One of the most serious and deadly of these is rabies.According to the World Health Organization, rabies is “almost always fatal following the onset of clinical symptoms.” Obviously, this presents serious concerns when you’re keeping a raccoon as a pet.Dr. They can NEVER be domesticated. This too, varies from province to province. Alberta toughened its stance on exotic animals in 2000. Raccoon populations are found throughout southern Canada and most of the United States, except areas in the Rocky Mountains, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The best part about them is that they will answer to their own name and use a litter box. The legislation for exotic animal in Manitoba is fragmented and to get a full picture of what is allowed and what is not you have to examine the regulations in several departments. Local … Bobcats and Coyotes also may be taken during any open deer, bear or spring turkey season with weapons legal for that season. Look where we are right now. According to the Canadian Constitution Act (1867), animals are considered property and jurisdiction over exotic animal ownership is given to the provinces. While their appearance may be humorous, their plight in modern society is a bi… For example, Ontario law has regulations in place to outlaw the keeping of many local animals such as raccoons, wild turkeys and squirrels, however there are no specific laws that outlaw the ownership of a tiger or giraffe. Although don’t take this post as gospel and do your homework, but at the moment, these animals are totally legit as pets. It's illegal: In Canada it is illegal to keep raccoons as pets, as they are on the 'prohibited animals list, alongside several other exotic species. The licenses were originally intended to allow killing raccoons for their fur, although skinning the raccoon is not necessary to use the license. Different permits exist for pet owners, researchers and the entertainment industry. On top of that it won’t always explicitly detail that keeping a certain animal is illegal, instead the law will just have nothing to say on the subject. A permit can only be issued by a government agency. Exotic pets require a permit to import and possess, however there is a list of 43 species that are exempt from this. You must contact the Commonwealth Attorney’s office in your county/city for information regarding legal methods of animal removal. Raccoons. Is it legal to own primates in Canada? While incidents of a rabid raccoon attacking humans are rare in the Richmond and Charlottesville areas of Virginia, it’s not something you want to risk. People often want to help, but they end up killing them with kindness. Raccoons are NOT good house pets. Places Where It Is Sometimes Legal to Kill Raccoons. While no exotic species are specifically banned, anecdotal stories suggest that permits for animals that require them are not often approved. Theyre … Last year I had to trap and re-release the 5 raccoons that we're living in my chimney. Raccoons may be trapped (in season) by registered trappers who have a valid trapping licence. In my opinion, animals should not be taken out of their natural habitat, to be treated as animal slaves, all in the interests of some peoples inflated egos. In Canada, it is the Ministry of Envoirnment that issues wild animal licenses. Raccoons don't do well in cages, but their sharp claws and teeth can destroy property and injure owners. A mother and her baby raccoons cannot be removed from their nesting site until the pups are able to leave with the mother (about 12 weeks). Newfoundland and Labrador also have an extensive list of animals that can be brought in without a permit. Alberta's legislation does not prohibit a person from owning a hybrid of a wolf and a dog. Saskatchewan has two classifications for exotic pets, ones that need a permit and ones that don’t. The raccoon (/ r ə ˈ k uː n / or US: / r æ ˈ k uː n / (), Procyon lotor) is a medium-sized mammal native to North America. Joseph G on April 26, 2020: Can I own a Opossum, or a Raccoon in Philadelphia. Many veterinarians won’t vaccinate wild animals, and it can be difficult to find a vet who will even see a raccoon. So bet you didn’t know that there are certain exotic, wild or native Canadian animals that are totally legal as pets in Canada. No. A raccoon (or squirrel or opossum) is in my attic, what can I do? British Columbia Animals on this list require permits to own. Minnesota: No you cannot: Mississippi: They have several restrictions, you will need to check. As independent as cats and as affectionate as dogs, the Fennec fox sounds like the perfect pet. In still other areas, the laws are silent. With all do respect but why do you feel the need to have a “pet” raccoon? Most other provinces either require a permit to own exotic species or ban them as pets – however zoos are often exempt. residents and help While they can make decent pets, they do eat a lot of grass and require a space to go swimming. Never-the-less there are many exotic animals you can invite into your home like pot-bellied pigs to Pygmy goats. Ontario is the only province currently lacking any form of provincial legislation regarding exotic animal ownership. Also, not that great of a pet for children as they have large sharp teeth and can get aggressive. Keeping animals for their companionship is something that has developed slowly throughout cultures over the years. But as we started travelling the world (and bringing animals back), many people started getting a bit carried away. Jurisdiction on the other hand can have different laws again, with Toronto being a jurisdiction within Ontario that specifically outlaws the ownership of a long list of animals from monkeys to wolves to penguins (the full list can be found here), The current Wildlife Act in Yukon states that it has regulations on all animals “not indigenous to the Yukon and that in its natural habitat is usually found wild in nature.”. Most raccoon conflicts happen in the spring and summer, when mother raccoons are looking for shelter and extra food to raise their babies. The Muntjac deer is also known as the barking deer because bark like a dog. This includes all primates. The Algonquian words aroughcun and aroughcoune mean “one that rubs, scrubs, and scratches with its hands.” (See also Indigenous Languages in Canada.) Those lists can be found here. They mostly keep to themselves and are nocturnal in nature. This was something that was easy to work out in the days before the world became global. Many of the animals you have listed as being legal are actually illegal, at least in significant portions of the country. Is it illegal to own a raccoon in Ohio? Wallaby and Wallaroo Care: A Complete Owner’s Guide. It depends on where you live in Canada. Controlled Alien Species Regulation, Wildlife Act Review – Government of British Columbia, The Wildlife Act – Statutes of Saskatchewan, The Municipalities Act: Dangerous Animals – Statutes of Saskatchewan, Rules about animals in captivity/ Règlement sur les animaux en captivité – Government of Quebec, Requirements for Non-Human Primates Imported into Canada – CFIA, Government of Canada, Ontario is the only province currently lacking any form of provincial legislation regarding exotic animal ownership. Here is a list of adorable exotic pets, that you had no idea were legal to own in Canada: The world’s largest rodent species is a lot like owning a dog-sized hamster. The sale and possession of exotic animals in the United States is regulated by a patchwork of federal, state, and local laws that generally vary by community and by animal. Federally, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) is the only body that oversees exotics, but they only deal with endangered species. Its grayish coat mostly consists of dense underfur which insulates it against cold weather. Order online and contribute directly to our farm's It is ILLEGAL to keep raccoons as pets in B.C. It's illegal: In Canada it is illegal to keep raccoons as pets, as they are on the 'prohibited animals list, alongside several other exotic species. A. The answer is no, for several reasons. One reason is how susceptible they are to rabies. Nova Scotia is one of the rare provinces with a comprehensive list of exotic animals that are prohibited and those that are allowed. This may feel silly, but it is the best way to keep raccoons safe from people. If one wishes to own an exotic animal, that person must register with the city with a host of specific information before it can be considered. The law states that any animal species not found on this list requires the application of a permit. First, most experts advise against owning any type of wildlife, including raccoons. Do I need a permit to own a hybrid of a wolf and a dog. Prince Edward Island has an extensive information on which animals can and can’t be kept. Killing a raccoon is illegal in Toronto. 2 A veterinarian will be able to help you figure out what kind of pet is best for you and your family. No Kill Permit Required from Department to kill on your own land during closed season. You can find traps at … Black-and-white skunks are illegal in Canada. It’s unethical: Raccoons are wild animals. We have come a long way from then, but you may find it surprising that regulations on exotic pets in Canada is fairly poorly regulated. Raccoons are intelligent, active, social, nocturnal animals. Mostly you will just be making sure the hedgehog is well fed and that their cage is cleaned. As this is legal advice, listing legal and illegal things, it’s terribly unethical to give incorrect information, never mind keep it up., National Geographic has Named Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market as the Best in the World, An Abandoned Haunted Mental Hospital in Ontario Has Been Turned into A Paintball Arena, 542 views, 145 views, 752 views, 518 views, 1061 views, 146 views. It's believed the man was frustrated with the damage raccoons were causing in his garden. © Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary 2020. In 2013, a pet python in New Brunswick killed two young boys. Quebec and Saskatchewan specify which species do and don’t require permits. Cade on January 14, 2020: Are fennec fox’s allowed in PA. Moche on November 26, 2019: Ned Gentz, DVM, DACZM, writing for VetzInsight, says, “Raccoons are the m… All 2020 Open Days cancelled due to COVID-19. First, what you can’t do. Bobcats, opossums and raccoons may be taken at night only when treed by dogs and only with firearms no larger than .22 caliber rimfire and shotguns with shot no larger than T … All primates imported into Canada require a CFIA Import Permit. Just make sure you watch out for those spikes. sklL on March 24, 2020: what about capycabras. Raccoon dogs are charismatic canids that are surging in popularity thanks to internet virility. They can grow to as large as 20 pounds but start out looking like a tiny Bambi. Scientific Name: Procyon lotor Average weight: 5 - 12 kg, max. Some places specifically forbid having a raccoon as a pet. Although there was a major awareness campaign to emphasise the care of exotic pets, no existing laws were changed. This spiky little companion are very low maintenance as pets. Keeping animals for their companionship is something that has developed slowly throughout cultures over the years. Humans have kept animals as pets for over 12,000 years. change lives. These tiny marsupials earned their name for their love of the sweet stuff and their ability to glide. They are native to Far East Asia. The laws for keeping exotic animals as pets used to be more relaxed in British Columbia, however following several high profile incidents involving human injury (and one death), new regulations were implemented putting regulations on 1,000 unregulated exotic species (the list can be found here). If you want to know more about what’s legal where, check out this infographic. In earlier times dogs were the predominant furry companion but having pets of all kinds can be a wonderful experience. Secondly, as explained, it is illegal to keep raccoons as pets in Canada. It is illegal to own any exotic animals without a permit. Subscribe to the our newsletter to receive latest news straight to your inbox. Nunavut has laws concerning the regulation of native wildlife but not real regulations that apply to other exotic species. No specific species are banned by legislation. 22 - 26 kg Life expectancy:average 5 years This was something that was worked out in the United Kingdom in the the 1950s and 60s, when the department store Harrods had an ‘exotic animals’ department where everyday citizens could buy alligators, elephants, ostriches and lions for pets. The specifications for this can be found here. Without their mother, they will die. They are wild animals and are kept in custody only on extremely rare occasions, although for a reasonable reason, for example when they have to be cured. Raccoons are common throughout New Hampshire, residing in both rural and urban settings. Raccoons are very common here. In 2009, British Columbia took the lead in preventing the sale of exotic species by enacting legislation on ‘controlled alien species’, which includes all primates. Anyone who owned one of the species prior to the regulations needed to register their pet. Q. I caught a raccoon in my own trap, what do I do now? It is the largest of the procyonid family, having a body length of 40 to 70 cm (16 to 28 in) and a body weight of 5 to 26 kg (11 to 57 lb). Raccoons are susceptible to a few illnesses that are zoonotic, meaning they can be passed to humans. If you are the homeowner or tenant, you can buy a live-trap and trap a raccoon, squirrel or opossum on your property without a permit. These social pets can get up to three-feet long and can even be trained. African Pygmy hedgehogs may legally be kept as pets. The English word raccoon comes from the Algonquian language of the Powhatan confederacy of Indigenous tribes that lived in the Virginia area at the time of British colonization. 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