Can You Legally and Safely Own a Raccoon in Michigan?

There's something about owning a raccoon as a pet that sounds very appealing to some people. We can blame Instagram and TikTok for this, as both platforms show lots of videos of people who own raccoons, making it look really fun and easy.

Raccoons require a lot of care and can be quite unpredictable, which is why most animal experts recommend against having them as pets. They often cause damage to homes and belongings with their antics, are challenging to tame, and are known for biting when agitated. Even with all that said, it's hard to deny their cute little hands and adorable faces.

Is It Legal to Own a Racoon in Michigan?

Owning a raccoon as a pet is illegal in most states nationwide. However, when it comes to Michigan, the law tends to get a little confusing.

According to Exotic Pet Wonderland, owning a raccoon in Michigan is legal but practically impossible. Confusing, right? While it is technically legal to have a pet raccoon in Michigan with a permit to hold wild game in captivity, the raccoon must be purchased from a permitted USDA breeder. They claim there are no USDA raccoon breeders in Michigan, which is why it's impossible to own one. Importing raccoons from other states is also illegal.

Capturing a raccoon from the wild to keep as a pet is almost always extremely illegal. I have to keep telling my wife this, as she keeps insisting that we keep one of the three young raccoons that have been hanging around our house for a couple of weeks. We believe they were abandoned by their mother or that something bad happened to her.