Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All, I love Coons so much and would like to keep a few as pets. Does anyone know if there is a permit I could get to make this legal ?
Thanks for your time.
Fabian

Do you have children under 18? Raccoon feces has rather nasty stuff in it and can kill youngsters if exposed to it. If you don't have kids then that is one less thing to worry about. Although I would recommend raising injured or oraphned wildlife rather than caging it as a pet. Be aware that at a certain age they become very aggressive even towards life long handlers/caregivers. They are amazingly intelligent animals and like anything wild should be kept as such unless the animal cannot survive out in the wild. Please don't let what I've written get you down. There are plenty of ways to get involved with wildlife but most people especially on a rehabbers forum will suggest you not keep them as pets. If you wish to provide a non releasable animal with a home that would be awesome. Just remember to research cause there are many diseases they can pass to humans and pets and need to be wormed every 3-4 weeks to keep the dangerous worms such a roundworm (similar to dogs and cats roundworm but much more dangerous to humans and can even cause death) Canine distemper and Rabies needs to be prevented.

Cage cleaning and housing. Their house needs to be about 6'Wx8"Lx 8"H it should have flooring that would allow for thorough cleaning with a blow torch or very strong disinfectants. The blow torch/fire is the only thing that kills the Raccoon specific roundworm eggs/adults. There is a lot involved obviously. Again don't let me discourage I am only trying to inform you in case you haven't been told yet. I hope all goes well and please please BE SAFE!!!

WOW" I did not know all that. I do not have any kids under 16. But I do raise dog's (AKC) Dog's. And would not want anything to happen to them. I saved two from death on Friday. My Friends Dad had two in his garbage can and was going to shot them. They had been taring his trash up for awhile. Anyway, I took them home and I have some real nice cages for other animals I have keeped. I looked up all I could on there care, Feeding and all. I got them lot's of grapes, apples, chicken 21% dog food, Etc. I think the best thing for them is back to the wild ??? The only thing is that where I live is big, big, into coon hunting with dog's. I don't want them to become just another good coon hunt. Please anyone help with advice....
Best Wishes, Fabe

One word...NO. Raccoons are wild animals, and are generally not happy as indoor pets. They need very large enclosures to simulate an outdoor habitat, typically this cannot be done inside (trees for climbing, things to dig in, etc.)

The best thing you could do for them at this point, would be to drive them to a secluded area near a waterway, and release them. Use a different waterway than your uncle lived on, or they may return to visit him. Also in most areas, it is illegal to keep them, even as a rehabber or educator. If you want to help other raccoons, contact your local shelter. They should have access to rehab individuals, who will surely need help come spring. Good luck, sorry I didn't have better news, but particularly since these were removed from the wild, they would not be happy indoors. Also as an FYI, raccoons can carry many diseases, canine distemper is one of them, and numerous others that are transferable to dogs...

Joker

Thank you, I set them free tonight. I did not have them as pets. And they were keeped out side in a big cage. (Which could never match the wild) It was my friends Dad not my uncle. and they are 40 miles from there now. I set them loss in a friends 200 acre swamp. Lot's of crayfish, frogs, fish, Etc. for them to eat. I am sure they are very happy. () Thank you for all the advice. It help me see that it was the best for them. (And me)
Fabian

I just recently got into rehabilitating wildlife this year. I wanted so badly to raise the orphaned coons, but I have a 19 month old little girl and other pets as well. It just wouldn't work out for me at the moment so I am sticking to squirrels and birds I'm glad we could help even if it was bad news. But that is so awesome that you saved them and they are alive because of you, that is just the neatest!!! CONGRATS!

Take it easy,
Aundrea

Are you squirrel free yet??? Mine are all released, 5 living in a tree near my home. Last flying squirrel gone as well, now waiting for springs bounty of new babies...hehe.

Joker

I'm glad they are all free to run around but I definitly miss them. So I ran out and got myself another dog A little Shih Tzu. I am not sure if I am going to be able to do next spring's babies We are in the process of fixing up our house to put on the market so we can move onto some acreage. I'm excited about room to make flight cages and a rehab hut. So it is at least an awesome trade off for missing the first season. Luckily I should be just in time for the second season. I am going to keep busy though obviously. January is filled with classes. A two day Squirrel one. A 2 day optional 3 day Homeopathy course. And a specialty birds class for humming birds and such. The optional 3rd day which I didn't sign up for in the homeopathy class is about West Nile Virus. I am hoping someone from our group is going so we can get the info. It is on a Monday and I have a kid to watch which prevents me from going.

I have completely given up on raccoons because my daughter is too young. I have not dealt with birds of prey yet and don't know if that is for me or not. But I want to experience everything. So I will more than likely volunteer at someones home who has flight cages just so I can see what all is involved before jumping off that cliff Luckily the people in the group I am in could always use help cleaning up. What better way to figure out if you want to do it? By doing the gross work first. Oh yeah I don't know if I told you yet but I worked with two baby pigeons to learn tube feeding. Then I had an adult pigeon come in that had been poisoned with possibly avitrol. She/He lived and was released in my backyard and I have seen her with the other hundred pigeons in the field behind my house. Luckily he/she was white with distinct markings so I can look for her

What do you do on downtimes? Luckily we haven't had any orphaned pigeons since my last two so everyone's mom gets to raise them. Have you ever dealt with homeopathy? Anyhow good to hear from you. Take care.

