Can You Keep a Raccoon as a Pet in the UK? Why They're Banned (2025)

Every year, thousands of UK residents search "can I keep a raccoon as a pet?" - inspired by viral videos of seemingly cuddly raccoons. The answer is simple but disappointing: No. Raccoons are completely banned in the UK.

This isn't a licence issue like wild cats or DWA animals. Raccoons are prohibited entirely under Invasive Alien Species (IAS) regulations. Keeping one is a criminal offence with serious penalties.

🚫 Quick Answer: Raccoons Are BANNED in the UK

Legal status: Completely prohibited under IAS Regulation. Penalties: Up to 2 years imprisonment + unlimited fines. Can you get a licence? No - no licence exists for private ownership. Alternatives: Coatis and kinkajous are legal with DWA licences; ferrets and skunks need no licence.

Why Are Raccoons Banned in the UK?

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are native to North America. They were banned in the UK (and EU) because they're classified as invasive non-native species that pose serious ecological threats.

Environmental Threats

• Competition with native wildlife: Raccoons compete with badgers, foxes, and hedgehogs for food and habitat

• Predation: They eat bird eggs, chicks, amphibians, and small mammals - threatening UK nesting birds

• Ecosystem damage: Raccoons have devastated native species populations in Germany and other European countries where they've established

• Adaptability: They thrive in UK climate and urban environments - escapes would quickly establish wild populations

Disease Risks

• Rabies: Raccoons are major rabies vectors in North America (UK is rabies-free)

• Baylisascaris procyonis: Raccoon roundworm - can cause severe neurological damage in humans, especially children

• Leptospirosis: Bacterial infection spread through urine

• Canine distemper: Transmissible to UK dogs and foxes

The RSPCA and Natural England both strongly oppose raccoon ownership due to these risks.

The IAS Regulation Explained

The Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Regulation (EU Regulation 1143/2014, retained in UK law post-Brexit) creates a list of species that cannot be:

• Imported into the UK

• Kept (including as pets)

• Bred

• Transported

• Sold or exchanged

• Released into the environment

This is different from the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (which allows animals with licences). IAS-listed species are completely prohibited with no licensing option.

Key UK Legislation

• IAS Enforcement Regulations 2019 - Implements EU regulation in UK law

• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - Prohibits release of non-native species

• Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 - Sets penalties

Enforcement Bodies

• Natural England - Primary enforcement in England

• Natural Resources Wales - Enforcement in Wales

• Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) - Permits and imports

• GB Non-native Species Inspectorate - Inspections and investigations

• Police wildlife crime officers - Criminal enforcement

Full List of 30 Banned Species (IAS List)

Raccoons are one of 30 animal species banned under IAS regulations. Here's the complete list:

Mammals (10 species)

• Raccoon (Procyon lotor) - The species you're asking about

• Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) - Not actually a raccoon

• Coati (Nasua nasua) - South American relative of raccoons

• Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) - Already widespread in UK

• Fox squirrel (Sciurus niger)

• Pallas's squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus)

• Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus)

• Small Asian mongoose (Urva auropunctata)

• Coypu (Myocastor coypus) - Eradicated from UK in 1989

• Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

Birds (5 species)

• Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)

• Sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)

• Indian house crow (Corvus splendens)

• Common myna (Acridotheres tristis)

• Ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)

Reptiles & Amphibians (3 species)

• Red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) - Popular pet, now banned

• All slider turtle subspecies

• North American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Crustaceans & Fish (12 species)

• Signal crayfish, marbled crayfish, red swamp crayfish, virile crayfish, spiny-cheek crayfish

• Chinese mitten crab

• Topmouth gudgeon, pumpkinseed, Chinese sleeper, striped eel catfish

For exotic pets you CAN legally own, see our licence-free exotic pets guide.

