Can i legally keep a wild raccoon?

I have possesion of a baby raccoon and he eats about everything from eggs to meat by products...is it wrong or illegal to keep a wild animal?Can i legally keep a wild raccoon?
Like everyone has said really it depends on the State you are in. I know in Cail. it is illegal. But there are other problems that you need to take into consideration...Raccoons have their fare share of diseases and parasites Capilaria, Coccidia, tape worms, round worms, hook worms. Which are transmittable to humans. It is never a good idea to keep wildlife for the simple reason they are wild. What is cute and cuddly now can cause severe injury when it turns a year old and hits maturity. I am a Permitted (state and federal) Wildlife rehabber in Cali. we work with raccoons and I can tell you from first hand experience that they can hurt you. I had one that I was catching for release that bit through my Kevlar glove (Kevlar is what they use in bullet proof vests) The best thing you can do is contact a Wildlife rehabber. The best way to go about this is to contact your states Department of Fish and Game. Or Fish and Wildlife services (that is the federal department) The problem with you having it is; it is alone and you are the only thing it knows. It will loose the fear of people that it needs to survive on its own. If was reared around other animals like dogs or cats the same rules apply, they will not be afraid of them. If you release a raccoon that is not afraid of people, dogs, cats etc. you will risk it attacking or harming someone or something.Can i legally keep a wild raccoon?
It's probably illegal, but what the heck. My friend raised quite a few of them a while back. Go for it.





P.S. Nothing is illegal unless you get caught : )
In austraila you have to have a permit to keep a wild animal but I dont see why you cant keep it providing you have space and you are stable - it would be awful to keep the raccoon have it dependent on you and then have to let it go where it would die in the wild alternatively you would have a wild life centre where you could give them the animal.
In most states it is illegal. They do make *lousy* pets as adults.. They become distrutive and mean when they are sexually mature..


Call your local humane society to get a referral to your nearest wildlife rescue..(you don't have to give your name) or your vet will likely know if they are legal in your area, and if not, where the refuge is..
Wild animals should live in the wild and reproduce and enjoy themselves and enhance the ecosystem. By the way, captivating wild animals is indeed illegal.But before releasing it you must make sure he can survive in the wild, since now he has been raised as a baby by you. Contact a wildlife rehabilitation centre about it.
It's going to depend on your state and local laws. Found this and it may be dated:





http://exoticpets.about.com/gi/dynamic/o鈥?/a>





Here is some more info and references on keeping raccoons as pets. http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/raccoons/鈥?/a>





Personally, I wouldn't keep one. I'd find a wildlife rehabilitator to take him in.
Definitely its illegal.......
no!!
It is most likely illegal depending on where you live and most certainly not a good idea----they are wild animals and do not make good pets----think so now? they change! when they mature they get rather cantankerous and hard to manage.----if they could be tamed up and managed well they would be in abundant supply.-----sorry----wish i could give a better report-----but they are a danger.
I had one a long time ago. He was hysterically funny to watch, though a real pill while I tried to sleep because he'd want to explore my nose and ears with his tiny hands. He also got into EVERY thing in the house, I soon learned that NOTHING is coon proof. The problem comes when they become breeding age. He went from being cute to being out of control, tearing the house apart and biting and scratching me and attacking the dog. I don't know of any vet who will spay/neuter one, which would probably solve the temperment problem as they mature. I didn't have a permit for him... you have to have one to legally keep ANY wild animal for a pet. The Wild Animal Police won't come get you, but if he attacks someone's pet or bites someone (you included) and the cops or emergency room becomes involved, you'll be in deep doo doo if you don't have the required permits.
It is illegal in the states I know. My grandmother had one though it was really awesome we called him snoopy. If you were going to keep him i'd find a way to get him checked for disease. She also had piranas haha I hope I spelled that right. And two exotic birds that she did have a permit for. Useless information but felt like sharing.
Of course it is illegal. I know someone who tried this on 2 different occasions. It was cuddly and cute only for a while. Once they reached sexual maturity they both became completely unmanageable. One person had to get an enormous amount of sutures because he got attacked and the other one went into their cellar and completely cleared off more than 10 shelves of glass canning jars full of food they had put up.Does either sound like a happy racoon? They belong where they are born-In the Wild.Please give him up.
thats so funny and im not sure but the same thing happened to me. 3 raccoons actually, they all ate food on a nightly basis and a few times even would run around and stay in the house. it was awesome.