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Raccoons aren't common pets for good reason. You are not researched or prepared for the effort it takes to care for a pet raccoon. Never take a raccoon from the wild to raise as a pet. 211 0 obj <>stream However, scientists are finding evidence against this and speculate this action is based on instinct. Raccoons often learn their names and can learn other commands, but whether they choose to heed your calls will be entirely up to them. Most adult raccoons need two meals per day in the early morning and late evening, though follow your vet's advice on this. These beautiful puppies were rescued from a high American Bulldog - Basil The Bulldog Puppy - Large - Baby - Male He is Silver (or light gray) with black spots on his Tabby - Brown - Zoey - Medium - Adult - Female - Cat Class II carnivores until they reach 25 pounds or 6 months of age, whichever comes first, Class II primates until they reach 12 months of age, Cats: ocelots, servals, caracals, bobcats, African golden cats, Temmincks golden cats, and fishing cats, Non-human primates: uakaris, sakis, and guenons (except patas monkeys, De Brazzas monkeys, blue monkeys, Preusss monkeys, or any other member of Cercopithecus which exceeds the normal adult weight of 14 pounds on average for the species). They will attack humans if they feel threatened. They are extremely high maintenance and fairly unpredictable, which is why most animal experts advise against keeping them as pets. A comfortable raccoon will exhibit all of these personality traits and more. Thus, it's best to acquire a pet raccoon from a reputable breeder. Its instinctual for raccoons to form bonds in their youth. The raccoon may not even exhibit sickly behavior with this type of roundworm, especially since the egg spores can live dry and inactive for years. If rabies isnt cured before symptoms set in, it will kill whoever has it. Yes, you can find raccoons in Florida during the day. On average, raccoons reach around 16 to 28 inches long, and they weigh between 7 and 20 pounds. Because raccoons are carriers of rabies, more than 20 states ban pet raccoons. Be sure to watch how much you are feeding your pet raccoon. If they must be indoors, they deserve a similarly idyllic space to play and explore daily. Just be aware that if your raccoon feels threatened, it will bite. Do not begin housing a feral adult or baby raccoon that you have found in the wild, even if you live in one of the above states. Here is a table that lists states where its legal to own a pet raccoonm including any state-specific laws concerning pet raccoon ownership: Dont forget to also find a reputable vet and have a thorough examination completed on your new pet for your and your households safety. Because of their complex, wild, and unique personalities, pet raccoons are not for everyone. They arent domesticated, and unlike dogs or cats, their flexible digits mean that doors and jars and other items that might have previously been safe are not safe whatsoever. In the wild, raccoons are used to staying constantly by their family for the first year of their life. Class II species must be housed on properties which are either owned or leased by the applicant (see next tab for exceptions). Raccoons may be cute and exhibit behaviors not unlike a friendly dog, but there are serious downsides. Before even considering a pet raccoon, you shouldbe aware of your local and state/provincial laws. Unfortunately, too many humans take in a raccoon, only to realize how truly wild the animal is, and then they give or shoo the raccoon away. Before meeting your potential new pet, decide on housing, feeding, exercise routines, and extra precautions that would all need to be taken care of before the pet can be brought home. Any injured, orphaned, or abandoned animals must be brought to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator for rehabilitation. Read further in this article for an in-depth look at what it takes to raise a raccoon. He was abandoned in our My story 3. Mothballs To Repel Raccoons. It is not legal to keep a raccoon as a pet in Florida. You can expect to pay between $300 to $500 per raccoon, on average. Rebecca was from thenceforward, the White Houses pet raccoon. Raccoons are omnivores, just like humans. Recounts of pet raccoons include that raccoons can be trained to walk on a leash, but this is rare and often temporary, as in for walks only. Allow them to play with the bar of soap in their bath. However, raccoons are too active to be content in a cage for several hours. Adult raccoons have reached sexual maturity, meaning they are likely aggressive, especially if they werent raised in captivity or are stuck with different humans than those who raised them. These animals require a lot of space, upkeep, and supervision. They're quite big so a scuffle may cause fractures, scratches, and bites plus a huge . That means you'll need to regularly change their water and feed them in a location where it's easy to clean up. If you want to keep an exotic animal like this one in Florida but arent sure what the laws are about it, contact us at 813-903-1177 today so we can answer all of your questions about whether or not youre allowed to have one! This is bad for the safety, legality, and livelihood of your pet raccoon, who may be forced to be put down and tested for rabies. A certain level of care and appropriate understanding of the animal is required to keep a pet raccoon. Rebecca was also allowed to roam the yard, climbing any trees in her vicinity. Submit application with payment by mail to P.O. Feed raccoon babies four to eight times a day. Its rare, but it does happen. If you dont live in a state that allows housing a raccoon, please do not obtain one. Interact with it and picture yourself taking care of him alone. On the flip-side some days your pet raccoon will not want to