Keeping your pet in a carrier or cage inside of your vehicle when its being transported with you on a car or plane trip, Hiring someone else (like an employee at an animal shelter) who has proper permits from their municipality to take care of your pet while theyre away from home. That means it takes a lot of effort to care for them. She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets. So the majority of a pet raccoon's time should be spent roaming your house: playing, climbing on things, exploring, and being mischievous. These beautiful puppies were rescued from a high kill American Bulldog - Timber The Bull-lab - Large - Adult - Male But with raccoons, its best to stay guarded either way. Their color generally is a grizzled salt-and-pepper gray and black with a light belly. You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website. Raccoons are very difficult to care for, as they need regular supervision and ample space. Anyone wishing to bring their Class II pet out in public should obtain a license for, Paper application may be completed and mailed to 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399 or emailed to, Anyone wishing to bring their Class III pet out in public should obtain a license for. Never take a raccoon from the wild to raise as a pet. Raccoons can also be trained to use a litter box, and this is recommended for easy pet clean-up. If youre skeptical in any way, it is not recommended that you keep a raccoon for a pet. Not only would communication require mutual understanding and learning each others language (or even gesture systems), but also an ability to decipher another species intentionsboth which seem improbable at best given how differently humans think compared with animals like our pets dogs or cats! Treats, such as nuts and other fatty foods, should be offered sparingly to prevent obesity. These egg spores can become airborne, making it all too easy to become infected. And many do become quite cuddly or playful at times. If they don't have enough of their own toys to play withor they're just curious or boredyou might find them chewing on your door frames, ripping up your bedsheets, knocking over decor items, and more. The most famous example of a pet raccoon would be Rebecca the Raccoon of the White House under the presidency of Calvin Coolidge, whose whole family cared for her. Do you need a permit for a racoon in Florida? To possess Class II wildlife, requirements related to experience documentation, facility, and caging must be met (see bottom of page). Its safe to say that as a species, raccoons have decided to keep it that way. But pet racoons like to play as much as they like to cuddle. The Health and Habitat Considerations of Pet Raccoons. Even a baby raccoon can be dangerous because it may carry rabies or other diseases. After caring for animals in her veterinarian practice, Lianne went on to study biology and research water quality and chronic disease at theUniversity of Saskatchewan. Can I have a raccoon as a pet in Florida? A permit/license is required to keep wildlife as a personal pet at a permanent residence in Florida and a permit/license is also required for temporary possession of a pet while visiting Florida. Raccoons and dogs can transfer canine distemper, a deadly disease, to each other. Keep your pet raccoon away from anything you dont want it touching. 3. Fun. For that reason, its important to check all possible escape routes of your pet raccoon so it doesnt get out. Visit with the animal in person before you commit; don't acquire an animal over the internet or via a classified ad. Ideally, they should be allowed to move freely around your living area and provided with branches, shelves, and other items to climb for exercise. In turn, also do not release your pet raccoon, for any reason, back into the wild, as it will die. Captive raccoons douse their food in water, and they appear to be cleaning it. Litter training them is similar to how one would teach a cat to use a litter box. Once the raccoon baby is about six weeks old, begin introducing food to it such as human baby food or bits of fruit. Interact with it and picture yourself taking care of him alone. You can help keep raccoons wild by not feeding them, or any other animals. What does this mean for you? Theyll exhibit odd behaviors like staggered, erratic walking, with their backs arched up, discharge from their eyes or mouth that wets their face, and repetitive high-pitched noise making. Captive raccoons can be prone to obesity if they aren't given enough space to roam. A dish of clean water should be available at all times. In Florida, unlike 13 other states, anyone is allowed to own a wolfdog. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks to their face markings that help them to look like thieves, raccoons always seem just a little mischievous from their looks alone. At the end of the day, raccoons did not allow themselves to be domesticated the same way dogs and cats have been. He is Silver (or light gray) with black spots on his Tabby - Brown - Zoey - Medium - Adult - Female - Cat You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website. Once you have determined the type of wildlife you plan to own, you can download the appropriate application below for possession of that type of wildlife. If you do keep a raccoon as a pet and are caught by the authorities, you can be charged with a misdemeanor and/or felony. Raccoons have been long established to be bandits, so they enjoy having a place to stash their finds and their food. If your state permits owning pet raccoons and you want to add one to your family, you'll need to find a reputable raccoon breeder who breeds domestic raccoons to be pets in homes. B.Sc 1st Sem Electrical Appliances Questions, BA 1st Sem Economics Questions and Answers. If youve already checked the laws in your state and have decided to adopt a pet raccoon, then expect to pay an adoption fee. Ironically, many of the reasons that raccoons can make excellent pets for some people are also why they're not a good fit for others. Should You Keep a Panther Chameleon as a Pet? Once they reach sexual maturity, an adult raccoon becomes much harder to train, bond with, and ultimately tame. Ohio's exotic-animal law was enacted in 2012. Raccoons are known for their sly and, at times, downright destructive behavior. Obtain all required and suggested vaccines at the vet, and check for any unusual signs in your new pet. Ask your vet about portion sizes your pet raccoon should eat based on their age and exercise habits. Panhandle Exotics. The experience must span at least one calendar year. Owning a raccoon as a pet isnt easy, either. Raccoons are complete troublemakers, so keeping them away from humans, especially children, is a smart idea. 2 Bird cages. