I live in a second story apt. overlooking a big foresty area, it's right at the back of the complex and there are lots of trees and woods, today a baby raccoon(i think he's a baby, about the size of a small cat) came onto my balcony, i gave it some food but kept my screen door shut, and he kept coming up to the screen trying to get in, he's so cute and seems so friendly, i would put my hand on the glass and he kept chasing it everywhere i moved it, just like a kitten would, he's still out there now, i put some water out and he is bathing in it, i really wanna let him inside but i'm scared, does anyone know if they are harmful? i heard they have rabies too, any advice would help thanks!
2007-12-04 10:23:04 · 8 answers · asked by su_cu 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
NEVER touch a wild raccoon. NEVER allow a wild raccoon in your house.
Raccoons carry rabies, feline distemper and their feces has a roundworm that can cause serious illness in humans.
They bite and they destroy furniture.
In addition, it is illegal to take any animal from the wild and keep it as a pet.
This baby need to be moved away from people before some human, not as nice as you, decides it would make a good target for cruelty, abuse or torture.
Please contact a licensed wildlfie rehabilitator immediately - you can find one here: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm
They can recondition the animal to be wild, and relocate it further away from people, so it is not in any danger.
2007-12-04 11:59:25 · answer #1 · answered by margecutter 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Raccoons do NOT make good pets!
You should never, ever make a wild animal into a pet, unless they can't live in the wild for some reason.
Of course, you can keep feeding the little guy and be friends, but be aware that no matter how friendly he is, he is still WILD and might bite. And you will also have a responsibility -- if he depends on you feeding him, you can't then go off for a 2 week vacation, leaving him with nothing.
Best if you just give him a TREAT now and then, don't really FEED him.
Don't bring him into the house, you will have NO control and might be injured trying to get him back out again, when he starts destroying your things!
Have fun -- but be smart, OK?
2007-12-04 10:46:25 · answer #2 · answered by luvrats 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If he's the size of a cat, he's definately not a baby. Besides the health risk to you or anyone else that he comes into contact with, it is illegal to have a raccoon unless you're a licensed rehabber. Just to let you know, if someone knows you have it and blabbs to the wrong person, animal control will come out and take it from you and put it down. Not only that, you could get a hefty fine. If he ends up nipping someone, the way they test for rabies is to kill them and examine their brain, and the one who got nipped would have to undergo series of painful injections if he is suspected of having it. So please for the sake of him, call animal control and let them know that you have a raccoon that has been coming too close to your door. Make sure he can set a trap and relocate him to a less populated area. He is already gutsy enough to come right up to your home, which means he's probably gutsy enough to walk up to a child and bite. They are not cute little kittens. They are wild animals. Treat this one as such.
2007-12-04 15:11:46 · answer #3 · answered by mrslangley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would do what everyone else is saying and not let it inside. And if you DO go on vacation for more then 2 weeks you can tell your house sitter to fill a bowl with food everyday. Or, you can get a giant food bowl.
I would recomend NOT to touch it. Even if you are sure it won't harm you. Unless you raise as a baby, a wild animal can't be domisticatied.
2007-12-04 11:44:49 · answer #4 · answered by ktecha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hes obviously too old to be kept as a pet. But that doesn't mean that you can't be friends. You can give him food, and pet him if you wish (Be careful though, if its a youngster they may not know they can hurt you with their teeth or claws) I wouldn't let him in your house just yet, he may panic and run around and break things. I would wait till you build up your bond. You can't keep him in like a house pet. You must allow him to go outside, otherwise animal control may get on your case. I had a friend who found a baby racoon . It was too young to live on its own. She nursed it and fed it, so now she has a pet racoon. But this guys too old to be a full time pet. Just consider him as a friend. This can also work to his benefit b/c if he's sick you can take him to the vet.
2007-12-04 10:28:55 · answer #5 · answered by Kelly H. 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
NO! there wild animals and should be left outside.Ge yourself a puppy or a nice Domesticated pet. Some racoons have rabies
2007-12-04 10:25:55 · answer #6 · answered by Kelsang 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
are you sure it is not someones pet? if so ask around.
It seems too friendly to be wild....also feed it until you find a solution.
2007-12-04 10:35:36 · answer #7 · answered by Brown guy 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no no no no no
2007-12-04 10:59:23 · answer #8 · answered by gidget 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