Sandra Peyton - 2007-08-28 I have four ferral cats i take care of and they don't let me near them. But i have a female ringtail thats just as gentle as one of my pet cats. This is the second spring she came back to me with a bellyful of babies. Last year two, this year three, and these babies took to me as if they were my pets. I feed them everyday and also play with them. I can actually touch them. They all really like Kit And Kabodal cat food. I know they will be leaving soon for winter, but Im really going to miss these two girls and my little DENISE THE MENACE! Sandy,from Whitemarsh
chris - 2007-08-19 About four months ago I saved an orphaned male racoon while on a fishing trip. I brought the racoon home, and I fed him a mixture of eggs and milk and he fattened up quite nicely. I also cleaned out his ears which had over forty ticks inside. The racoon was probably only four months old at the time, but is now quite large. Raccoons seem to respond best to eggs and will switch to any food after they grow a bit larger. I have chosen not to keep the racoon inside my home. I have a child and a pregnant wife, both of whom I do not want to receive scratches or bites. I am close to the city but still in a rural area. My racoon lives in a tree in my back yard and every night he slips down for something to eat. I also chose to give him a rabies shot since he visits my back door quite often. Hopefully he will (as he becomes sexually mature) start looking for a female and revert back to the wild. I believe raccoons are wonderful animals but they should be allowed to exist in their own element (which is nature). There is nothing wrong with helping an orphaned animal, but if you don't think that you can deal with an animal like this please do seek out a rehabber to turn the animal over to. These are very instinctive animals as well as curious. They will do a lot of damage to your home and poop everywhere. My hat's off to you if you have one in your home.
maria - 2007-07-24 As a child, my family had a pet racoon. He was found in the woods along with a sister. We think the mom was killed while the nest they lived in was being logged. We kept the male and the female went to my cousin's house. Our coon was very clean, playful, and very attached to the family. We bottle fed him with a premie nipple for about 5 weeks. During this time, he quit eating for several days. Getting weaker and weaker we were all crying because we knew he couldn't live much longer. To cheer us, my dad bought us all milkshakes. My sister was holding "coonie" while she was drinking her milkshake and spilled some. He lapped it up. We put milkshake in his bottle and bam! he was drinking again. We kept him about 2 years but he loved the outdoors. But after he decided to rearrange all the wires in my grandfathers car, we knew it was time that he really went to the wild. We took him to an area we owned that had about 360 acres of trees with a old house in the center of it. To acclimate him to the wild we took food to him everyday. We'd honk the horn and he'd come running. After about a month, it would take him longer to reply to the horn and he would be bringing friends along. Soon he wouldn't respond to the horn. We knew he was finally acclimated with other racoons. One day, we saw him in a tree, he wouldn't come to us because he had learned his friends fear of humans but we knew it was him because he was the only one with a flea collar! He was by far, my most loved pet, and we knew he loved us. He loved sleeping at our feet, eating crackers, and never missed going to work with my father. But we realized there was a time that he needed more freedom but even though there was plenty of trees and space around our house, he needed more. The thing is, he would never leave because of his attachment he needed us to set him free.
ran - 2007-07-24 I found a baby racoon years ago when I was a boy. I kept her for four years, and she was raised with a male pup I got at the same time. The dog and the racoon really liked each other and played alot together. When the racoon grew up she escaped often and would sleep in our chimney or on one of our neighbors garage. When ever I went to bring her home I would always take my dog with me as she could become quite aggressive, and I needed the dog to chew on her and keep her busy. She became very agressive to everyone and even bit me. At the age of four I took her to the river and let her go after a woman I knew told me what happened to her. She too had raised a racoon and it would watch TV with her. She turned her garage into a home for it and kept it for a few years. One day as she entered the garage to feed it, it attacked her. Clinging to her it bit her and she required several stitches, as she couldn't get it off. She had to call the police and they shot it. Wild animals are just that,and they can changed moods very quickly. A racoon is not a domestic animal, and great care should be used when handling them, especially once they have matured. Except for a mother and her young, or when breeding they are not social animals.
Beverly - 2007-07-07 Hello, I've got two baby racoons, both were so to speak dropped at my back door. Their mother, I don't know what happened to her, but they didnt have teeth and were helpless, so I took them in. Now I'm attached to them. I don't want them in a cage and I would like to return them to the wild. Right now they can't fend for themselves and I have to feed them by dropper. My teenage sons love them. But, really unsure what to do. My father-in-law had coons as pets so my husband is familiar with some of it. But, we really hope we can return them back to the wild where they belong.
