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From: elaine@hpmtlb.UUCP (elaine)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: Orphaned Response
Message-ID: <15700001@hpmtlb.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 6-Mar-85 18:33:00 EST
Article-I.D.: hpmtlb.15700001
Posted: Wed Mar  6 18:33:00 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 10-Mar-85 08:18:26 EST
References: <293@cbsck.UUCP>
Organization: HP Manufacturing Test Division (Loveland)
Lines: 38



One option you might consider is to get in touch 
with the local wildlife rescue group.  (Try the 
state fish & game officer in your area).  I volunteered
for such an organization when I was in high school.
The basic idea is to care for injured and orphaned wildlife
until they can be released.  It lets you be around cute, wild
animals without unnecessarily depriving them of their freedom.

If you do decide to get a raccoon, here are a few observations:

1.  Raccoons are good fighters and can inflict a lot of 
    damage.  The loose skin around their neck makes them
    difficult to restrain.  

2.  Raccoons seem to get nasty after puberty (~1 year).  I've
    heard neutering helps.

3.  Rabies is a serious problem in wild raccoon populations.
    If you decide to get your raccoon vaccinated against rabies,
    make sure the vet uses KILLED virus (not live or modified live
    virus).  Raccoons, skunks, fxxes, and other wild animals cannot
    tolerate live virus vaccines.  They may develop rabies from the
    vaccination.

4.  If you do get a pet raccoon and then later decide you don't
    want it anymore, please give it to a zoo or put it to sleep.
    Raccoons learn how to survive in the wild from their mothers.
    Pet adult raccoons are almost impossible to teach.  They will
    end up being campground raccoons (the lucky ones) or dead of
    starvation.

For further information on wildlife rescue,  I suggest reading
The Care of The Wild, Feathered, and Furred.  

Elaine May
hplabs!hpfcla!hplvla!elaine