Raise a Raccoon???

Tarzet · 08-07-04, 09:30 AM

Is their anyone here that lives in the country, thats interested in raising a young female Raccoon?
A friend of mine has an orphan that she can no longer look after because she has to move to a more residential area. She is friendly and has been with people since she was only about 4 weeks old. She is about 8-10 weeks old now.
I cannot take her in because I am too busy with all my other animals... the farm...and I already did my share of raising raccoons earlier this year.
I have contacted F&W, Wildlife centers in the area, The Humane Society and local Vets... and no one was able to help me place her. I know most of us are not only reptile lovers but animal lovers in general....that is why I am asking here. Maybe someone here is in the position to help her out...or knows someone who might be.
Of course, I will not give her to anyone who lives in the city or in a residential area. I will have to compleatly approve of where she goes. These are not the easiest animals to controll and require a lot of comintment and attention.
Please call me at (705)488-3000 or e-mail tarzets@sympatico.ca if you can help or know someone who might.

Thanks

Jeff Hathaway · 08-07-04, 01:32 PM

Of course, legally speaking it must go to an Authorized Wildlife Custodian, whether it be an individual person or some sort of rehab centre...

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Ssnakes!!

Tarzet · 08-07-04, 02:43 PM

Jeff, I live in the North Kawarthas and I have spoken with F&W and they told me there is nothing they can do and they have no one that they could even refer me too that would take it. I have even called the Maskoka rehab center and they turned me down too. Told me to call the humane society. So, I did that and the lady told me they dont take them and didnt know anyone who would. I actually phones several Humain societys and was told the same thing. I think one of those people would have mentioned that it was not legal for me to have it. In every conversation they asked me why I wouldnt raise it!
I have raised a few myself and once even had a C.O. here about some domestic ducks in a nearby pond. He saw my baby coons, played with them and told me good job! If it was not legal I think he would have said something....dont you think? My neighbor/friend works for Ontario Parks and she seen mine and played with them lots. She would have told me if I shouldnt have had them. She is also looking around for someone to take this little girl.
Maybe nearer to the city the bylaws are different? And, I did mention I would not let her go to anyone in or near the city or a residential area.

meow_mix450 · 08-07-04, 09:06 PM

ya i think the law are different in certain areas, this is a first time hearing about raising racoons. ITs gonna be hard to find a home cause a lot of people think they are very agressive, and they get pretty big. Good luck in finding her a home

Meow

Stockwell · 08-07-04, 09:23 PM

Teresa, I suggest Let it go!! The long term prognosis is probably about the same as keeping it.
Jeff is probably right. You can't legally keep most wildlife. Raccoons are considered vermin by most, so they probably don't care. I doubt you'd be charged, but my understanding is that nobody keeps these guys to maturity because they're just too much trouble. The older they are before they're released , the worse the chances.
If it eats and fends for itself, it might be a good time to take it for a deep walk in the woods, before fall comes.

CamHanna · 08-07-04, 10:23 PM

From:

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...sh/97f41_e.htm

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997
S.O. 1997, CHAPTER 41

40. (1) A person shall not keep live game wildlife or live specially protected wildlife in captivity except under the authority of a licence and in accordance with the regulations. 1997, c. 41, s. 40 (1).

"game wildlife" means a furbearing mammal, game amphibian, game bird, game mammal or game reptile;

In SCHEDULE 1 Raccoons are defined as a furbearing mammal and thus game wildlife.

But really, I don't think anyone cares. I used to do some wildlife rehab and can say that most coons do turn snarly after a couple years. I've only ever had a few that didn't.

Tarzet · 08-08-04, 12:15 PM

First of all....I DO NOT have this Raccoon. It is a friends. It is not up to me what happens to it. I am just tring to help her place it somewhere because she asked me to help.

I find it odd how so many wildlife officials never told me it wasnt legal to have them. I have spoken to many about this coon and about others that I have had. Most even suggested I raise it!

I know they are conciderd vermin... and I have shot my fair share that have threaten my chicken coop. But, when someone places an helpless, hungry, orphan baby coon in your arms....what can you do?? I guess I am just a sucker! lol.

CamHanna · 08-08-04, 04:56 PM

I've been suckered into quite a few myself.

Matt.B · 08-08-04, 06:44 PM

Well then wouldnt mice be illigal(great spelling I know:P)? My neibours kid has four wild mice in his room because his mom would not pay for his own pet mice and he wanted to get them for free. so I trapped some mice from my country house and gave em to him.
Matt

CamHanna · 08-08-04, 08:13 PM

Mice are not made illegal by this law because they are not classified as 'game wildlife'. I wouldn't be suprised if there was a law somewhere in this act or another one outlawing keeping wild mice. In all practicality though, I see no reason not to keep wild mice or an orphaned coon.

meow_mix450 · 08-08-04, 10:13 PM

ya its a good point it doesnt say you CANT have them its just suggested that you shouldnt

Meow

Rubix · 08-09-04, 12:32 AM

Once upon a time we had our own little 'coon... of course, the mess it made pooping on things and digging through everything made it neccessary to get rid of it, as is the usual case. At the time, we were living in Ontario, and we ended up giving it to a small scale zoo or animal rehab thinger... I can't remember the name (I was pretty young at the time) But I do know it was in Wendover. It was awhile ago, so I can't say if the place still exists, and I don't know how close you are to Wendover... But perhaps giving it to a place like that could be an option?

