Petition to the Georgia House Natural Resources & Environment Committee

 

Raccoons are already living among us—climbing fences, opening trash cans, and stealing our hearts. ❤️

But in Georgia, responsibly owning a captive-bred raccoon is illegal, pushing caring owners and animals into the shadows.

 

It’s time to change that.

 

 

 

Why Legalization Makes Sense

 

 

 

🦝 Raccoons are smart, social, and thrive with proper care

🚫 Bans don’t stop ownership—they stop safety and oversight

🏥 Illegal pets = no vet care, no vaccines, no protections

✅ Regulation is safer than prohibition

 

Other states already allow raccoon domestication through permits and rules that protect people, animals, and the environment. Georgia can do the same.

 

 

 

What We’re Asking Georgia to Do

 

 

 

We urge the Georgia House Natural Resources & Environment Committee to support legislation that allows regulated raccoon domestication, including:

 

Permits and registration
Captive-bred animals only (no wild capture)
Required veterinary care and vaccinations
Humane housing standards
Zero tolerance for neglect or illegal release

 

 

 

 

Bottom Line

 

 

 

This isn’t about taking raccoons from the wild—it’s about protecting animals that already exist in captivity and choosing common sense over outdated bans.