Can I Domesticate a Wild Raccoon?

It is highly advised to never attempt the domestication of a wild raccoon, or any other animal, even if it is only a pup. Raccoons, just like any wild animal, are not programmed to be tamed and trained. The only people who are qualified to train, adopt, and care for wild raccoons are professional animal rescue associations, such as Zoos and other wildlife sanctuaries. For everyone else, owning a pet raccoon can very risky. Continue reading to learn why.

Instinctual Raccoon Behavior

Raccoons are very cute and highly intelligent, making them desirable to exotic pet owners. Unfortunately, raccoons natural instincts and behavior are not domestic-friendly. For example, raccoons are very independent; it can be almost impossible to litter box train them, as many raccoon pet owners admit to trying. Cleaning up after a pet raccoon is a constant, never-ending chore. It is not just droppings, food, and urine that needs cleaning; it is also all the destruction they are capable of as well. They are excellent climbers, and would not hesitate to climb up banisters, rooftops, walls, and more. Their claws are long and sharp; creating holes, rips, and scratches everywhere. This is the lighter side to domesticated pet raccoons. It gets much uglier.

Raccoons can simply not be told what to do, unless they are trained by an expert animal tamer from the time they are born. Other than this rare circumstance, raccoon domestication is not typically successful or safe. They have thousands of years of urges to hunt, feed, nest, breed, and roam freely instilled in their species. This is not something that can be easily overcome. If raised from a pup, a raccoon will eventually turn on its owners once it reaches adolescents, due to these instilled urges and instincts.

Animal Ownership Legalities

Another very important reason to not domesticate a wild raccoons regards the law. In most cities, exotic animal ownership is not tolerated or it has very strict limitations. If it is a tolerated practice, most likely licensed and permits will be mandatory. Owning a pet raccoon is not like having a cat or dog, it is a lifestyle and huge commitment. In states like Indiana, a raccoon is classified as a Class 2 exotic animal, and requires a license and a permit to own one. These can be hard to come by, involving background checks, investigations, inspections, paperwork, and more. If a person does not abide by the local exotic animal ownership laws, they can be subjected to huge fines, evictions, and potential jail time.

For more information about wild raccoons, call Louisville Raccoon Removal in Kentucky. We are highly trained and qualified raccoon control specialists with over 20 years of service in Louisville. We are BBB members and a fully insured company. We are happy to answer any questions about why wild raccoons are dangerous. Call us at 502-553-7622 for details about our raccoon control services in Louisville, KY, or visit our website at https://www.raccoonremovallouisvilleky.com any time.

Common Raccoon Diseases That Threaten the Lives of our Dogs

There are many animals out in the wild that are common threats to us and our families. There are snakes, spiders, coyotes, mountain lions, and more, depending on what region you live near. One common threat that is hardly overlooked is the wild raccoon. Although we humans are aware to steer clear of these critters when spotted, our outdoor pets are not as keen. Our domesticated dogs, in particular, are at risk to raccoon illness and disease. Continue reading to learn the two most common diseases carried by raccoons and passed onto dogs; and how to care and prevent these scenarios in the future.

Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is a very familiar term heard often around veterinary offices. There are vaccinations available and recommended at the beginning of each new puppy’s life to protect them from this illness. The vaccination does not last forever, so it is always strangely suggested to return for a follow up visit. Canine distemper is a virus that can affect any wild animal; not just dogs. The virus is transferred and caught through bodily fluid exchanges, such as sneezing, urine, and saliva. It threatens the lives of our outdoor dogs because it can be easily contracted by a curious canine. An infected dog will appear have the same symptoms as a very severe flu or cold. Unfortunately, there is no real cure for Canine Distemper, which is why prevention is so crucial. The vet can only make the process more comfortable for the dog, once it is diagnosed.

Rabies

Another common illness contracted by canines is rabies. As with canine distemper, there is no cure for rabies, and also, no way to diagnose it. The only way to determine that a dog has rabies is after death. A sample of the brain tissue can be examined to determine the cause of death. A professional vet can observe a dog’s symptoms and decide if they are exhibiting the symptoms of rabies. At that time, the dog will be quarantined and put to sleep. Be sure to have your pets vaccinated for canine distemper and rabies, especially if you live in a wooded area or have outdoor pets.

If you are experiencing high raccoon infestation near or on your Louisville, KY property, call our professional wildlife removal specialists to get rid of your raccoon threat. We are qualified and highly trained raccoon removal technicians with over 20 years of experience in the industry. We use safe and humane methods to get rid of raccoons. Visit our website at https://www.raccoonremovallouisvilleky.com/, or call us at 502-553-7622 and learn more about our raccoon removal services in Louisville, KY.

How to Get Rid of Raccoons in the Attic

If you have discovered raccoons living in your attic, then it is time to take some action. Raccoons are reason for concern when it comes to the structural integrity of your home. Their colonies will make a mess of any space they occupy. Their droppings will soak into sheet rock and saturate dry wall, their meal debris will accumulate and rot, they can chew through electrical wiring, and the odor from this can eventually seep into living quarters of the house. These reasons and more are why it is so vital to take immediate action to get rid of raccoons in your attic.

Raccoon Removal

In order to get rid of raccoons in the attic, professional attention is necessary for safe and effective control. Raccoons can carry diseases and even be aggressive if they are protecting their young. This means it should be left to an experienced professional to remove raccoons from any residential property. Never try to get rid of raccoons yourself. It can be dangerous and risky for someone unfamiliar with raccoon behavior, and who lacks proper equipment to carry out the job. A licensed professional knows the safe and humane way to remove raccoons and prevent them from coming back again. They also retain the proper equipment, knowledge, and experience to handle any situation.

So if you find raccoons in your attic, the first thing to do is call a licensed raccoon removal company for an estimate. Along with an estimate, they should be able to walk you through the process and inform you of everything you need to know relating to your situation. Some raccoon control specialists offer 24 hour emergency services and can be dispatched right away, while others can offer next-day responses. Either way, you’ll be informed of what actions to take while waiting for the professionals to arrive.

Next, the raccoon removal company will remove the raccoons from the attic. A licensed company should always use safe and humane methods to extract raccoons from attics and other areas of a home. Once this is done, there will most likely be a mess left behind. In this case, the raccoon control technicians will facilitate a cleanup, all while repairing and restoring the space back to its original condition.

When the removal and cleanup steps are complete, ask the company to recommend prevention tips to avoid further raccoon invasions. A licensed and professional raccoon control company can provide all the necessary preventative maintenance for your home, and seal up any vulnerable spots that raccoons could access. This way, you can rest assure you will not face this situation ever again!

Raccoon Control Louisville KY

For more information about getting rid of raccoons in the attic in Louisville, KY, call our professionals at 502-553-7622. We are highly trained and qualified to remove raccoons from residential and commercial properties. We have been serving the Kentucky communities for decades and always use safe and humane methods to extract raccoons.