How Do I Register My Pet As A Service Animal?

Photo Courtesy: Tito the Raccoon/YouTube

Have you e'er wanted to pal around with a pet raccoon? Well, if you lot live in one of united states that permit pet raccoons, that dream could exist a reality. So, which states permit for raccoon domestication? The list includes:

Arkansas
Delaware
Florida
Indiana
Nebraska
Due north Carolina
S Carolina
Virginia
Michigan
Wyoming
Wisconsin
Texas
Rhode Island
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Westward Virginia

But but because you can adopt a pet raccoon, does that mean you should? After all, there are quite a few logistical hoops to jump through permit-wise — and a lot of hard-and-fast rules. For example, in Arkansas, a person tin't own more than five raccoons at a time. In Indiana and other states, the owner must accept a wild creature let. And, in N Carolina, a veterinarian must "approve" the animal before it's brought into the state.

Is It Safe to Accept a Raccoon As a Pet?

Aside from the legality issues in some states, you may also want to consider your lifestyle and admission to resources. Although that may sound like run-of-the-mill pet adoption communication, it'southward also true that raccoons are not your average business firm pets. For example, acquiring a raccoon pet is much more difficult than adopting a cat or dog. Attempting to domesticate the wild raccoon who visits your yard is a terrible thought, and so, if you're serious about your adoption efforts, you'll desire to contact a wild animals rehabilitator or veterinary who may know of an injured raccoon in demand of a foster home.

Moreover, if you lot come up across a babe raccoon in nature, make certain information technology has actually been orphaned and/or injured before you attempt to come to its rescue. If the baby isn't obviously injured, the Humane Society suggests placing it nether a clothes hamper (with a light weight on height) or in a pet carrier with an angled stick keeping the door closed. That way, if it turns out that the female parent is just out hunting, she can hands spring her baby from the ad hoc pen when she returns.

If waiting around for a raccoon in demand isn't your thing, you may also be able to adopt one — for a fee — from an established breeder. Just, earlier yous commit, there's a nifty deal of other factors to consider earlier bringing a raccoon into your home.

The Health and Habitat Considerations of Pet Raccoons

Ironically, many of the reasons that raccoons tin make excellent pets for some people are as well why they're non a good fit for others. That is, raccoons are very intelligent piddling creatures, and they have great memories and trouble-solving skills. Due to their intelligence, raccoons can exist potty trained and, much like dogs, acquire their names and a few basic commands. On the other hand, raccoons can also portray some cat-similar habits: While they might understand a command, that doesn't always translate into obedience.

Some raccoons accept been known to bond with their human owners, specially when adopted at a very young age. But fifty-fifty raccoons born in captivity tend to retain many of the traits they'd rely on if they lived in nature. In other words, they might exist quick to bite when annoyed or scared. So, an aggressive training approach probably isn't the path frontward when it comes to raising a raccoon. Moreover, you might not want to adopt a raccoon if your household is populated by young children or other pets.

Much similar whatever pet, raccoons need to get in their do. These naturally curious creatures tin't be idle, and, instead, need plenty of space to roam and explore. Instead of trying to crate train a raccoon, consider allowing them free range of your home and providing them with an enclosed outdoor infinite too. This will likely mean raccoon-proofing your house, especially because these cute critters love to chew, climb, and mess with items. Think yous'll exist able to just supervise them? You lot might desire to reconsider. Raccoons are nocturnal later all.

Everything Else You Need to Know About Pet Raccoon Care

Before bringing whatsoever pet into your home, you'll want to do your research. Afterwards all, a salubrious pet is a happy pet. Commencement, you'll desire to make sure that at that place's a vet in your area who treats raccoons since they don't tend to be the most common pets. Much like a dog, your raccoon will need to be vaccinated against common diseases, such as rabies. And, unless y'all want to deal with raccoon "puberty," you'll want to have your new pet spayed or neutered.

As far as feeding goes, raccoons are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and plants. If yous're looking for an easy solution, pet raccoons swallow grain-free dog food, but they tin can also subsist on a diet of poultry, fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables — and even mice. Of grade, you'll also desire to make sure your pet has access to clean h2o. In order to mimic a wild raccoon's diet, try giving your pet nuts and seeds as treats. If you really want to play into their scavenging instincts, try hiding these treats around the house, in pocket-size boxes, or on shelves. This will keep them both physically and mentally agile.

So, What Do Raccoon Owners Have to Say?

A few years agone, a tame raccoon named Tito began taking the net by storm after his owner Mitchell rescued him from an cranium while working a pest control chore. Every bit Tito was just a baby at the fourth dimension, Mitchell fabricated several attempts to contact animate being rehabilitation centers, but didn't accept much luck. Eventually, the two became friends. And Tito went on to get a YouTube and Instagram awareness.

Photograph Courtesy: Tito the Raccoon/YouTube

Mitchell and his wife, Sara, ended up adopting two more rescue raccoons, Cheeto and Piper. Now the trio of raccoons pose for adorable photos and create mannerly artwork for their fans to purchase. Once, Tito even tried his manus at ASMR. "We practice not recommend a pet raccoon to most people," Mitchell noted in an FAQ on his website.

"Raccoons require a lot of time, space, and resources that most people cannot accommodate!" On the other paw, for the right people raccoons can make incredible pets. But know that no matter how fun and trendy Instagram makes raccoon ownership look, you're in it for the long haul. Seriously. While the average raccoon lifespan in the wild is anywhere from 2 to 10 years, domesticated raccoons can live for upwardly to 20 years. So, if you lot accept the time, energy, and decision, await into becoming a raccoon parent. Just remember to do your research and give it a lot of thought earlier taking those kickoff steps.