. However, for many animal activists out there this isnt accepted well. Furthermore, raccoons are intelligent enough to adapt quickly to urban areas, which allows them easy access to food sources like garbage cans and pet food dishes left outside. Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the authors opinions and recommendations alone. 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. are just a text, call, or tap away in the app! Members save $872/year. And if you have questions about insurance options for your furry, feathered, or scaly companion, Jerrys friendly, experienced team of agents. You must keep all raccoons in an approved enclosure, compliant with West Virginia Wildlife Code. How do I find out? Local ordinances are usually more restrictive than state laws. Be prepared to invest a lot of time and money in raccoon care. If a provider discovers you own a pet they consider dangerous and you havent informed them of it, they could deem the animal too much of a risk and, Final tip: by using the Jerry app, you could, on your search for pet-friendly home insurance. Beaver Teeth: Their Color, Strength, Sharpness, And More! Raccoons are considered exotic animals in Wyoming, and they require a permit for private ownership. Raccoons are abundant in the state. How to find car and home insurance quotes online, Finding the right policy as a pet owner can get complicated, but here are some pointers from. Raccoons are viewed to be a nuisance and a destructive force to homeowners as well as landowners. On the other hand, the possession of other forms of wildlife such as foxes is strictly prohibited. Arkansas 2. So anything that might injure them or become damaged must be removed from their area. Raccoons are affectionate, and they love to cuddle. It is unlawful for anyone to shelter, breed, or raise raccoons without a permit. Many people build their own pen from wood and screening. Pennsylvania is one of the few states that allow its residents to own a pet raccoon, and other kinds of exotic animals, under the condition that one obtains a permit. No, you can't own a pet raccoon in the state of Wisconsin. Based on the leadership principles of George Washington, we provide citizens, voters, and elected officials with the information, insights, and tools that amplify democracy in the modern age. Characteristics, Housing, Diet, and Other Information. 14 states allow raccoons as pet. Stay up to date on the latest news and events. The unmistakable raccoon is abundant and widespread throughout the state, yet, it is illegal to own a pet raccoon. And, in North Carolina, a veterinarian must "approve" the animal before it's brought into the state. That means your home must be raccoon-proofed. Most adult raccoons need two meals per day in the early morning and late evening, though follow your vet's advice on this. They are mostly active at night and rely on their keen senses of smell and hearing to detect potential meals. Many wild and exotic animals just arent meant to live in captivity, while others require highly specialized care. These animals require a lot of space, upkeep, and supervision. Although the number of raccoons has drastically increased since the beginning of the 20th century, it is illegal to keep a pet raccoon in this state. And many do become quite cuddly or playful at times. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. If you decide to own a pet raccoon, you cannot breed them while in . The raccoon must be euthanized or released within the county of capture on private property in which you have permission to release the raccoon. Experts recommend spending time around raccoons via wildlife rehabilitation or exotic veterinary practices to see what they're really like. An exotic veterinarian who knows raccoons might be able to point you toward a good breeder. To put it simply: yes, foxes are legal in Pennsylvania, butu2026 Note: In order to get a permit, you must have at least two years of experience with foxes (other exotics will not count), a letter from someone who already has a permit that will confirm your experience, and an enclosure built to the PGC's specifications. Adoption opportunities are usually few and far between for raccoons unless you are part of a wildlife rehabilitation network. Raccoons are illegal in the majority of states not only for the unethicalness of possessing an exotic animal, but for the wellbeing of the public. They allow raccoons, with the exception that owners obtain a permit. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Although pet raccoons are illegal in Montana, these wild animals are native to the region and can be found everywhere in the state. Indeed, raccoon hunting is widely popular in the region and there are many raccoon hunter clubs and competitions being held yearly. Virginias animal ownership laws might not be the most lax, but theyre also not as strict as certain states like, So, what kinds of pets are illegal in Virginia, and what happens if you own one without a permit? It is illegal to keep raccoons as pets in Alabama. Adhere to any guidelines that make owning a raccoon legal in your state. Fair Punishment1001 SW Emkay Drive #100Bend OR 97702. They are wild animals and therefore unpredictable, and should never be left alone with a child or anyone else who is not experienced with handling them. Before thinking about owning a raccoon, it is important to do your thorough research into which states allow this. Sixteen states allow you to own a raccoon legally. 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. As well as this, you have to recognize that raccoons are one of the largest spreaders of disease, most commonly rabies. Is it legal to keep a raccoon as a pet in Ohio? In the states where owning a pet raccoon is legal, those looking for a pet raccoon should look additional regulations for owning a raccoon. They like to dunk their food in their water dish prior to consuming it. , read on to find out the answers to these questions and moreplus, how to easily find pet-friendly home insurance. 