Want a Raccoon as a Pet? Texas Says No.
Think about it: A raccoon seems like it would be a pretty cool pet, right? I mean, they seem like they would make pretty neat companions. But, in Texas, it's not as easy as just taking one to the house and claiming it as the family pet. That's actually frowned upon here in the Lone Star State.
Who Can Own a Raccoon in Texas?
According to HTexas.com, you can't privately own raccoons in Texas. However, there are exemptions to owning them. It turns out that before you can legally own or handle a racoon in the state of Texas, you have to get a special permit. While that may sound simple enough, you generally have to fall into a specialized category before the state will even consider giving you one. Those categories are below:
- Wildlife Rehabilitators
- Zoos and Educational Institutions
- Scientific Research Facilities (when doing disease research and/or behavioral studies)
Even these groups have to jump through all kinds of hoops to make ownership happen by meeting state guidelines and standards.
There Are Legitimate Reasons Behind the State's Restrictions
The prohibition on owning raccoons in the state of Texas isn't just a "because-I-said-so" ruling. It has lot of safety considerations built into the reasoning. For one, raccoons can transmit deadly diseases, rabies being one of those.
Another reason is that you can't really domesticate raccoons. They can be very aggressive, very, VERY difficult to house-train, and they can get into virtually anything in your house, thanks to those nifty opposable thumbs they have.
Bottom Line - Leave the Wild Animals as They Are
At the end of the day, even if it was possible to have a raccoon as a pet, it wouldn't really be worth it. You'd have to drop tons of money on permits, home repairs/upgrades, vet bills...and the list goes on.
It's also worth mentioning that it's DEFINITELY not worth it to try to own one under the radar. If you're caught with one in captivity - no matter how extravagant of a life you've built for it - it could lead to pretty hefty fines, or even some jail time.
You'd definitely come out ahead to just head over to the Ellen Trout Zoo and visit the raccoons there.
Here Are 10 Exotic Animals You Can Have As Pets in Texas
Gallery Credit: Piggie