Is it legal to own a raccoon in Kansas?
The short answer
No. Raccoons are native Kansas furbearers, and KSA 32-1002 makes it unlawful to possess wildlife unless a statute or KDWP regulation authorizes it. Kansas's famously permissive exotic-pet rule covers only NON-native species, so it does not help with raccoons, and KDWP does not issue permits to keep them as pets. Taking one from the wild is also illegal.
What Kansas law says
KSA 32-1002 (unlawful possession of wildlife) bars keeping native wildlife without authorization; K.A.R. 115-20-3 authorizes possession only of exotic wildlife that is not native to Kansas, which excludes raccoons.
Which agency regulates raccoons in Kansas
Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks is the authority for raccoon (Procyon lotor) possession in Kansas.
Is there a permit for pet raccoons?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators, and USDA-licensed exhibitors or game breeders operating under KDWP authorization.
Penalties for owning a raccoon illegally
Misdemeanor charges, fines, and forfeiture of the animal under Kansas wildlife law.
Local city and county rules
Cities and counties layer on their own animal-control codes; many Kansas municipalities ban all rabies-vector species outright.
Legal alternatives in Kansas
- Fennec Fox in Kansas — The world's smallest fox — and one of the few foxes legal to own in several U.S. states.
- Sugar Glider in Kansas — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep a raccoon I found in my yard in Kansas?
No. Capturing wildlife from the wild is unlawful - call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator instead.
Why are exotic pets easier than raccoons in Kansas?
Kansas regulates native wildlife tightly but lets non-native exotic species be kept without a permit under K.A.R. 115-20-3.
Sources
More animals in Kansas
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Kansas?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Kansas?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Kansas?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Kansas page, or compare every state on the pet raccoon laws by state page.
Last verified 2026-07-03 against the cited primary sources. This is a research directory, not legal advice — confirm current rules with Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.