Aundrea

Y'all are lucky. We are still getting a fair amount of babies down here in Texas. 3 extremely small neo fliers came in today (didn't check gram weights, but you get the idea...eyes closed, no fur, ect) and some of our rehabbers have over 19 squirrels still. We are still getting squirrels that do not even have their eyes open.

Well...I am in WI, so any tiny babies this time of year, wouldn't fair too well anyhow...

Terri

Well, sure sounds like you are keeping busy! For the off season, I am getting things in thusfar, only much shorter stays! Adult flying squirrels that have been trapped in attics/basements, that need fluid therapy etc. The shelter I work with, is getting in injured raptors, and a goose that seems to like people far more than geese. Soooo, while it slows down greatly, I doubt we will be empty at any point...with the exception of a week here and there. Right now I have nothing, the weekend may bring a squirrel visiting for a few days to regain strength, who knows.

Never done anything with homeopathy, either human or animal. It sounds interesting though, let me know what sort of things you learn. I know that some of the treatments you have used thusfar lead more towards homeopathic than traditional...sounds exciting!! I wish there were classes offered near me, but I don't believe there are any at all honestly...

Terri

I am a bit skeptical of Homeopathy but I think that might be because I am ignorant on the subject. I have spoken to a couple people who attended this same Seminar last year. They said they were skeptical but that used along with usual medicines and treatment the recover time was cut rather short. So we'll see. I got the two books required for the course and I can't make sense of them at all. The are ruberics, basically guides by symptoms with proper remedy. I will let you know if it even makes sense to me when I go and if it works or not I will know in time. I am a bit intimidated by the books but luckily it will be taught by someone I have spoken to already and that has a very easy and laid back teaching style with loads of common sense. Well it is time to go entertain my daughter and dogs they are driving my husband nuts. Talk to you later.

Take care,
Aundrea

Thank you,
I can say that it made my month. I wish I could feel that good all the time. Is it hard to get the permits to take in wild life like that. I have live in Alaska (14 years) and had 3 blk. bears, eagles, owls, and many other animals from there. now that I am back in Old Miss. I have to get into it some how. Could anyone give me the heads up on the in's and out's of getting legal to do it ?
I would also like to thank Exotic Hobbyist for this great forum, and all the nice people it has on it. A little about me:
I am a 42 year old male that loves life and all it offers. I have grow up on big farms, and rantchs (Rantch hand, cow boss) all over the U.S. I spent 4 years as a fire fighter/EMT in North pole Ak. 2 years fishing on com. boats in the bearing straits in AK. a few years bull ridding, and anything else it took to make it in life. My wife and I have been together for 19 years and have one 17 year old son. We all love anything to do with animals. I have been keeping, and breeding non-exotic, and Exotic venomous snakes for about 6 years now. But am selling out (I think) LOL Anyways, Thanks everyone.
Fabian P.S. Sorry about my spelling.

Do a search online and see if you can find a local wildlife rehab center. If you can find one they usually have classes and mentoring for volunteers. It will allow you to work with wildlife without caging them up illegally.

Anna

Thank you, That is great advice. I am looking forword to helping.
Best Wishes
Fabian

Hiya,

Sounds like you have experienced quite a bit. What did you think about keeping the large birds? Owls and such. I have considered getting into that but want as much info as I can first to make sure I am right for the birds not just them being cute ya know? hahaha. I would contact Fish and Game first about permits. They could at least point you in the right direction. I haven't had to get permits because I work under a Rehab group's permit. Good luck with it though always great to have another forum member. Take care.

Aundrea

Well I will put it this way, One of the black bear cubs I had was about 70* and of course (wild) But it was easyer to care for than any of the birds of pray I had. They are very hard to do anything to. "MEAN" The owls were the worst of all. I loved every thing about them, But they were the most dangerist to handle. (In My book) I am so happy I found this site. I hope to learn lots here and sure I will. Could you tell me some about what you do ? and some of the animals you have worked with ? I have been running a reptile rescue for 2 years now. I also remove reptiles for our state. All state, and local police depts. call me for any reptile removals. I also do class's for snake bite, and knowing Mississippi snakes. The sheriffs son was bite last mounth by a baby copperhead and they came out and got me to tell them what it was. (He made it fine) Anyway, wildlife is a big part of my life. I would do anything for them. Please E-mail me and tell me some about you.
Thanks, Best Ever X-mas prayers are with you. and the group.
Fabian Ihrke,
Booneville, Ms. (sorry about the spelling)

Awesome! I am thrilled to hear you released them. It is hard sometimes to understand, because they are sooooo darn neat to watch, and pretty cute, but we need to keep in mind what is best for the animals themselves, not just for us. Thanks for understanding!!!

Joker