So you're contemplating a raccoon as a pet, and you're probably full of questions. So whether this has been a life long dream, or it's just a sudden impulse, let me give you some things to think on, before your race out, and bring a furry critter home. This is a, very literally, life changing decision that should take months of deliberation.
1. Do you live alone, or with other people? If you live alone, you may be very capable of caring for a raccoon on your own, then you must ask yourself yet another question, who will care for your coon while you're out? If your raccoon is frequently alone, it is likely that it will begin to return to it's wild instincts. Raccoons need to be constantly handled, and to have run of your home, in order to stay calm and manageable. So if you live alone, and lead a busy lifestyle, that keeps you away from home for long hours, then this is most definitely not the pet for you.
If you live with others you must consider, Will a raccoon fit into everyone in the household's life style? For instance, if you live with your parents, friends or a roommate, are they okay with you bringing a wild animal into the home? If the answer is no, then this is not the animal for you. Raccoons want to investigate every inch of the home, and everyone in it. If someone in the home is uncomfortable with pets, this is only grounds for disaster. A raccoon is not always a respecter of persons or property. If you are head of household, take into consideration how your kids may take it. If they younger kids, who are rough with pets, they more then likely, will get bit at some point. You need to try and imagine worse case scenario here, like how would you take it, or how would your spouse? If you find yourself thinking, "I'd kill that damn raccoon!", then a raccoon is not for you! You must always have in mind, "If it has a mouth, it will bite." Period.
2. Do you travel a lot, or have a very busy schedule? As I stated above, if you are gone a lot, and not spending time with your raccoon, it will most likely regress into it's natural state of wild. Raccoons are not a domestic animal, like a dog or cat, so if they are not provided with constant enrichment, and attention, they will go back to the way they were intended to be. Most states do not allow you to bring wild animals in and out, so taking them with you, is typically out of the question. Some people have a close friend stay with pets if they will be gone for an extended period, but doing so with a raccoon all depends on what the raccoon thinks of that person. Raccoons typically only trust, and are friendly to, the people living in their home, all others are viewed as strangers. You need to be very cautious of who you leave alone with your raccoon. For your coons safety, as well as the persons.
3. Do you have lots of visitors or strangers to your house? Think about everyone who shows up to your home. Friends, in-laws, buisness acquaintances who are coming to work on the next big project, children you babysitt, your children's friends from school, clients to your home busienss. All of these people, who may frequent your home, may be viewed as intruders, by your raccoon. Imagine how devistating it would be to have your raccoon attack a child that was over for a slumber party with your kids. You couldn't blame the raccoon, as it may have felt it was protecting it's family (i.e. your child), but the game commission would not view it in this light. Also imagine your mother in-law's next weekend visit, and her waking up to your coon trying to "investigate" her luggage. Not everyone in the world may be so thrilled about your "pet".
4. What are the laws on owning a raccoon where you live? Most states have specific laws on owning wild life, and require you to obtain various permits through you states Game Commission. You should contact your states game commission directly, and they will be able to provide you with the laws, and what you can do to make your dream of owning a raccoon possible.
I live in Pennsylvania, and here the laws to owning a raccoon as a pet, in a private setting are that the raccoon must be purchased from a USDA, and state licensed breeder, within the state. You may not buy one from another state, it is illegal. So in order to get ours, we had to buy from a breeder within Pennsylvania. In Pa, you must also keep your receipt of purchase, as this becomes your permit to own. You may not breed your pet either. If it is a pet, and you get no further permits from the state, then any litters your raccoon would produce would be illegal. Also your raccoon must kept inside your home, and may not be housed outside. They are not to be taken around the general public. These are not a pet to show and tell, as if someone were to receive a bite and report it, it is likely that your raccoon would be confiscated, and tested for rabies.
5. Are there reputable, licensed breeders near you? The best thing your can do is google "raccoon breeders in...(where you live)", and go from there. You can even ask the game commission member when you speak to them about the laws, and see who they may know of. Take into strong consideration how far you are willing to travel to pick up a kit. Some breeders will ship kits by plane, but think about your poor little kit all alone in a cold shipping crate. This has to be horrifying to them, and I think it best that you pick up directly so that it can cuddle you for the trip home.