I know the chances are slim, as they are common animals and it's true they're considered vermin.. but if it's too domesticated to be released into the wild, it may be something to look at.

Good luck!

Jeff Hathaway · 08-09-04, 07:12 AM

Hey Teresa,

I, too, have been suckered:-) I have raised them before, prior to 1999 when the FWCA came into force. Devastatingly cute little guys, until they get older. Also, incredibly messy!

It is always interesting how often one can get incorrect answers to questions about legal matters pertaining to fish and wildlife, even from MNR staff. Cam has correctly cited the FWCA section which prohibits the keeping of raccoons (and most other wildlife). Unless your friend has a Wildlife Custodian Authorization, legally she cannot keep it, except for a 24 hour period for the purpose of transporting it to an authorized WC. Most wildlife 'rehab' centres are located in or near urban areas, for a variety of reasons. I am not aware of any near you. Toronto Wildlife Centre is one example, as is Aspen Valley near Hunstville. The OSPCA also has a wildlife shelter, in Midland.

As has been said by several people, the odds of your friend being charged are pretty slim. If she rehabs it, I hope she goes to great lengths to make sure it isn't overly friendly with people. Raccoons which walk right up to people looking for food once they're released tend to get shot by people who think they must be rabid.

Realistically, there is no valid ecological argument for 'rehabbing' a raccoon. As major nest predators of turtles and snakes, which are heavily subsidized by human activities in southern Ontario, there is a strong argument for actually culling raccoons!

Wild mice are considered 'wildlife'. Also from the e-laws site: "wildlife" means an animal that belongs to a species that is wild by nature, and includes game wildlife and specially protected wildlife.

Possession of wild mice is not prohibited under Section 40 as the are not game or SP. However, under Sections 5 and 6, hunting or trapping of them would not be allowed except as proscribed by various other sections and/or regulations. But, under Section 31 (protection of property), a person could trap wild mice, and most other wildlife if they believe they are damaging their property. So, Matt, if you trap them in your house because they are 'damaging your property' and then give them to him (note- not 'sell'), then he could legally possess them. But, you couldn't collect some in a field and keep them.

Something I never noticed before- Section 30 prohibits the use of adhesives (those nasty 'glue traps') for the purpose of trapping wildlife, which would include mice! I'll have to mention that to the next store I see selling them:-)

Have fun,

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

Jeff Hathaway · 08-09-04, 07:20 AM

Hey Teresa,

I, too, have been suckered:-) I have raised them before, prior to 1999 when the FWCA came into force. Devastatingly cute little guys, until they get older. Also, incredibly messy!

It is always interesting how often one can get incorrect answers to questions about legal matters pertaining to fish and wildlife, even from MNR staff. Cam has correctly cited the FWCA section which prohibits the keeping of raccoons (and most other wildlife). Unless your friend has a Wildlife Custodian Authorization, legally she cannot keep it, except for a 24 hour period for the purpose of transporting it to an authorized WC. Most wildlife 'rehab' centres are located in or near urban areas, for a variety of reasons. I am not aware of any near you. Toronto Wildlife Centre is one example, as is Aspen Valley near Hunstville. The OSPCA also has a wildlife shelter, in Midland.

As has been said by several people, the odds of your friend being charged are pretty slim. If she rehabs it, I hope she goes to great lengths to make sure it isn't overly friendly with people. Raccoons which walk right up to people looking for food once they're released tend to get shot by people who think they must be rabid.

Realistically, there is no valid ecological argument for 'rehabbing' a raccoon. As major nest predators of turtles and snakes, which are heavily subsidized by human activities in southern Ontario, there is a strong argument for actually culling raccoons!

Wild mice are considered 'wildlife'. Also from the e-laws site: "wildlife" means an animal that belongs to a species that is wild by nature, and includes game wildlife and specially protected wildlife.

Possession of wild mice is not prohibited under Section 40 as the are not game or SP. However, under Sections 5 and 6, hunting or trapping of them would not be allowed except as proscribed by various other sections and/or regulations. But, under Section 31 (protection of property), a person could trap wild mice, and most other wildlife if they believe they are damaging their property. So, Matt, if you trap them in your house because they are 'damaging your property' and then give them to him (note- not 'sell'), then he could legally possess them. But, you couldn't collect some in a field and keep them.

Something I never noticed before- Section 30 prohibits the use of adhesives (those nasty 'glue traps') for the purpose of trapping wildlife, which would include mice! I'll have to mention that to the next store I see selling them:-)

Have fun,

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

Squirrel · 08-09-04, 08:46 PM

I have always wanted to raise a baby raccoon, but I live in the US, and I'm sure that customs would have a fit iof I tried to bring that little girl over the border. <sigh>