Penalties for Keeping Raccoons

The penalties for keeping IAS-listed animals like raccoons are severe:

Criminal Penalties

• Summary offence: Up to 3 months imprisonment

• Indictable offence: Up to 2 years imprisonment

• Fines: Unlimited - no maximum cap

• Animal seizure: The raccoon will be confiscated

• 5-year ban: Prohibited from keeping any IAS-listed species for 5 years

How Offenders Get Caught

• Social media: Posting photos/videos of your "pet raccoon" is evidence

• Veterinary visits: Vets are required to report IAS-listed species

• Neighbour reports: Unusual animals attract attention

• Sales investigations: Buying attempts are monitored

• Escapes: Escaped raccoons trigger investigations

Real Consequences

This isn't theoretical. The APHA actively investigates IAS violations. Recent cases have resulted in prosecutions, fines, and animal confiscation.

Grandfather Clause: Already Own a Raccoon?

If you owned a raccoon before it was listed (August 2016 in the EU, retained in UK law), you may be able to keep it under "grandfather rights".

Conditions for Grandfather Rights

• Pet only: Must be kept as a personal pet (not commercial)

• Secure containment: Must be kept in escape-proof enclosure (cage, vivarium)

• No breeding: You cannot allow the animal to breed - criminal offence

• No selling: Cannot sell, give away, or exchange the animal

• Registration: Should be registered with Natural England

• Lifetime only: You can keep it until it dies naturally, but cannot replace it

What Happens When It Dies?

You cannot acquire another raccoon. The grandfather clause is a one-time exception for animals already owned before the ban.

Contact Natural England

If you have a pre-ban raccoon, contact Natural England to ensure you're compliant:

• Email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk

• Phone: 0300 060 3900

Raccoon Dogs: Also Banned

Don't confuse raccoons with raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) - they're also banned, but they're completely different animals.

Raccoon vs Raccoon Dog

• Raccoon: Procyonid family (related to coatis, kinkajous). Native to North America.

• Raccoon dog: Canid family (related to dogs, foxes). Native to East Asia.

Why Raccoon Dogs Are Banned

• Classified as "highly invasive" - already established in parts of Europe

• Compete with native foxes and badgers

• Can carry rabies and other diseases

• Sales banned in UK since February 2019

• The RSPCA strongly discourages raccoon dog ownership

Welfare Concerns

The RSPCA reports raccoon dogs kept in inadequate conditions - small cages, housed with domestic dogs. They're wild animals with complex needs unsuitable for domestic settings.

Why Raccoons Make Terrible Pets Anyway

Even if raccoons were legal, they'd make poor pets for most people:

Behavioural Problems

• Destructive: Raccoons destroy furniture, walls, and belongings - they're naturally curious and use their hands constantly

• Nocturnal: Most active at night when you're trying to sleep

• Aggressive: Mature raccoons often become aggressive, especially during breeding season

• Cannot be housetrained: Will defecate and urinate throughout your home

• Bite risk: Strong jaws and sharp teeth - bites require medical attention

Care Requirements

• Space: Need large outdoor enclosures, not household living

• Enrichment: Highly intelligent - need constant mental stimulation

• Diet: Omnivorous but require carefully balanced nutrition

• Veterinary: Very few vets can treat raccoons - exotic vets may refuse

• Lifespan: 12-16 years - long commitment

Why Social Media Is Misleading

Viral raccoon videos show:

• Baby raccoons (cute but they grow up)

• Carefully edited clips (not the destruction)

• Animals in countries where they're legal (USA)

• Rescue situations (not pets)

The reality is very different from TikTok compilations.

Legal Alternatives to Raccoons in the UK

Want a clever, hands-on exotic pet? Here are legal options:

With DWA Licence (Similar to Raccoons)

• Coati (Nasua nasua): Raccoon relative from South America. Requires DWA licence but IS legal with proper licensing. Similar behaviour and intelligence. £500-£1,500 to buy, plus enclosure costs.

• Kinkajou: Another procyonid (raccoon family). Nocturnal, tree-dwelling. DWA licence required. £1,500-£3,000 to buy.

For DWA licensing process, see our complete DWA guide.

