'Q&A: Racoon wanted for pet'

Q&A: Racoon wanted for pet

By Blog Answers at 01/19/09 19:44

On 12/15/08 14:16, Danell asked the following question:

Hi I'm looking for a raccoon baby or adult for a pet, if anyone has any for sale or knows anybody around PA with 200 miles of Butler please contact me

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Answer #1 On 01/19/09 13:56, Lynn from New York City answered:

I am not sure what has prompted you to look for a raccoon for a pet but I would like to try and talk you out of it.

I had a girlfriend who had a raccoon that she had raised from a baby. It was very docile. She kept it in an enclosed chain link fence outside year round. It was a very nice pet until it got older. Then when the girl went away to college, the raccoon turned very nasty.

You couldn't even walk by the cage without that thing jumping against the side of the enclosure and hissing at you.

Raccoons are wild animals. They are not meant to be kept as pets. They have the capability to trash your house and not even blink an eye trying to escape.here are some things to consider even if you ARE able to obtain one:

• Make sure it is legal for your to own a raccoon as a pet in your state. Some states will allow you to have a wild animal as a pet but you must first obtain a permit to have it. They may also have requirements for its care and housing that you have to follow.
• Make sure there is a veterinarian in your area or that is accessible to you in case of emergency. Do NOT assume any veterinarian will tend to your raccoon even if you say he is tame. You will also have to have your raccoon vaccinated against rabies and distemper.
• Bear in mind that if your "tame" raccoon bites someone, it will be confiscated if it bites someone and they report it. You will not pass go or collect $200 before this happens.

If I haven't talked you out of getting a raccoon for a pet, please read this post until you have forgotten that notion.

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The fact that you mention that you are willing to accept an adult raccoon as a pet, means that you are clueless about the whole issue. Only baby raccoons can become good pets, and they need as much attention as a human baby.

I had a raccoon as a pet that I rescued at a young age from people like (maybe you) who wanted an exotic pet but were not willing to make a real effort to care about the animal as they care for themselves. That is a selfish attitude and it will only make the raccoon miserable.

The raccoon was one of the best pets I've ever had, a real best friend until it died. Adorable, intelligent, obedient, huggable and playful.

This is a short list of what is required from you in exchange for that:

1. You can't abandon them. They create strong bonds with their human, as a parent and a friend. And they are not independent, nor able to live on their own once domesticated.

2. You should spent time with them EVERY day, just like with your own children.

3. You should be able to interpret their behavior. Experience with other pets is a must, with other wild pets is desired.

4. You should be willing to give them their own space in the house, their own bedroom (good size, NOT a cage!).

5. You should be willing to have your must treasured belongings destroyed. They know what is important to you and will respect it, unless you fail to care for what is important for them. (eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth). i.e if you don't feed them when expected (they do follow a routine), if you hurt them physically or emotionally, if you don't give them attention one day, they will show you how pissed off/frustrated/disappointed they are, and they are very good at doing so.

6. Be ready to spend a fortune equipping your house raccoon-proof.

7. Be ready to cancel vacations or other travel plans if they can't come with you or if you can't pay a specialized keeper to take care of them.

8. Be ready to limit your visits. If a person gets bitten, your raccoon may be confiscated and euthanized.

By this time it should be obvious to you, that they live INSIDE the house and that they are free (NOT CHAINED). They are not for your entertainment, they are meant to be a part of the family.

In summary, if you are willing to take care for a being that requires the energy, money and attention of a 3yr old human during 10-16 years, then you can still consider having one. Otherwise, get yourself a snake, that needs a mouse every two weeks.

ok,i live in florida like u know alot of trees around lol, well in my work someone found a baby racoon and that person just giv eit to me ,and well is a cute animal but i have no time to take care of it and i dont know what to do with it ,i cant just live it somewhere cz is gonna die and i realy love animals so, I would be so happy if someone wants it, so if u interested sent me a mail at:keeps.gettinbetter@hotmai.com

i i have a baby raccoon still on the bottle that i'm selling for 50.00 and i live a Total of 1 hour 54 minutes

Total Distance: 109.07 miles from PA,Butler if your still interested in having one as a pet meny poeple will make it seem like having a raccoon is good to be crazy,no one will visit,they will turn on you they will never make a good pet, but they are great pets you will have to train and give it attion and they are like cats you can have them go to the cat box they are great pet so don't lisn to people they don't know.but please if you still interest e-mail me at mixedmaya@yahoo.com

Can anyone tell me where to go to get a complete list of what states its legal to have a racoon as a pet? Or to buy one? Thank you

Its funny how everyone is commenting on how stupid it is to want or raise a raccoon when they themselves have owned one. lol I wouldn't consider having a pet unless I knew I was going to spend time with it everyday! To get a raccoon or any animal for that matter only to keep it fenced in and ignored is idiotic (animal abuse)! I was driving my car today and noticed a baby raccoon on the side of the road, sitting near its three dead family members who were all obviously ran over. The lil baby raccoon had been sitting there for some time because when I went to move one off the roadside it was stiff. The poor lil guy must have either been confused or just upset that his siblings were dead. He climbed a tree 5 feet away from me and stared with tears coming from its eyes. Would I raise the lil guy,..yea if I could catch him. Sometimes we don't ask for what we get, sometimes it falls into our lap. I want to catch him and get him seen by a vet. Is this possible and legal in NY? And leave the negative comments top yourself please. I want to save the lil guy if he can't take care of himself.

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