Texas bans private raccoon ownership due to health and safety risks, allowing only permits for professionals.

In Texas, owning a raccoon as a pet is illegal without a special permit, which is only issued to wildlife rehabilitators, zoos, educational groups, and researchers. The state bans private ownership due to health risks like rabies, raccoons' inability to be domesticated, and their destructive behavior. Unauthorized possession can lead to fines or jail time. Experts urge the public to admire raccoons in nature or at accredited facilities instead.