I used to hold a game permit which allowed me to keep Raccoons. I've had both domestic raised babies and wild caught babies. I've held them in my arms and gave them their bottle feeding just like a human infant. Yes, they hold their bottle just like we do. I also kept them as a child - long before you needed a permit to do so. Mothers had been killed roadside, etc, I had a soft heart and felt that I needed to save the tiny hungry orphans. They are very smart and learn very quickly. I had one that went fishing with us and loved to catch minnows in the shallows of the dam and along creeks on our farm. Truly, next to my hand fed crow, Charlie, who I also hand raised - raising the orphan coons was one of the neatest experiences I've ever had. However, I'm not your run of the mill animal lover. All the while I had them - I never let myself believe that they were pets. Even the domestic bred/raised Raccoons are NOT pets. They go through distint phases of development much like dogs and cats. They stalk, they run and snatch, they mall, they do all the things Raccoons do to survive.
Now for the hard truth.
If you plan to keep any type of poultry/waterfowl or cats or even small dogs outside - You're going to have issues with keeping the Raccoons around. Cute little Raccoons grow up to be very adept killers. If you can live with the fact that sooner or later they will get into your coop/pen and kill your birds and may harm/mame your small dog or outside cats - then by all means enjoy the little creatures. If it is going to bother you to have your coop/pen ripped up and your birds killed - you need to decide to call animal control or higher someone to trap them for you. Coons multiply and if you feed them - you will soon have generations of Raccoons to feed. A friend of mine currently is feeding between 35 - 40 each night near her house. She feeds dog & cat foods and fruits and veggies. It costs her a fortune! She just does not know how to stop the madness. Her neighbors are starting to hunt and trap them. They are a real problem. The great grandmother coon is still around. You can 'ID' her by a notched ear. The notched ear was probably done by someone who turned the female loose once it became an adult and it became dangerous to keep around. They bite and they scratch and they act crazy. You've heard the saying, "Crazier than a pet coon" - I've seen the crazy they are talking about. Totally unpredictable behavior at best.
You also need to worry about rabies and distemper.
Now for the hard truth.
If you plan to keep any type of poultry/waterfowl or cats or even small dogs outside - You're going to have issues with keeping the Raccoons around. Cute little Raccoons grow up to be very adept killers. If you can live with the fact that sooner or later they will get into your coop/pen and kill your birds and may harm/mame your small dog or outside cats - then by all means enjoy the little creatures. If it is going to bother you to have your coop/pen ripped up and your birds killed - you need to decide to call animal control or higher someone to trap them for you. Coons multiply and if you feed them - you will soon have generations of Raccoons to feed. A friend of mine currently is feeding between 35 - 40 each night near her house. She feeds dog & cat foods and fruits and veggies. It costs her a fortune! She just does not know how to stop the madness. Her neighbors are starting to hunt and trap them. They are a real problem. The great grandmother coon is still around. You can 'ID' her by a notched ear. The notched ear was probably done by someone who turned the female loose once it became an adult and it became dangerous to keep around. They bite and they scratch and they act crazy. You've heard the saying, "Crazier than a pet coon" - I've seen the crazy they are talking about. Totally unpredictable behavior at best.
You also need to worry about rabies and distemper.
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