British Columbia is known for its stringent regulations regarding exotic animals, a stance the BC SPCA strongly supports to protect animal welfare and public safety. If you’re wondering whether you can have a pet raccoon in BC, the short answer is complicated and leans heavily towards no. Let’s delve into the specifics of BC’s exotic pet laws to understand why.
Provincial Legislation: BC’s Controlled Alien Species Regulation
British Columbia has some of the strictest laws in Canada concerning exotic animal ownership. This is largely due to the Controlled Alien Species (CAS) Regulation under the BC Wildlife Act. This regulation was enacted following serious incidents involving exotic animals, including human injuries and fatalities, highlighting the risks associated with keeping certain wild animals as pets.
The CAS Regulation focuses on controlling the possession, breeding, transportation, and release of specific exotic animals – defined as wild animals not native to British Columbia. The list of animals classified as CAS is not exhaustive but targets species that pose a significant risk to human health and safety.
While some exotic animals on the CAS list that were in BC before 2009 might have been grandfathered in under specific permits, the crucial point is that no new CAS animals could be imported or bred after the law’s implementation. Accredited zoos, research facilities, film production companies, and rescue centers are exceptions, requiring permits to house CAS animals for specific purposes.
Alt text: Vibrant poison arrow frog, an example of a Controlled Alien Species illegal to own as a pet in British Columbia, highlighting BC’s strict exotic pet regulations.
Are Raccoons Considered Illegal Pets Under the CAS Regulation?
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are not explicitly listed under the Controlled Alien Species Regulation in British Columbia. This might lead some to believe they are permissible pets. However, this is not the case. While not on the CAS list, raccoons, as wildlife, fall under the broader restrictions of the B.C. Wildlife Act.
Under the Wildlife Act, many animals, including raccoons, are designated as wildlife. This designation means that ownership is restricted. You generally cannot legally keep, sell, breed, traffic, or transport wildlife, including raccoons, without a permit. Importantly, permits to keep wildlife are rarely granted to individuals for pet ownership. They are primarily intended for organizations involved in wildlife rehabilitation or scientific research.
Alt text: Axolotl, a wildlife species under the BC Wildlife Act, illustrating that even non-CAS exotic animals have ownership restrictions in British Columbia.
Municipal Bylaws and Exotic Pet Ownership
Even if a species isn’t explicitly listed under the provincial CAS regulation, municipal bylaws can further restrict or prohibit exotic animal ownership. While provincial laws set a baseline, municipalities have the power to enact stricter regulations. This means that even if raccoons were somehow permissible under provincial law (which they aren’t for pet ownership), a local bylaw could still prohibit them.
The BC SPCA advocates for municipalities to adopt a “positive list” approach to exotic animal regulations. Instead of listing animals that are prohibited (a “negative list”), a positive list specifies which animals are allowed to be kept as pets. This system is more proactive and adaptable to the constantly changing exotic pet trade.
Roadside zoos with non-native animals, and the keeping of pets like servals, iguanas, and parrots (which are not CAS but still raise welfare concerns) highlight the gaps that municipal bylaws can address. Positive lists offer a more robust and future-proof method of regulating exotic pets, ensuring both animal welfare and public safety.
Alt text: A cockatoo parrot, a pet often subject to municipal bylaws in British Columbia due to exotic pet regulations and the push for positive lists.
The Benefits of Positive Lists for Exotic Animal Regulation
Positive lists offer several advantages over negative lists in managing exotic animal ownership:
- Adaptability: The exotic pet trade is dynamic, with new species constantly emerging in popularity. Negative lists struggle to keep pace, requiring frequent updates. Positive lists, conversely, remain stable, only requiring amendment when a species is proposed for inclusion as a permitted pet, placing the onus on proving suitability.
- Clarity and Enforcement: Negative lists can become lengthy and complex, leading to enforcement challenges. Grandfathering clauses and species identification issues can complicate matters. Positive lists are simpler to understand and enforce, focusing on permitted species.
- Proactive Animal Welfare and Safety: Positive lists shift the burden of proof. Those wanting to keep a new exotic animal must demonstrate it’s a suitable pet, prioritizing animal welfare and public safety upfront. Negative lists often react to problems after they arise, such as public health risks or animal welfare concerns.
Alt text: Red-footed tortoise, an example of an exotic animal whose suitability as a pet would be evaluated under a positive list system in British Columbia.
How You Can Help Protect Exotic Animals
Raccoons, while seemingly charming, are wild animals with complex needs that are difficult to meet in a domestic setting. Keeping them as pets is not only legally problematic in British Columbia but also raises significant ethical and welfare concerns. Exotic animals are generally unsuited to be pets for various reasons.
The BC SPCA is dedicated to advocating for stronger exotic animal protection laws at the municipal level through our model animal bylaws. These resources assist BC municipalities in updating their animal control bylaws, including regulations on exotic animal ownership.
To contribute to better exotic animal welfare in your community, contact your local government and encourage them to implement or strengthen exotic animal bylaws incorporating a positive list. You can also download the BC SPCA’s Model Animal Responsibility Bylaws for guidance.
Alt text: Chameleon on a branch, another example of an exotic reptile whose ownership is regulated in British Columbia, emphasizing the importance of understanding local and provincial laws.
In conclusion, while raccoons are not explicitly on the CAS list, it is highly unlikely and effectively illegal to keep a raccoon as a pet in British Columbia due to the Wildlife Act and the general permit restrictions on wildlife ownership. Furthermore, municipal bylaws may impose additional restrictions. Choosing to admire raccoons in their natural habitat and supporting stronger exotic animal regulations is the most responsible and ethical approach.