be near you. But in a suburban or urban environment, raccoons are much more likely to wander out during the day. Can I have a raccoon as a pet in Florida? By keeping your pet raccoon in a small, uncomfortable enclosure that doesnt allow room for play, you are raising an upset, unfriendly, and most importantly unhappy animal. However, their sharp claws and teeth can easily destroy your property. Laws. They also have impressive memories. Arkansas. Are pet raccoons legal in the US? What does it mean if someone is a badger? There are many health concerns to be aware of for yourself and other pets you may have when housing a raccoon. No permit is needed to possess the following species as a personal pet: nonvenomous and unprotected reptiles or amphibians, gerbils, hedgehogs, honey possums, sugar gliders, rats, mice, moles, shrews, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, domestic ferrets, European ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, prairie dogs, chinchillas, shell parakeets, canaries, lovebirds, cockatiels, parrots, finches, myna birds, toucans, ringed doves, ruddy doves, diamond doves, and button quail. They should also be able to show you the proper handle of the animal, and they should provide you with all history they have of the pet. Expect to pay between $300 and $700 on average, though this can vary widely. Its important to note that raccoons are wild animals and not domesticated. Can you feed it a healthy diet with the correct nutrition? That means your furniture, bed sheets, door frames, kitchen appliances, curtains, and even your walls and ceilings are at risk of being mauled by this pet. This wild nature of raccoons needs to be expected going into the serious responsibility of owning one. Dont let their smarts fool you these are also some of the most playful creatures! One letter must be from a Florida license holder for the wildlife being applied for (preferably the license holder overseeing the experience) or a representative of a professional organization or governmental institution, including veterinarians. Short on cash? Your average adult raccoon is a little over two feet long from snout to hind and weighs somewhere between 10 and 20 lbs. According to the Florida Administrative Code, it is illegal to own Class I animals and Class II animals require a permit. . 178 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<4D1533A5421D58449FA3BF9595C379BE>]/Index[147 65]/Info 146 0 R/Length 141/Prev 356757/Root 148 0 R/Size 212/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Freeze food in a bucket, then removing the food to make a frozen treat. Raccoons may be cute and exhibit behaviors not unlike a friendly dog, but there are serious downsides. It's legal to own a pet raccoon in the following states: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. But it's still very important to take your pet for regular vet visits. Owning a raccoon as a pet isnt easy, either. Box 6150, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6150. We would also suggest calling your home insurer, to see if they will cover damage from a pet raccoon. Title of content: We Are All Alone In The Universe Label for this section: Introduction, What this section does: Introduces the rest of the blog post. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Their wild nature will persist, and a pet-owner relationship with a raccoon is best nurtured if understood from this vantage point. Many people build their own pen from wood and screening. 1 Tampa pet raccoons. This American Bulldog - Romeo The Bulldog Puppy - Large - Baby - Male No matter what, dont expect your pet raccoons living space to stay clean. And those are only a few of the symptoms that make it obvious this is not an illness you want for you or your pet. Importation is illegal. For example, what happens to your raccoon if it gets loose? Your email address will not be published. Thanks to their intelligence, most pet raccoons are able to learn their name and even a few commands, such as sit and shake.. Before raccoons experience these hormonal changes, its recommended that you take them to the vet for sterilization surgery, and either have your raccoon spayed or neutered. They only require occasional baths with a mild shampoo. Carefully consider your options before adopting. Also, consider extra structure or outside paneling for your enclosure as they can escape! Indiana. The law is designed to protect people, the environment and the raccoons themselves. The vet will know how to prepare this animal for its healthiest life in captivity which could include vaccinations, extra precautions, and even dietary restrictions. Plus, raccoons have dietary needs and health issues that can be difficult to manage. LEGAL ; A permit is required to sell, possess, or transport live raccoons. Are Raccoons Rodents , Marsupials or Vermins? These egg spores can become airborne, making it all too easy to become infected. To possess Class II wildlife, requirements related to experience documentation, facility, and caging must be met (see bottom of page). Anyone wishing to keep wildlife as a pet must obtain a permit/license before possessing the animal. Pets and Animals Brooksville 1 $. If you find a baby raccoon in the wild that is weak or injured, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation services right away so they can properly handle the situation. Raccoons are intelligent enough to problem solve, and they can easily use their wit to get themselves in or out of trouble. New baby-raccoon owners will often think twice about their decision to raise a raccoon once it has turned six months or so because their personalities can shift drastically. Captive-bred raccoons do not pose much of a threat with rabies-like wild raccoons do (which are not legal), especially if they are kept indoors. 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