By Bob Paterson Yes, it can be legal to own an opossum in Illinois, but you generally need a Fur-bearing Mammal Breeder Permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Virginia opossum is classified as a protected furbearing mammal under the Illinois Wildlife Code. State law does not treat an opossum like an ordinary dog, cat, or other domestic pet, and simply finding or capturing a wild opossum does not give someone an unrestricted right to keep it.
What Does Illinois Law Say About Owning an Opossum?
Illinois specifically lists the Virginia opossum as a furbearing mammal protected by the Wildlife Code.
Illinois law states that an individual who holds, possesses, breeds, or raises a live protected furbearing mammal is considered a furbearing mammal breeder for purposes of the law.
Before doing so, the individual generally must obtain a Fur-bearing Mammal Breeder Permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Therefore, keeping an opossum permanently at home without considering the permit requirement can amount to unlawful possession of protected wildlife.
What Permit Do You Need to Own an Opossum?
A person who wants to legally possess a captive opossum generally needs an Illinois Fur-bearing Mammal Breeder Permit.
Despite the word “breeder” in its name, the permit is not limited to commercial breeders. Illinois law applies the requirement to someone who merely holds or possesses a protected live furbearing mammal as well.
The annual permit fee is currently $25, and permits expire on March 31.
Permit holders may possess, raise, breed, sell, or otherwise lawfully dispose of covered furbearing mammals in accordance with Illinois wildlife laws and regulations.
Can You Catch a Wild Opossum and Keep It as a Pet?
No, a Fur-bearing Mammal Breeder Permit by itself does not give someone permission to capture a wild opossum whenever they want and convert it into a household pet.
The Illinois Wildlife Code expressly states that the permit does not authorize the taking of furbearing mammals from the wild contrary to other provisions of the Wildlife Code.
Wild opossums are subject to Illinois hunting, trapping, possession, and wildlife-management rules.
Therefore, someone who sees an opossum in a backyard or finds a young one outdoors should not assume that taking the animal home is legal merely because an opossum breeder permit can be obtained.
What if You Find an Orphaned Baby Opossum?
Finding an apparently orphaned opossum does not automatically create a right to keep it permanently.
Wildlife rehabilitation is regulated separately from ordinary captive ownership. A sick, injured, or genuinely orphaned wild animal should normally be referred to an appropriately licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Young opossums may also appear abandoned when human intervention is not actually necessary.
Someone intending to rescue an injured animal should contact an Illinois wildlife rehabilitator or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources rather than treating the rescue as an opportunity to acquire a pet.
Does the Opossum Have to Be Legally Acquired?
Yes, lawful acquisition is important when keeping a protected furbearing mammal.
Illinois requires furbearing mammal permit holders to maintain records concerning acquisitions, sales, and other transfers of covered animals.
The records generally must show information such as the date of the transaction and the identity of the person from whom the animal was obtained or to whom it was transferred.
Records must generally be retained for two years and produced to authorized officials when requested.
Failure to establish lawful possession can result in the animal being treated as contraband under Illinois wildlife law.
Can You Breed Opossums in Illinois?
Yes, a person holding the appropriate Fur-bearing Mammal Breeder Permit may generally breed or raise protected furbearing mammals, including opossums, subject to applicable Illinois regulations.
However, the permit holder must comply with recordkeeping and lawful-acquisition requirements.
Breeding animals can also trigger other regulations depending on whether the person sells them commercially, operates an animal business, or keeps a significant number of animals.
Local zoning and animal-control laws may impose additional restrictions.
Can You Sell a Captive Opossum?
Potentially, a properly permitted furbearing mammal breeder may sell or otherwise dispose of legally possessed furbearing mammals.
Illinois requires records of these transactions and allows the buyer to receive documentation establishing the lawful source of the animal.
The receiving person must also have whatever authorization Illinois law requires before taking possession.
A seller therefore should not treat an opossum like an ordinary household pet that can simply be advertised and handed to any buyer.
Can Local Governments Ban Pet Opossums?
Yes, a state wildlife permit does not necessarily guarantee that an opossum can be kept at every Illinois residence.
Cities, villages, and counties may maintain local ordinances regulating wild, exotic, or nondomestic animals. Zoning rules can also determine where certain animals may be housed.
A landlord or homeowners association may impose additional restrictions on animals kept at a particular property.
Anyone considering an opossum should therefore check the municipal or county rules in addition to obtaining the required state authorization.
Can You Release a Captive Opossum Into the Wild?
No, a captive opossum should not simply be released outdoors when the owner no longer wants it.
Illinois regulates the release of captive furbearing mammals. Permit holders who import such animals into Illinois may release them only after applicable health and disease-prevention requirements have been met and permission from the Department has been obtained.
Releasing captive wildlife without proper authorization can create ecological, animal-welfare, and disease-control problems.
An owner who can no longer keep an animal should arrange a lawful transfer or contact the appropriate wildlife authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is an opossum the same thing as a possum under Illinois law?
Illinois law specifically refers to the Virginia opossum. “Possum” is commonly used informally in the United States, but the animal native to Illinois is the Virginia opossum.
Q2. Can you own an opossum without breeding it?
Yes, but the permit requirement can still apply. Illinois defines a furbearing mammal breeder broadly enough to include someone who merely holds or possesses a protected live furbearing mammal.
Q3. Can a landlord prohibit a legally permitted opossum?
Yes, an IDNR permit does not override a valid lease or property rule. A landlord may prohibit wild or exotic animals even when state wildlife law otherwise allows possession with a permit.
Q4. Can a wildlife rehabilitator give a recovered wild opossum to someone as a pet?
Not simply because the animal has been rehabilitated. Wildlife rehabilitation operates under separate rules concerning possession and disposition of wild animals. A rehabilitated wild opossum cannot automatically be transferred into ordinary private pet ownership.