Is It Legal To Own A Raccoon In Arizona

So, there I was, scrolling through my Instagram feed, when I stumbled upon this adorable little raccoon, all bandit-masked and ring-tailed, lounging in someone's backyard pool. I mean, who wouldn't want a mini masked bandit like that as a pet, right? But then it hit me, I live in Arizona, and I've no clue if it's even legal to own a raccoon here. So, let's dive in, shall we?

First Things First, What's the Deal with Raccoons?

Raccoons are pretty fascinating creatures. They're intelligent, have opposable thumbs (yes, you read that right), and they're nocturnal, which means they're partying while we're sleeping. But they're also known for their mischief, hence the name 'trash pandas'. They're not exactly the easiest pets to have around.

So, Arizona, What's Your Stance?

Alright, let's get down to business. In Arizona, the ownership of raccoons is, drumroll please... illegal. I know, I know, it's disappointing, but hear me out. Arizona classifies raccoons as 'nuisance wildlife', which means they're considered a potential threat to public health, safety, and property. They can carry diseases like rabies, and they're not exactly known for their tidy habits.

Now, you might be thinking, 'But what if I promise to keep it as a pet, feed it organic food, and give it a little raccoon mansion in my backyard?' Sorry to break it to you, but the law doesn't differentiate between pet raccoons and wild ones. It's all or nothing, folks.

But Wait, There's More!

You might be wondering, 'What if I found a baby raccoon and I just want to take care of it until it's old enough to be released?' Well, that's a bit of a gray area. While it's still not recommended, some wildlife rehabilitators might take in orphaned or injured raccoons. But remember, handling wildlife can be dangerous, and it's always best to leave it to the professionals.

And if you're thinking about moving to a state where it is legal to own a raccoon, well, you're out of luck. Only a handful of states allow it, and they're not exactly known for their mild winters. So, you might want to reconsider that move to Alaska.

Where is it Legal to Own a Raccoon: An Illustrated Guide - Outdoor Doer

So, What Can We Learn from This?

As much as we might want to, it's not a good idea to keep raccoons as pets. They're wild animals with specific needs that we can't always meet. Plus, it's illegal, and we don't want to be on the wrong side of the law, do we?

But don't worry, there are plenty of other pets you can have in Arizona. Maybe consider a cat or a dog? Or if you're feeling adventurous, you could always look into owning a hedgehog. Yes, you read that right. Hedgehogs are legal to own in Arizona. Who knew?

So, there you have it. The sad truth about owning raccoons in Arizona. But hey, at least we learned something, right? Now, who's ready to go adopt a hedgehog?