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. If these techniques do not solve the problem, you can contact a licensed trapper or a critter removal service which you can find in your local phone directory. Raccoons are intelligent animals, known for their good memories and problem-solving abilities. Their cute appearances and cuddly personalities make them seem like the perfect pet. Keep trash inside until the morning of trash pick-up or place trash in an animal proof container, such as a metal trashcan with latches on the lids. In. If you are caught with a raccoon as a pet, you can face serious fines. 1. She recently received her MFA in creative writing (nonfiction) from Columbia University and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. But it's also ideal to take some of it to put in food puzzles or hide around their enclosure as a form of enrichment. 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. They are protected by law. But they can also be playful and fun to be around. For instance, you can feed them cat food as a portion of supplemental food. Failure to attain a permit can lead to a fine as well as the removal of your animal. Not all states condone the upbringing of exotic animals. Plus, as nocturnal animals, their antics will likely keep you up at night. Despite all of the risks and safety protocols, however, still 14 states allow raccoons to be kept as pets, so long as: Although there are some that allow the ownership of a raccoon, the majority of the states deem this illegal. You may legally own a raccoon as a pet in several states across America. They are agile, and they love to play with humans. Despite their common presence, Virginia laws strictly prohibit its residents from keeping pet raccoons or trying to raise them without a rehabilitation permit. These animals can range from rats (hence the phrase lab rats) to monkeys. The state requires a vet evaluation and a rabies pre-exposure immunization. Freshwater Mussels. Lianne McLeod, DVM, is a small animal and exotic pet expert with over a decade of experience writing about veterinary care. Wild and Exotic Animal Laws by U.S. State, Find cities with a similar climate (2050). Riding or sitting on your shoulder is one of the most enjoyable things this animal does to show its affection. The laws are all dependent on the area you are living and the values that state holds. One state that does allow pet raccoons is Wyoming. Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and plants. There are no permits or licenses that make owning pet raccoons in Australia legal. No long forms. Answer: Absolutely not. It is illegal to own raccoons in the United Kingdom. Make sure that you are keeping it in a safe and enclosed area, large enough for it to have a lot of roaming space and filled with things for it to climb on and stay active. They are often causing a lot of issues such as chewing wires, damaging attic vents, or overturning waste containers. Forgetting to plan for medical emergencies can also cost you money in the long run. People in Russia are beginning to domesticate raccoons because of their affection and intelligence. Raccoons can easily introduce new diseases to the environments they are not from. Courtesy of. Interested parties must apply for licenses from the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, who will observe your competency and capabilities of caring for wildlife. Along with Delaware, Texas, and Arkansas, the state of Florida authorizes its citizens to keep pet raccoons. It's legal to own a pet raccoon in the following states: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. , so theyre outlawed in Virginia unless you have the proper permit. In any case, they must be released into the same county they were found. This is important so that your raccoon can stay comfortable and is in an environment appropriate to its species. Majestic as they might be, wolves arent domesticated to the degree that your German Shepherd is. The little creatures have adapted well to Oregons urban and suburban environments where it is forbidden to own a pet raccoon. These permits withhold all types of animal ownership, including scientific, for circuses, education, selling, and more. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Is it legal to own a pet raccoon in Michigan? In addition to possible disease transmission, pet raccoons can also be disruptive to local ecosystems, taking food away from native wildlife and adversely impacting the balance of nature. and you dont want to face hefty legal consequences as a result. The Secret Life of Red Foxes: How They Fight and Protect Their Families. Pet raccoons are illegal in Maine because they can carry parasites and rabies, and may cause many problems when it is in close proximity to humans. We would also suggest calling your home insurer, to see if they will cover damage from a pet raccoon. Native to Texas, the animal is abundant in the area and the state allows Texans to possess a pet raccoon under the condition of receiving an appropriate permit from the Department of Fish and Game. Is It True That Raccoons Are Common As Pets In Russia? You cannot legally own a raccoon as a pet in Canada. Raccoons are best known for their furry grey bodies and black mask-like features around their eyes. Idaho belongs to the top five states that have the highest pet ownership rates but do not allow pet raccoons despite the fact that raccoons are native to the region and found all over the state. Question: Can you own a raccoon in California? Yet, it is by far the most important furbearer in terms of total pelt value and number harvested in the state. So, there are plenty of animals you cant keep as pets in Virginia. The state laid out advice to prevent these conflicts such as keeping pet food indoors, or fastening garbage can slides with rubber straps. The most important thing to acknowledge when owning a raccoon is to remember that its home is the wild.