Marla Hanna - 2007-07-06 I have several ferral cats that I feed, they were here when I moved in. I had them spayed and neutered. Recently, my husband and I heard a loud banging noise, we opened the door and discovered 2 raccoons. It appears that one is female (smaller) and one is male (much larger). We do not have a problem with feeding the wild animals and want everyone to be healthy. We have put wormer in the cat food, and sometimes add an antibiotic if we have an animal that appears sick. We live next to a large creek and feel the animals will come no matter what species they are... even skunks. I've read all the comments and appreciate hearing the opinions of both, those who are willing to dedicate so much of their lives to the raccoons, and also the insightfulness of those who know their behavior well enough to know that they are not pets for just anyone. God bless you all for being the care takers of our earth. I'm here to say thanks for sharing your comments. I do not plan to attempt to tame, but in those rare occurances, when someone needs to step in, please use all precaution and judgement for the betterment of the animal, and you and your families safety. Thank you for your honest and open information; it greatly appreciated.
Georgia - 2007-06-23 I have a 5 month old female pet raccoon named Willow. Late at night, when she finally decides it's time to sleep, she cuddles so sweetly, sleeping with my husband and me in our bed every night. She snuggles right up next to me and uses my arm as a pacifier. Usually when we wake up she is at the foot of the bed under the covers and will stay there, not wanting to be disturbed 'til noon. I then put her out on a leash and runner. She can travel a good distance, climb, and has her own swimming pool (a barrel cut long ways in half). I put pebbles, and pretty glass stones in it for her to play with. She loves catching, and chasing ice cubes.
We have a Rottweiler, Pit Bull, and Boxer. She plays with all of them. They love her and play carefully with her. In fact, she is much rougher than they are. She could never be returned to the wild. I'm sure she would go running right up to anyone she saw in their yard and scare them. People relate "coons" to "rabies". She also would not fear dogs and could be injured or killed by a dog not fond of raccoons.
Though she is sweet most of the time, she can be a bugger. I have cuts and bites on my arms, though they are mostly done in fun and wrestling. She can get very nasty though if you make her angry, like trying to take something away from her. And, you don't put your hand near her when she is eating. That is just something you must learn about coon temperment. I'm sure it is just instinct to protect and guard their food. I've learned the hard way that they simply are not like cats and dogs and that's a fact you have to face if you want to have a pet raccoon. The biggest problem I have is her climbing, and getting into cubbards and cabinets. I am wondering if there is a shock collar mild enough to give her a slight annoying buzz when she does things like climb up onto the counters and open cabinet doors. She is a sneaking thief and knows she is doing a no-no. When she hears me coming she jumps down and runs for cover, taking car keys, homework papers, remote controls, and shoes with her. She especially loves removing all inserts from shoes and tearing them to shreds.
When I say shock collar, I am not speaking of a harsh training collar, just enough to get her attention and serve as negative reinforcement.
I love her to pieces and want to keep her for her forever. I would also like to have her spayed. I need to find a vet that will perform surgery on a non-domestic critter. My vet will give the initial baby shots (distemper) and first rabies, but won't treat them after that.
Lorraine - 2007-06-19 I enjoyed reading about racoons. I have two, in fact, as I write this Rocky and Rosie are outside having dinner, LOL! I am in Nova Scotia and do live in a rural area. I do not want to tame them per say... I had them as pets when I was a kid growing up in New Brunswick. I do know, once tamed, they can keep you up all night running around on the roof...LOL! I just enjoy them being around. Both racoons are adults and very healthy. I believe they are the pups that were here last year. There were 3 but the 3rd one is not around anymore. I do know they live in the big barn up the road as I have seen them in the rafters a few times. As I said, it has been a long while since I have been in close contact with them and appreciate the info I got. Thanks. Love those bandits, Lorraine B., Nova Scotia
Allison - 2007-06-17 I do not encourage having a pet Racoon, I have seen many Racoons SUFFER in cages! (And have let many back yard caged Racoons lose to their road to freedom) These are wild animals and 99% of the people who get them wish they never have. Wild animals belong in the wild. To anyone thinking of getting a baby Racoon..think again and get a Bunny. Leave the Racoons that are injured or orphaned to the licenced wildlife Rehabilitators. It is cruel and inhumane keeping a Racoon in a cage Period!
