2007-03-25 10:19:36 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I was a Wildlife Expert in the State of Arizona for many years.
Diamond LiL's link is great describing how to care for and how to reintroduce this baby back to its mother. I would like to encourage you to do this first if possible. If for some reason you can't or the mom does not come back to claim her young, please pull the link that Buddy28 gave you. I am not sure what state you live in else I might be able to help you further. But Buddy28's link provides you with the info you need to locate a Wildlife expert in your area. Give them a call immediately and explain your situation, they too will tell you to try and find its mother first.
It is very important you do this right away. This little coon needs the help of its mother or a trained professional to assure it will get the best treatment to aid in its survival.
Baby Raccoons are adorable, but they grow up quick. What is cute now can become a living terror to your household in a few months so I encourage you to NOT think you can keep this raccoon as a family pet.
I have foster many types of wildlife as a wildlife expert, and believe me it is a lot of hard work, especially for the orphaned new borns. So please contact a wildlife expert immediately in your area which the info was provided by Buddy28.
In my heart I wish I could of kept every animal I have fostered but if I did I would have over 50 bobcats, 3 cougars, over 30 Harris Hawks, 2 golden eagles, over 20 raccoons, a couple of dozen coyotes, 5 owls, a few brown bears, and many of orphaned deer. But they will prosper and have a better life in their own enviroment. I guess you are starting to see my point.
It is now your responsibilty to give this little raccoon the best chance at survival. I offer you a lot of praise for taking on the responsibilty for taking care of this raccoon and providing with temporary shelter. But it was born free and it deserves a chance at remaining free.
If you have any problems trying to locate a Wildlife expert or a rehabilitation sanctuary in your area please feel free to contact me. I will offer any assistance I can to provide you with the help you need.
I would like to add if the Raccoon falls under the catagory of being less than 4 weeks old, it is very important that you do stimulate it so it may urinate and have a bowel movement, in the wild its mom provides this service to him by licking him to stimulate excrementing a dampened Q-tip with warm water works fine, just rub it gently and well you will see the rest from there.lol. If you don't do this the little guy could die.
2007-03-25 11:31:59 · answer #1 · answered by Gianna M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say how old this raccoon is. It's possible that it is not orphaned, so I'd find where it came from and put it back. Lots of people find baby animals and think they are abandoned, which they are usually not. Wild animals do not spend all day around their babies, they come to take care of them only a few times a day. Your first priority is to find where this little guy belongs and put him back.
Otherwise, I'll call a wildlife rehabilitator in your area (local vets or humane society would have the number), and I'd give it to someone who was qualified and knowledgable about wildlife. You cannot, under any circumstances, think you can keep this raccoon as your personal pet. They make terrible pets and raising them is best left to the experts.
2007-03-25 17:25:40 · answer #2 · answered by hrcarr 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I am from the south where people raise EVERYTHING. I have a friend that used to raise racoons and possums. She told me to tell you to get a hot water bottle (to keep it warm) and to feed them with puppy milk you get from walmart. She also said they will eat cat/dog food in the pouch, the wet kind. If they are really young, feed them with the tiny bottles you get in the pet section. I think you can put an old sweater or pillowcase in a box and keep it there. I give you kudos for taking care of it!
I've known more than one person to raise them like cats, so it's going to be ok.
:)
2007-03-25 22:36:33 · answer #3 · answered by andybugg2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's another link with information on caring for an orphaned raccoon. Best of Luck with it!
2007-03-25 17:24:01 · answer #4 · answered by Buddy28 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Call a local animal rescue today if possible. The baby needs to be raised by trained employees who can prepare it to be released. It's also illegal to raise feral animals without a permit.
2007-03-25 17:22:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Call your vet and get the number for wildlife rescues in your area.
PLEASE don't try to care for it yourself. It could be sick, in shock or worse.
Sometimes just being handled by people kills wildlife.
Not to mention, it could be illegal for you to keep it. You could be facing fines.
The best thing for the little guy is to get it expert help.
2007-03-25 17:25:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal to raise racoons without a permit, so you should call animal control so they can take care of the poor creature
2007-03-25 17:36:11 · answer #7 · answered by Tiger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to start with something until you call someone.. i would give it kitten food..it wont harm it and it will have vitiams, but if it looks too little to have solid food .. i would buy kitty milk replacer..and if you go to the pet store they should also have little bottles for it to suck from.. If you dont want to keep it..Email me.. I would be more than happy to raise a racoon!!..lol
2007-03-25 17:29:39 · answer #8 · answered by tekna1760 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Call the SPCA in your area... That little cute Raccoon is gonna destroy everything you own!
2007-03-25 17:24:33 · answer #9 · answered by Moon Man 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Leave it outside, to see if the mother returns.
If not, then contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center, as they are licensed to care for them.
2007-03-25 17:25:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