well-being of people, other . However, they also are generally quick to biteeven their favorite peoplewhen something annoys or scares them. 2023 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. All organizations that accept animals must hold a Permit to Hold Game in Captivity, allowing them to rehabilitate the animal and return them safely to the wild. was wonderful! How do I add someone to my car insurance policy? Nebraska has partial bans on most exotic animals. In any case, they must be released into the same county they were found. If you want to own pets that are native to your state, pack your bags and move to Arkansas where you can own native animals such as bobcats, foxes, raccoons, and coyotes.