Is it legal to own a pet raccoon in Missouri or Illinois?

ST. LOUIS – With their mischievous little hands and masked faces, raccoons are quite fascinating mammals to some. Perhaps you’ve wondered if one might make a good pet. Legally speaking, it’s not so simple.

Earlier this week, FOX 2 looked closely at Google search trends for “Missouri” and “Illinois,” starting with the terms “Is it legal…” For both states, one of the top five suggested searches was “Is it legal to own a raccoon as a pet?”

Maybe the combination of St. Louis’ chilly winter days and raccoons’ undeniable charm has sparked curiousity. But before you start to imagine a raccoon as a housemate, there are important legal considerations to keep in mind.

Is it legal to own a raccoon as a pet in Missouri or Illinois? Here’s what the state’s conservation leaders told FOX 2…

Missouri

The Missouri Department of Conservation says, according to the Wildlife Code of Missouri, it is generally illegal to possess native Missouri wildlife as pets, which would include raccoons.

Dan Zarlenga, a MDC media specialist in the St. Louis region, also shared this statement:

“Beyond any legal concerns, wild animals like raccoons do not make good pets. While cute and cuddly when young, these animals can grow up to be more aggressive and destructive. As the saying goes, ‘You can take the animal out of the wild, but you can’t take the wild out of the animal.’ They can also transmit disease to domestic pets.

Humans rarely possess the skills to properly raise wildlife and provide for their dietary needs. And if released back into the wild from captivity, these animals will not have acquired the skills they need to survive after being dependent on humans.”

According to Zarlenga, in rare cases, special permits can be granted to wildlife rehabilitators for holding raccoons or other animals with the intent to treat and release injured and sick animals. This involves a meticulous permit process and annual inspections to ensure that proper care standards are met. The experience doesn’t really entail having a raccoon as a pet as much as caring for a wild animal with the long-term goal of returning it healthy to its natural habitat.

Short answer: Is it legal to own a raccoon as a pet in Missouri? No.

Illinois

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says, according to the Illinois Wildlife Code, it is unlawful to possess any species of wildlife or wildlife parts taken unlawfully in Illinois, which would include raccoons.

A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources directed FOX 2 to the state’s online webpage with guidance for raccoons, which states the following:

“Raccoons do not generally pose a public health risk. However, they can be carriers of rabies, a disease that is fatal to humans if not treated quickly. Therefore, care should be taken not to come into contact with raccoons.”

The webpage further indicates that raccoons “may also be carriers of canine distemper and parvovirus, which can infect domestic cats and dogs,” and “infected by several kinds of parasite… infectious to humans.”

The state adds that removing a raccoon from its habitat should be a “last resort” and only if its causing property damage, not for personal reasons. Illinois classifies raccoons as “furbearers,” meaning you can legally only remove one yourself with a permit from an Illinois DNR Wildlife Biologist. It’s otherwise recommended to hire a state-supported nuisance wildlife control operator to remove a raccoon with the intention of returning it safely back into the wild.

Short answer: Is it legal to own a raccoon as a pet in Illinois? No.