The breeder that we are purchasing from lives about an hour and a half from us, so the trip is completely doable. Also my fiance and I will be making the trip together, so that one of us can hold our kit, while the other drives. I will be doing another post, very soon on picking a good breeder, and elaborate on it then.
6. Is there a veterinarian near you, that is qualified to, and willing to care for your raccoon? Not just any dog or cat vet, can care for your raccoon. Raccoons have very specific needs, and using a vet that is not educated for caring for wildlife, could even cost them, their life. Raccoons required a dead rabies vaccine, and cannot be given the live virus. Also they should not be given vaccines created for ferrets. Some vaccines they need are intended for dogs, and others for cats, and being given the wrong one, can sometimes result in your raccoon contracting the disease that the shot is intended to prevent. Also with raccoons being so curious, they can sometimes get hurt and may require immediate medical attention. So be sure to call around and have a vet lined up before you make a raccoon purchase.
7. Are you willing to put up with all the destruction that a raccoon can leave in it's wake? Raccoons are intelligent, inquisitive creatures, who want to inspect and explore everything. They will go through cabinets, closets, dressers, clothes baskets, jewelry boxes, and entertainment stands. They will climb drapes, knock things off shelves, dig in house plants, fill your toilet with their loot, and chew on wires. They can dig through drywall and carpet, and even turn on faucets. So your home will need to be childproofed just as you would do for a toddler. Raccoons need constant supervision, and even then, if their mind is made up, they will still do as they please. They must be worked with from the time you bring them home, on what they are expected to leave alone in the home. It helps to provide them with lots of toys, and ample climbing areas, but even then, still be prepared for messes.
8. Are you patient, and calm? If the answer is no, then do not get a raccoon. You will be cleaning up their messes and chasing them around from the time they wake up, until the time they go to bed. (Which may be from the time you typically have gone to bed.) If they wish to play and your are sleeping, then that means, you are getting up to play. If you loose your temper easily, this is just going to cause you to have a vicious creature on your hands. The only discipline that is suitable for a raccoon is "scruffing" it, as the mother would, but only when it's a kit, stern "No's" and time outs. Hitting or screaming at your raccoon will cause it to become extremely aggressive. There's no room for violence when housing a raccoon, (or any other living creature for that matter!)
9. Do you have the means to care for a raccoon? Raccoons are very expensive pets! They typically run, price wise, $350.00 to $500.00, depending on the color you choose, and male or female. It is strongly advised that you have your raccoon fixed, which will usually run about the same as fixing a small dog. Some vets require that you let them do a rabies vaccine, in order to treat your raccoon in the future, but not all do, because there is no truly approved vaccine for raccoons. This is why they can still be confiscated, and tested for rabies, in the event of a bite. You should get your raccoon vaccinated for distemper as well, if you have a dog, that is frequently around other dogs, as distemper is an airborne disease. Other costs will include frequent wormings, to prevent round worm, which can be lethal to humans. And most expensive is FEEDING! Raccoon's diets required high grade dog or cat foods, fresh fruits and veggies, and cooked meats like chicken or fish. A raccoon eating only low quality dog or cat foods will not be a healthy one. They are omnivores, so they need a little of everything. So if you and your family are on a tight budget, then you should wait to bring a raccoon home untill you are in a better state financially.
10. Are you willing to be responsible for this pet, regardless of whether it meets your expectations, for the rest of it's life? This is the most important of all! If your raccoon isn't all you dreamed it would be, are you still willing to provide it with an enriched, and healthy life. Raccoons in captivity can live to be 10-15 years old, and some are on record for living to their 20's! If your raccoon turns out to be on the unfriendly, or unruley side, are you still going to provide for it. In most states, it is illegal to just turn a raccoon loose into the wild, unless going through a wild life rehabber. So many rehabbers end up with "pet" raccoons, that have become "vicious", and they have to work for months or even years to help the animal regain all it's instincts. If you want a cute baby coon, then you need to know your are making a commitment to a future moody, possibly 35lb beast.
I hope that you will give clear thought to the questions that I have provided you with. As I said before, this is a life changing decision, not to be taken lightly. Everyone living under your roof will be effected, if you bring home a raccoon, and you need to do your research!
*Pictures for this post curtesy of photobucket.com .
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