Ever looked at a raccoon digging through your trash and thought, “I want one of those”?
Well, a newly filed bill in the Texas Legislature could make that possible — legally, at least.
House Bill 1090, filed by state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, would establish a permit system allowing Texans to keep raccoons as pets, provided they meet certain requirements established by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Under current Texas law, raccoons are classified as fur-bearing animals, and residents generally cannot legally keep them as household pets.
The proposed legislation would create a new exception, allowing people to own raccoons under a state-issued permit.
Before bringing one home, prospective owners would need to complete a state-approved raccoon ownership course and apply for a permit through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The permit would be valid for one year, with the option to renew. Applicants would also have to pay a fee, although the legislation leaves the amount up to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
And no, the bill wouldn’t allow you to simply grab a raccoon from your backyard.
Under the proposal, pet raccoons could only be obtained from authorized wildlife rescuers or rehabilitators, federally licensed breeders, or other permitted raccoon owners, subject to state rules.
Owning a raccoon would come with responsibilities beyond feeding it and giving it a place to sleep.
Permit holders would be required to provide appropriate veterinary care, including vaccinations for rabies and other communicable diseases as required by state rules.
Owners would also have to provide suitable shelter, food, water and enrichment for their animals.
Breeding pet raccoons would be prohibited unless the owner was separately authorized to do so by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The bill would also authorize game wardens and other designated state employees to inspect locations where permitted raccoons are kept. Routine inspections would generally be limited to once per year, although additional inspections could occur in response to complaints or suspected violations.
Authorities could seize raccoons from owners suspected of violating the law. Owners could also face administrative penalties of up to $1,000 to recover seizure-related costs.
Not necessarily.
One provision of the legislation would prohibit cities and counties from adopting or enforcing regulations that conflict with, or are stricter than, the proposed state law or rules adopted under it.
That means local governments, including Houston and Harris County, could face restrictions on their ability to impose additional requirements on permitted raccoon owners.
Not anytime soon.
HB 1090 is only a proposal and would need to pass the Texas Legislature and become law before the permit system could take effect.
If approved, the legislation would take effect Sept. 1, 2027. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission would then be responsible for developing rules governing permits, fees, ownership courses and animal care.
Until then, Texans hoping to bring home a raccoon will have to stick with admiring them from a distance.
