I need help choosing a pet. It has to be something out of the ordinary.?

Question

I was thinking a raccoon or a squirrel or something. Chinchilla.. i don't know.

Answer 1

Before you go getting an unusual pet, please check your state laws to make sure it is legal. You can check here: http://www.api4animals.org/b4a2_exotic_animals_summary.php


If it is legal in your state, you still need to check with your county and local authorities - many individual counties and municipalities ban the provate ownership of animals that are otherwise legal in the state.

Second, whatever you decide on, remember it must be purchased from a reputable breeder - you can not just capture a squirrel or a raccoon and keep it. That is illegal in every state. Only certain people, like licensed wildlife rehabilitators, may take animals from the wild and keep them captive. They can only do so if the animal if it is sick, injured or orphaned and they must release it back into the wild as soon as it has recouperated.

Answer 2

If you are not an experienced pet owner, don't go with a raccoon or a squirrel (and these are wild animals, anyway). A chinchilla would be a nice pet, fairly easy to care for, and they don't require a lot of out-of-the-cage time or handling, unless you want to make them tame and cuddle them. They do need dust baths regularly, and certain cage and food requirements that you should study up on.

Mice are another interesting caged pet that doesn't require a lot of handling, but you do have to keep their cage clean quite regularly. Several mice of the same sex are interesting to watch play on toys you can purchase at the pet store. They are quite active, and in a well-cleaned cage or aquarium (no cedar shavings in either), they are as much fun to watch as fish.

Answer 3

A lot of states (in the US) have regulations against wild animals and certain 'exotic' animals as well.

Before you go out and buy something 'just because' RESEARCH IT"

It is a living being and has feeding and care requirements.
If you are not careful you can end up as a neglectful owner, rather than a responsible one.

Why the novelty? Appearance is not the only 'out of the ordinary' characteristic.
It can be a behavior or trick, a sound it makes, a legend about its history.

Costing more does not necessarily mean a better pet selection. Both my current felines are rescues - and invaluable and wonderfully quirky!

Answer 4

Keep in mind that exotic animals aren't usually domesticated and don't make very good pets. Squirrels and raccoons are wild animals and in many places you can't legally have them unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or zoo.

Chinchillas are sometimes kept as pets. Of the three, this is probably your best bet. However they are noctural, so they are going to be sleeping all day and you sure don't want to keep one in your bedroom.

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/chinchillas/p/Chinchillas.htm

Answer 5

You can get a Richardson'sGround Squirrel. They look like Prairie Dogs but a lot places won'tallow you to have Prairie Dogs due to that outbreak of monkey pox. They will get attached to you and they are only around $100 to $150. Or there are a lot of different types of birds that you can get. Some that are rare but that are perfectly legal to have because people are cross breeding diferent birds producing an amazing selection. But whatever pet you get, make sure that you can always afford to keep it and do your research about it.

Answer 6

Go for an out of the ordinary model of a typical pet, such as a bald one or an albino one. An Albino rabbit would be easy to care for and still give you the satisfaction of knowing your pet was different.

Answer 7

WILD ANIMALS DON'T MAKE GOOD PETS.

Choose a normal domestic pet such as Dog, cat, mouse, guinea pig, rabbit, Bird, horse etc.

Make sure the pet suit your lifestyle.

Remember wild animals often required a special wildlife animal liscence.

Please consider adopting from a shelter or pound.

Answer 8

I have 2 raccoons, the first one i rescued when momma got ran over, the second someone else found it and they brought it to me Because they knew i could raise it! They take alot of patience, but i love them, they sleep with us and they are very protective of the owners, we have ours declawed and there teeth grinded down. They have never tried to hurt us. They are some of the most interesting animals. They do some of the craziest things. My male love to play with my hair, he grooms me all the time. If you do get one get it when its a baby, so that you can tame it. i got both of mine when there eyes were closed. They are the greatest things in the world.

Answer 9

Get a hedgehog. Very cute, loving and fit in the palm of your hand.

Answer 10

get a guinea pig they are the best pet ever!!!! and pet stores actually sell food for them!