Is it legal to own a raccoon in Pennsylvania?
The short answer
Conditionally yes. Pennsylvania allows pet raccoons only through a narrow channel: the animal must come from a USDA-licensed Pennsylvania breeder approved by the Game Commission's Special Permits Enforcement Division, with the required possession paperwork. Importing raccoons from out of state is prohibited (rabies control), and wild-caught animals cannot be kept.
What Pennsylvania law says
Pennsylvania's Game and Wildlife Code and PGC regulations (58 Pa. Code ch. 137, 147) control possession of wildlife. Raccoons are native furbearers and a rabies-vector species: possession runs through PGC's special-permit system, and PGC restricts sourcing to approved in-state USDA breeders. Contact the Special Permits Enforcement Division before acquiring — approval is animal- and source-specific.
Which agency regulates raccoons in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Game Commission, Special Permits Enforcement Division is the authority for raccoon (Procyon lotor) possession in Pennsylvania.
Is there a permit for pet raccoons?
Yes — the PGC wildlife possession permit (approved-breeder sourcing), issued by Pennsylvania Game Commission, Special Permits Enforcement Division (Varies; set by PGC permit schedule). Licensed wildlife rehabilitators (temporary care for release).
Penalties and enforcement
Unlawful possession of wildlife carries summary and misdemeanor grades under the Game and Wildlife Code, with fines and confiscation. A raccoon involved in a bite incident is euthanized for rabies testing.
Local city and county rules
Municipal exotic-animal ordinances apply on top of PGC permitting, particularly in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Legal alternatives in Pennsylvania
- Sugar Glider in Pennsylvania — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a raccoon out of state and bring it to Pennsylvania?
No. Importation of raccoons into Pennsylvania is prohibited for rabies control. The only path is a PGC-approved USDA breeder inside Pennsylvania.
Can I keep a raccoon I found in Pennsylvania?
No — wild-caught raccoons can't be possessed. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Sources
More animals in Pennsylvania
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Pennsylvania?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Pennsylvania?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Pennsylvania?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Pennsylvania page, or compare every state on the pet raccoon laws by state page.
Last verified 2026-07-02 against the cited primary sources. This is a research directory, not legal advice — confirm current rules with Pennsylvania Game Commission, Special Permits Enforcement Division and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.