Dr. Maria Palamar, a veterinarian at the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, said there is currently no approved vaccine for raccoons or other wildlife in the United States that can be administered by a veterinarian. However, raccoons tend to be mischievous and unpredictable, which is why it is generally advisable not to have them as pets. In addition, they need a lot of space to explore, climb and move, so they do not do well in cages or small rooms. They also tend to be destructive, so you may find that they eat your furniture, bedding, and clothes, and knock over objects. As a bonus, raccoons can pierce latches and other secure areas if they wish, which is why they have a “masked bandit call.” Can I own a raccoon? How do I legally own a raccoon? Raccoons are considered exotic animals and therefore have a separate set of rules regarding their ownership. It is legal to own a raccoon in the following states: A few hundred miles north of Charlotte in Iredell County is Zootastic Park. It is one of the largest private for-profit zoos in the state. They operate on about 200 hectares of land and have hundreds of animals. Before you even consider getting a raccoon, you need to make sure it`s legal to own in your state. It is illegal to keep raccoons as pets in many states. In states that allow the possession of a raccoon as a pet, a wildlife license is usually required.
Also during an online search, Shook said he found a copy of the bill allowing the possession of raccoons. Raccoons are a major carrier of rabies in North Carolina and it is illegal to possess or keep them as pets. However, possession of a raccoon is not illegal in all states. In states where possession of a raccoon is legal, those looking for a raccoon should apply for additional regulations to own a raccoon. For example, in North Carolina, a veterinarian must approve the animal before it is taken to the state. In Arkansas, a person cannot own more than five at a time. Keep in mind that it is important to check national and local laws before buying an exotic pet. You want to make your home child-proof and install a litter box. Like children, raccoons are curious and playful and also destructive, so prepare your home accordingly and play with them accordingly. In addition to these laws, also look for regulations for raccoon owners.
These regulations often answer questions such as, “What happens if my raccoon scratches or bites someone?” Since raccoons are wild animals, they can be euthanized if your raccoon is problematic. Raccoons eat both meat and plants. Poultry, fish, eggs, insects, vegetables and fruits are recommended for them. Most adult raccoons need two meals a day, but consult a veterinarian for advice on feeding. Make sure they have a bowl of water available at all times. Raccoons are also messy eaters. “We thought everything we did was legal,” Shook said. This bill, if approved, would allow individuals to own raccoons, provided the animals receive regular rabies and distemper vaccines. The only test for rabies is to examine the animal`s brain, which requires the animal to be euthanized and the head removed from the body.
It is highly recommended to have a large outdoor enclosure so that your raccoon can play unattended. Make sure this speaker has a roof. “He was holding in the palm of my hand,” Shook said. “His eyes weren`t even open.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture allows public treatment of boys, but only for the few weeks when a boy is tall enough to be away from his mother, but small enough that he can`t seriously hurt anyone. The center opened its doors to the public in 2007 after hosting a number of big cats from a closed Ohio zoo three years earlier. This is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a budget that comes primarily from donations and tour ticket sales. About 20 big cats live there, as well as 20 other animal species, including servals, fennek foxes, lemurs, binturongs, bobcats and wolves. Brown, of Zootastic, says USDA inspectors are tough but fair.
USDA records show that since 2014, they have had quotes ranging from torn bags of food to a bloody tiger tail. All were corrected by follow-up inspections. Visitors can only walk around the park on weekends and see the animals when staff and volunteers lead guided tours. Animals end up at the Conservator`s Center after coming from other zoos as a gift or rescue, and sometimes they are donated by individual owners who can no longer properly care for their pet. “If we had had one or two more days, she wouldn`t have been home,” Bennett said. Shook and Bennett called the situation a travesty. They said their raccoon had not been abused, had been properly vaccinated and had not posed a health risk. Harrison says she doesn`t know anyone in the state with a big cat as a pet, but she can`t be sure. It often treats smaller exotic animals, such as servals, a type of wild cat native to sub-Saharan Africa. They took the animal to the clinic at least four times, Shook said, and Dr.
Stone vaccinated Sly against rabies, according to clinic officials and veterinary records. None of the bills have ever been passed in the General Assembly.