Here is a raccoon up past his bedtime! This younster couldn't keep still, climbed all over everybody and was constantly "checking things out"!
I have four ferral cats i take care of and they don't let me near them. But i have a female ringtail thats just as gentle as one of my pet cats. This is the second spring she came back to me with a bellyful of babies. Last year two, this year three, and these babies took to me as if they were my pets. I feed them everyday and also play with them. I can actually touch them. They all really like Kit And Kabodal cat food. I know they will be leaving soon for winter, but Im really going to miss these two girls and my little DENISE THE MENACE! Sandy,from Whitemarsh
About four months ago I saved an orphaned male racoon while on a fishing trip. I brought the racoon home, and I fed him a mixture of eggs and milk and he fattened up quite nicely. I also cleaned out his ears which had over forty ticks inside. The racoon was probably only four months old at the time, but is now quite large. Raccoons seem to respond best to eggs and will switch to any food after they grow a bit larger. I have chosen not to keep the racoon inside my home. I have a child and a pregnant wife, both of whom I do not want to receive scratches or bites. I am close to the city but still in a rural area. My racoon lives in a tree in my back yard and every night he slips down for something to eat. I also chose to give him a rabies shot since he visits my back door quite often. Hopefully he will (as he becomes sexually mature) start looking for a female and revert back to the wild. I believe raccoons are wonderful animals but they should be allowed to exist in their own element (which is nature). There is nothing wrong with helping an orphaned animal, but if you don't think that you can deal with an animal like this please do seek out a rehabber to turn the animal over to. These are very instinctive animals as well as curious. They will do a lot of damage to your home and poop everywhere. My hat's off to you if you have one in your home.
As a child, my family had a pet racoon. He was found in the woods along with a sister. We think the mom was killed while the nest they lived in was being logged. We kept the male and the female went to my cousin's house. Our coon was very clean, playful, and very attached to the family. We bottle fed him with a premie nipple for about 5 weeks. During this time, he quit eating for several days. Getting weaker and weaker we were all crying because we knew he couldn't live much longer. To cheer us, my dad bought us all milkshakes. My sister was holding "coonie" while she was drinking her milkshake and spilled some. He lapped it up. We put milkshake in his bottle and bam! he was drinking again. We kept him about 2 years but he loved the outdoors. But after he decided to rearrange all the wires in my grandfathers car, we knew it was time that he really went to the wild. We took him to an area we owned that had about 360 acres of trees with a old house in the center of it. To acclimate him to the wild we took food to him everyday. We'd honk the horn and he'd come running. After about a month, it would take him longer to reply to the horn and he would be bringing friends along. Soon he wouldn't respond to the horn. We knew he was finally acclimated with other racoons. One day, we saw him in a tree, he wouldn't come to us because he had learned his friends fear of humans but we knew it was him because he was the only one with a flea collar! He was by far, my most loved pet, and we knew he loved us. He loved sleeping at our feet, eating crackers, and never missed going to work with my father. But we realized there was a time that he needed more freedom but even though there was plenty of trees and space around our house, he needed more. The thing is, he would never leave because of his attachment he needed us to set him free.
I found a baby racoon years ago when I was a boy. I kept her for four years, and she was raised with a male pup I got at the same time.
The dog and the racoon really liked each other and played alot together. When the racoon grew up she escaped often and would sleep in our chimney or on one of our neighbors garage. When ever I went to bring her home I would always take my dog with me as she could become quite aggressive, and I needed the dog to chew on her and keep her busy. She became very agressive to everyone and even bit me. At the age of four I took her to the river and let her go after a woman I knew told me what happened to her. She too had raised a racoon and it would watch TV with her. She turned her garage into a home for it and kept it for a few years. One day as she entered the garage to feed it, it attacked her. Clinging to her it bit her and she required several stitches, as she couldn't get it off. She had to call the police and they shot it.
Wild animals are just that,and they can changed moods very quickly. A racoon is not a domestic animal, and great care should be used when handling them, especially once they have matured. Except for a mother and her young, or when breeding they are not social animals.
Hello, I've got two baby racoons, both were so to speak dropped at my back door. Their mother, I don't know what happened to her, but they didnt have teeth and were helpless, so I took them in. Now I'm attached to them. I don't want them in a cage and I would like to return them to the wild. Right now they can't fend for themselves and I have to feed them by dropper. My teenage sons love them. But, really unsure what to do. My father-in-law had coons as pets so my husband is familiar with some of it. But, we really hope we can return them back to the wild where they belong.
