Raccoons are adaptable animals, thriving in urban and wilderness areas alike; in fact, there is a particularly large population of them in California's Orange Country. The state of California specifically forbids the ownership of wild animals, including raccoons. Even if you’re dying to have a marmoset on your shoulder in the U.S., we heavily advise against it. Rabid raccoons may behave aggressively, salivate heavily, or have paralyzed hind legs. The California Fish and Game Code makes it a misdemeanor to keep as a pet any animal that is endangered or which the department considers a threat to public health and safety or to native fish, wildlife, or agriculture. If you have trapped a raccoon or a red fox squirrel, for whatever reason, the law is very clear about what you can do next. Find Raccoon Animals on www.petzlover.com. Melissa A Smith. Laws and permit requirements change, so check your state's regulations before acquiring a raccoon. Was landlord correct in killing rampaging raccoon? Melissa cares for a variety of exotic animals and has completed a certificate in veterinary assisting and a bachelor's degree in biology. Raccoon Rabies. For example, in Maryland, people who owned a raccoon prior to Might 31, 2006, had been permitted to keep them if the owners notified local animal control that they owned the animals. Contact Author. This article should not be used as a source to determine what pet is legal in your state. Updated on May 30, 2019. Read 2 Answers from lawyers to Could I have a Raccoon or Red Panda as a pet in Oregon state? Rabies can be transmitted to humans and other animals by the bite of an infected animal. Even if it was legal, you have taken a wild animal into captivity, (illegal in every state) which is cruel. In California, it is very illegal to keep any wildlife, period. First, most experts advise against owning any type of wildlife, including raccoons. Raccoon Animals available for sale in California from top breeders and individuals. Please contact your state's wildlife department for more information. Best thing I can suggest is to release it where it was found. Individuals who owned a pet raccoon when laws banning their possession have been enacted could also be allowed to maintain ownership. Feeding raccoons is harmful (PDF) and it is illegal to keep raccoons as pets in B.C. The raccoon (/ r ə ˈ k uː n / or US: / r æ ˈ k uː n / (), Procyon lotor), sometimes spelled racoon, also known as the common raccoon, North American raccoon, northern raccoon, or coon, is a medium-sized mammal native to North America. This may feel silly, but it is the best way to keep raccoons safe from people. This is not necessarily cause for alarm. Note: The point of this article is to list at least one interesting pet that is legal in each state; therefore, the list is far from comprehensive ,and laws change all the time. In California, it is very illegal to keep any wildlife, period. Raccoon for sale in California. Assess whether the raccoon is acting strangely. What kind of vet specializes in raccoons, if one even exist? It is not legal to have a pet raccoon in Los Angeles. They will not permit pet raccoons. States that do allow raccoons as pets usually require permits. - Before you would ever consider a raccoon as a pet, however, please check with your local laws and regulations. Sophie says, I'm sorry but skunks are not legal in California at this time. But most are kept by regular pet owners, as it’s technically legal to have one in the U.K. California has some of the toughest laws on exotic pets in the nation. more . The raccoon is the largest of the procyonid family, having a body length of 40 to 70 cm (16 to 28 in) and a body weight of 5 to 26 kg (11 to 57 lb). In addition, many states Is a pet raccoon legal? Even if it was legal, you have taken a wild animal into captivity, (illegal in every state) which is cruel. The California Department of Fish and Game is responsible for determining and regulating all laws pertaining to the protection, trapping and keeping of raccoons. Raccoons are wild animals; it is illegal to keep them in many states. D.S. Owning pet raccoons requires patience and a time commitment. Rabies is a viral disease with symptoms similar to distemper. Are skunks legal in California? I really do hate how so many things are illegal here in California, animal wise, but if raccoons are illegal to own as pets, they are illegal and I do not see how the state would care about it much to give a random person a raccoon to care for. Thankfully, raccoons in B.C. I have read the whole basic care guide and I think I would love to have a skunk as a new family member! Raccoon rabies reached New York in 1990 and has become widespread. Are they circling, dragging themselves, acting injured or acting unusually aggressive? ... Get more pet and wildlife news delivered to your inbox for free on weekdays. Some people who keep pet raccoons are surprised to find their beloved cute critter turn on them and bite or attack later in life. 10 Exotic Pets That Are Legal to Own in California. If you live in a place where it’s legal to own a pet raccoon, and you are thinking about getting one, there are many other things to consider. They will not permit pet raccoons. One reason is how susceptible they are to rabies.