Petition · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Legalise keeping raccoons as pets

Open for signatures 26 signatures

What the petition asks

I believe that raccoons should be legal to keep as pets in households, not just in specialized, licensed settings
Raccoons are highly intelligent creatures that can be described as playful and engaging. These animals can be somewhat comparable to mischievous cats. Allowing raccoons to be legally kept as pets without licences or other conditions would allow people to learn more about wildlife behaviour and learn how to care for them. It would also be highly educational and people could gain a new interest in them. It could stop illegal breeding and allow them to be properly cared and looked after.

Timeline

28 Apr 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 26
Status Open for signatures
Department Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened 28 Apr 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.