I have several ferral cats that I feed, they were here when I moved in. I had them spayed and neutered. Recently, my husband and I heard a loud banging noise, we opened the door and discovered 2 raccoons. It appears that one is female (smaller) and one is male (much larger). We do not have a problem with feeding the wild animals and want everyone to be healthy. We have put wormer in the cat food, and sometimes add an antibiotic if we have an animal that appears sick. We live next to a large creek and feel the animals will come no matter what species they are... even skunks. I've read all the comments and appreciate hearing the opinions of both, those who are willing to dedicate so much of their lives to the raccoons, and also the insightfulness of those who know their behavior well enough to know that they are not pets for just anyone. God bless you all for being the care takers of our earth. I'm here to say thanks for sharing your comments. I do not plan to attempt to tame, but in those rare occurances, when someone needs to step in, please use all precaution and judgement for the betterment of the animal, and you and your families safety. Thank you for your honest and open information; it greatly appreciated.
I have a 5 month old female pet raccoon named Willow. Late at night, when she finally decides it's time to sleep, she cuddles so sweetly, sleeping with my husband and me in our bed every night. She snuggles right up next to me and uses my arm as a pacifier. Usually when we wake up she is at the foot of the bed under the covers and will stay there, not wanting to be disturbed 'til noon. I then put her out on a leash and runner. She can travel a good distance, climb, and has her own swimming pool (a barrel cut long ways in half). I put pebbles, and pretty glass stones in it for her to play with. She loves catching, and chasing ice cubes.
We have a Rottweiler, Pit Bull, and Boxer. She plays with all of them. They love her and play carefully with her. In fact, she is much rougher than they are. She could never be returned to the wild. I'm sure she would go running right up to anyone she saw in their yard and scare them. People relate "coons" to "rabies". She also would not fear dogs and could be injured or killed by a dog not fond of raccoons.
Though she is sweet most of the time, she can be a bugger. I have cuts and bites on my arms, though they are mostly done in fun and wrestling. She can get very nasty though if you make her angry, like trying to take something away from her. And, you don't put your hand near her when she is eating. That is just something you must learn about coon temperment. I'm sure it is just instinct to protect and guard their food. I've learned the hard way that they simply are not like cats and dogs and that's a fact you have to face if you want to have a pet raccoon. The biggest problem I have is her climbing, and getting into cubbards and cabinets. I am wondering if there is a shock collar mild enough to give her a slight annoying buzz when she does things like climb up onto the counters and open cabinet doors. She is a sneaking thief and knows she is doing a no-no. When she hears me coming she jumps down and runs for cover, taking car keys, homework papers, remote controls, and shoes with her. She especially loves removing all inserts from shoes and tearing them to shreds.
When I say shock collar, I am not speaking of a harsh training collar, just enough to get her attention and serve as negative reinforcement.
I love her to pieces and want to keep her for her forever. I would also like to have her spayed. I need to find a vet that will perform surgery on a non-domestic critter. My vet will give the initial baby shots (distemper) and first rabies, but won't treat them after that.
Don't forget to check out our new web site: pollyandfriends.4t.com.
Polly and Friends believes all wildlife including raccoons should be returned to the wild if they can be self sufficient.
I enjoyed reading about racoons. I have two, in fact, as I write this Rocky and Rosie are outside having dinner, LOL! I am in Nova Scotia and do live in a rural area. I do not want to tame them per say... I had them as pets when I was a kid growing up in New Brunswick. I do know, once tamed, they can keep you up all night running around on the roof...LOL! I just enjoy them being around. Both racoons are adults and very healthy. I believe they are the pups that were here last year. There were 3 but the 3rd one is not around anymore. I do know they live in the big barn up the road as I have seen them in the rafters a few times. As I said, it has been a long while since I have been in close contact with them and appreciate the info I got. Thanks. Love those bandits, Lorraine B., Nova Scotia
I do not encourage having a pet Racoon, I have seen many Racoons SUFFER in cages! (And have let many back yard caged Racoons lose to their road to freedom) These are wild animals and 99% of the people who get them wish they never have. Wild animals belong in the wild. To anyone thinking of getting a baby Racoon..think again and get a Bunny. Leave the Racoons that are injured or orphaned to the licenced wildlife Rehabilitators. It is cruel and inhumane keeping a Racoon in a cage Period!