Is it legal to have a raccoon as a pet in Washington? Recently we read about a woman with more than 100 raccoons on her property. The critters had taken over her yard and she fled to her vehicle for safety. She called 911 for help. The woman had been feeding the animals for 35-years. It was normal for the raccoons to tap on her windows and door for food.

If you don't want raccoons on your property, don’t give them access to your garbage.

Canva
Canva
loading...

Keep your garbage can lid on tight. Keep your cans in tightfitting bins, a shed, or a garage. As cute as these critters might seem, they can be outright rascals.

Can you legally have a raccoon as a pet in Washington?

According to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, (WSDA) website:

It is illegal to own animals that may infect people with rabies. Animals illegal to own under this law include:
• Bats
• Skunks
• Foxes
• Raccoons
• Coyotes

It is NOT legal to have a pet raccoon in the state of Washington. Part of the reason is the risk of rabies. According to the Washington Department of Health:

Rabies is a severe viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It is almost always fatal. All warm-blooded mammals including humans are susceptible to rabies.

It is legal to have a raccoon as a pet in the following states:

Canva
Canva
loading...

Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

98.3 KEYW logo
Get our free mobile app

James Blackwood is known as the "Raccoon Whisperer" on Youtube. Check out one of his videos.

10 Animals You Can't Keep As A Pet In The Tri-Cities

Check out these 10 animals that are illegal to keep as a pet in the Tri-Cities

Gallery Credit: Rik Mikals

LOOK: Here are the states where you are most likely to hit an animal

Hitting an animal while driving is a frightening experience, and this list ranks all 50 states in order of the likelihood of such incidents happening, in addition to providing tips on how to avoid them.

Gallery Credit: Dom DiFurio & Jacob Osborn

States with the most registered hunters

Stacker analyzed data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine which states have the most registered hunters. Read on to see how your state ranks on Stacker’s list.

Gallery Credit: Meagan Drillinger

More From 98.3 KEYW