Raccoons might look adorable, but keeping one as a pet is a completely different story. In Ontario, and much of Canada, owning a raccoon is not only a bad idea — it’s often illegal. Pest Protection Plus explains exactly why raccoons belong in the wild, not in your living room.
Can I Legally Have a Pet Raccoon in Ontario?
Short answer: No.
Under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (FWCA), raccoons are classified as wildlife. While the law doesn’t say exactly “you can’t have a pet raccoon,” it creates strict regulations that make it almost impossible.
Keeping a raccoon could lead to:
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Fines
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Animal seizure
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Legal trouble with local wildlife authorities
Raccoons Are Wild Animals, Not Pets
Raccoons are not domesticated animals. Unlike dogs or cats, raccoons have wild instincts that can’t simply be trained away.
Raccoons naturally:
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Climb everything
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Rip into walls, wiring, insulation
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Explore obsessively
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Bite or scratch when scared
Having a raccoon indoors can quickly turn into expensive home repairs — and serious safety risks.
Health Risks of Keeping a Pet Raccoon
Wondering “Can I have a pet raccoon?” Think about the health risks first. Raccoons can carry:
| Disease | Risk to Humans |
|---|---|
| Rabies | Fatal if untreated |
| Leptospirosis | Kidney or liver damage |
| Roundworm (Baylisascaris) | Brain or organ damage from parasites |
Their feces can contaminate your home, yard, or garden with dangerous parasites that are hard to remove.
Emotional & Social Needs of Raccoons
Raccoons are highly social wild animals. They thrive when:
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Climbing trees
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Foraging for food
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Living with other raccoons
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Raising their young in family units
Removing a baby raccoon from its mother causes stress and trauma — for both the animal and the parent. Even with the best intentions, a home environment can’t meet these needs.
How Keeping a Pet Raccoon Harms Wildlife
The biggest reason not to keep a pet raccoon? It damages Ontario’s ecosystem.
By removing raccoons from their environment, humans disrupt:
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Natural food chains
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Wildlife population balance
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Raccoon family structures
Wild animals belong in the wild — it’s better for them, and better for us.
What to Do if You Find a Raccoon
If you find a raccoon that looks injured, orphaned, or is causing problems on your property, don’t try to care for it yourself.
Instead:
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Call your local wildlife rehabilitation center
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Contact a professional pest or wildlife control company like Pest Protection Plus
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Let trained experts handle wildlife safely and legally
Final Thoughts on Having a Pet Raccoon
Raccoons are fascinating and beautiful animals — from a distance. Bringing one into your home isn’t just difficult — it’s unsafe, unsanitary, and often illegal.
Wondering “Can I have a pet raccoon?” The answer is clear: No — and for good reason.
Let raccoons live wild. And if one shows up where it shouldn’t? Call Pest Protection Plus. We’ll handle it safely, humanely, and professionally.
Learn more about our raccoon services: Raccoon Removal
Here is a helpful video:https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jB-OvgI85d8