No Licence Required

• Ferrets: Intelligent, playful, hands-on pets. Legal, affordable (£20-£100). Social animals that can be housetrained. Closest legal approximation to raccoon interaction.

• Descented Skunks: Legal in UK without licence (if descented). Curious, intelligent. £200-£500. Require experienced owners.

• Sugar Gliders: Small, social, intelligent marsupials. Legal without licence. £150-£300. Need pairs and specialist care.

• Chinchillas: Soft, curious rodents. Easy to care for, long-lived (15-20 years). Legal, £80-£200.

• Degus: Highly social, intelligent rodents. Great for interaction. £20-£40.

Why These Are Better Choices

• Legal: No risk of prosecution

• Veterinary access: Exotic vets can treat these species

• Domestic suitability: Bred for captivity, not wild-caught

• Rehoming possible: Can find new homes if circumstances change

• Community support: Active UK keeper communities for advice

See our full licence-free exotic pets guide for more options.

What If You See a Raccoon in the UK?

Raccoon sightings in the UK are extremely rare but do occur (escaped pets, illegal releases).

If You See a Raccoon

1. Don't approach: Raccoons can be aggressive and may carry diseases

2. Note location: Record exact location, time, and direction of travel

3. Take photos/video: If safely possible

4. Report immediately: Contact the GB Non-native Species Secretariat

5. Or call: RSPCA (0300 1234 999) or local council

Why Reporting Matters

Early detection prevents establishment. Raccoons have established wild populations in Germany (estimated 1+ million), Japan, and other countries where they were introduced. The UK wants to prevent this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you keep a raccoon as a pet in the UK?

No. Raccoons are completely banned under Invasive Alien Species (IAS) regulations. You cannot buy, sell, breed, or keep raccoons. No licence exists for private ownership. Penalties include up to 2 years imprisonment and unlimited fines.

Why are raccoons banned in the UK?

Raccoons are classified as invasive non-native species. They threaten UK wildlife through competition and predation, spread diseases (rabies, roundworm), and have caused ecological damage in other European countries. The ban prevents population establishment.

What happens if you're caught with a pet raccoon UK?

Criminal penalties include: up to 3 months imprisonment (summary), up to 2 years (indictable), unlimited fines, animal confiscation, and 5-year ban from IAS species. Natural England, police wildlife officers, and APHA enforce these laws.

What if I already had a raccoon before the ban UK?

You may keep it under "grandfather rights" if owned before August 2016. Conditions: secure containment, no breeding, no selling, registration with Natural England. You cannot replace it when it dies. Contact Natural England to confirm compliance.

Are raccoon dogs legal in the UK?

No. Raccoon dogs are also banned under IAS regulations (since February 2019). They're a different species (canid family, not procyonid) but pose similar invasive risks. Same penalties apply.

What legal exotic pets are similar to raccoons UK?

Legal alternatives: Coatis and kinkajous (require DWA licence - related to raccoons), ferrets (no licence - most similar interaction), skunks (no licence if descented), sugar gliders (no licence). See our licence-free guide.

The Bottom Line

We understand the appeal of raccoons - they're intelligent, dexterous, and undeniably cute in viral videos. But the UK ban exists for good reasons:

• Environmental protection: Preventing ecological damage seen in other countries

• Disease prevention: Keeping the UK rabies-free

• Animal welfare: Raccoons don't thrive in domestic settings

The good news? There are legal alternatives that offer similar experiences:

• Ferrets for hands-on, intelligent interaction

• Coatis for a true procyonid experience (with DWA licence)

• Chinchillas for soft, curious companions

Whatever exotic pet you choose, make sure it's legal and you can provide proper care. Use our UK Exotic Vet Directory to find RCVS-verified specialists before bringing any exotic animal home.

For more on UK exotic pet laws, see our complete legal guide, DWA Act guide, and pet regulations hub.

In an emergency with any exotic animal, use our 24/7 emergency vet finder.

Information verified against GOV.UK IAS guidance, IAS Enforcement Regulations 2019, and RSPCA guidance. Last updated December 2025.