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. If youve taken your pet raccoon home or acquired one, it is crucial to find a certified vet that can handle wild animals as pets. Exotic Animal Laws by State.Findlaw, https://www.findlaw.com/injury/torts-and-personal-injuries/exotic-animal-laws-by-state.html. They're quite big so a scuffle may cause fractures, scratches, and bites plus a huge . That is typically illegal in most places unless you're a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Welcome to Happy Raccoons Home! Your family members or other pets are uncomfortable with the raccoon, or they dont get along. Even mild-tempered raccoons can have a mean streak or a sudden outburst in the form of an attack. Prior to acquiring a raccoon as a pet, contact exotic veterinarians in your area to find one who specializes in this animal and is willing to take one on as a patient. Some raccoons may enjoy food puzzles, which are more like food obstacle courses that the raccoon must complete to access their treat. Raccoons are omnivores, just like humans. When GREAT Rescue learned of Emily in a Florida shelter and Chicken coops and tractors! Yes, raccoons can be kept as a pet in Florida. Arkansas. Your pet raccoon can be vaccinated for rabies with a canine rabies vaccine, but the vaccine isnt proven to be effective in raccoons. View Details Raccoons Name: Randy Posted: 08/23/2022 Phone: 641-672-2067 Location: Iowa A proper breeder will be responsive and helpful with any questions you have. Your pet raccoon should also be vaccinated against canine distemper. South Carolina. All raccoons are wild animals, no matter how domesticated, and it should be assumed that anything in your raccoons space may get destroyed. A personal pet permit/license authorizes keeping a pet at a specified address, traveling with a pet, and taking a pet to the vet. Its common. Its rare, but it does happen. Raccoons are wild animals. Wild raccoons dont often live to be older than three years. Are sugar gliders legal in Florida? In Florida, it is illegal to keep a raccoon as a pet. Your average adult raccoon is a little over two feet long from snout to hind and weighs somewhere between 10 and 20 lbs. Raccoons tend to go through a heavy shedding period at least once a year, as well as in times of stress. While they generally only live a few years in the wild, raccoons can live up to 20 years as pets. , Class II Wildlife. Encountering a Raccoon -What to Do If a Raccoon, How Smart Are Raccoons - Raccoon Intelligence FACTS, Do Mothballs Keep Raccoons Away? Most experts advise against keeping them as pets because of this. Anyone wishing to possess the above species must obtain two letters of reference regarding their experience as described above. More animals are also on the prohibited list, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Baylisascaris in humans can be disastrous as this roundworm can make its way to the brain, cause blindness, and even cause loss of muscle control. And as active animals, they need lots of space to roam. Exotic Pet Ownership Laws By State WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. They need lots of safe space to roam and consistent supervision. Another health concern for raccoons living in captivity is obesity, which is common in pet raccoons. The law is designed to protect people, the environment and the raccoons themselves. Why are pet raccoons illegal? Indiana. Additionally, you cant take your raccoon out in public. Well also look at the logistics of keeping a pet raccoon including the legality, regulation, and potential health concerns. 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. If you find a raccoon that has been domesticated or rehabilitated, they can be a loving and playful pet. Infected raccoons and bats can expose people . Baby raccoons require extensive amounts of care and attention. In fact, its illegal to own raccoons entirely in Floridaand many other places around the world. Allow them to play with the bar of soap in their bath. If you require shelter for a pet raccoon that you can no longer care for, call your local wildlife rehabilitation center to help you. If your pet corners a raccoon, the raccoon would get defensive. According to the Florida Administrative Code, it is illegal to own Class I animals and Class II animals require a permit. Aggressive raccoons will be all the more destructive if theyve already reached sexual maturity. Not only will rabies be incurable and deadly for your pet raccoon, but it can and will spread to your other pets, your loved ones, and yourself. So they are best kept solo. The state bans many, many animals as pets as per R12-4-406 Restricted Live Wildlife of the state's administrative code, including but certainly not limited to chipmunks (all squirrels), prairie dogs, deer, foxes, sloths, opossums, bats, nonhuman primates, and anteaters. Experts recommend spending time around raccoons via wildlife rehabilitation or exotic veterinary practices to see what they're really like. 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