Philadelphia Front Page News In Brief - Is It Legal To Have A Pet Raccoon In Philly? Or Should I Rather Have A Raccoon-Book About Roger Robbie Instead? by Van Stone frontpagenew1@yahoo.com (215) 821-9147

Philadelphia Front Page News In Brief - Is It Legal To Have A Pet Raccoon In Philly? Or Should I Rather Have A Raccoon-Book About Roger Robbie Instead? by Van Stone frontpagenew1@yahoo.com (215) 821-9147

 

Roger Robbie, "the Hip Hop Raccoon"

Currently, there are only 16 states that allow raccoons to be kept as pets. If you live in one of the states where it is legal to have a pet raccoon, there are strict regulations you need to follow, not to mention all the problems that come with pet raccoons. 

It's legal to own a pet raccoon in the following states: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Philadelphia is not a state. Nevertheless, It is legal to keep a raccoon as a pet in Philly; so there you have it. 

With how adorable raccoons can be, with how they use their little paws and mask-like markings that make them look like little bandits, (hey, think of Roger Robbie Hip Hop Raccoon), some people wonder if you can get a pet raccoon. 

But before we get the the main topic, we can't ignore the sub topic. 

Bandits are heroes.

While most bandits are known to commit crimes it's good for you to know that raccoons don't; and that goes for Roger Robbie, the Hip Hop Raccoon also.   

Okay. Back to the main topic. 

While uncommon, people have kept pet raccoons over the years, including President Calvin Coolidge while he was in the White House. However, pet raccoons generally don’t make good pets. Here’s what you need to know about keeping raccoons as pets.

Smart as raccoons are, they are still wild animals. Raccoons are known for their mischievous and unpredictable nature, and even when they’ve been domesticated, they still maintain aggressive behavior. They can bite even humans they’re closest with. Pet raccoons can be friendly and cuddly, but they can also attack at any given moment with their long, sharp claws and vicious teeth. 

Raccoons are very intelligent and can be affectionate, but even the tamest raccoon is unpredictable and very mischievous. They would require a lot of time, attention, and care, and are a massive commitment; oh, and you need a wild animal permit to keep one, too. 

That being said, it's much more fun to have a book about raccoons. 

Reading a book about raccoons doesn't require a lot of time, attention, and care. Owning a raccoon-book is not a massive commitment.

People have attempted to breed raccoons in order to make them good pets, in the hopes that the more generations that are born in captivity, the more easily domesticated they will be. 

However, unlike your typical household pets like cats and dogs, raccoons can’t be completely domesticated. When they reach their age of maturity, they can abruptly become aggressive and will bite you, your loved ones, and other pets.

 If a raccoon has been raised in captivity, it shouldn’t be released back into the wild. Raccoons maintain their wild side even with all the time, love, and care in the world and even after having been bred in and raised in captivity for generations. 

Raccoons are known for being carriers of several diseases, such as rabies, salmonella, roundworm, lepidopterist, and more. They can also have parasites, such as lice, fleas, and ticks. In some states where it is legal to have a pet raccoon, such as Texas, it is illegal to have them neutered, so you would also need to worry about a potential litter on your homes, if your raccoon escapes.

Provided that your state allows you to have pet raccoons, you can’t just take a wild raccoon. You would need to find a reputable raccoon breeder and follow all state regulations. The states in which it is legal to have a pet raccoon have different regulations, so you will need to look these up and carefully adhere to them. 

When all has been said and done, just love raccoons from afar in a safe and honorable way. Well, as for Roger Robbie the lovable Raccoon, everyone can just love him up close. Safety is what RR is all about.  

Visit the Roger Robbie the Hip Hop Raccoon web address at rogerrobbiehiphop.org. to learn more info about the character and friends. Or contact Van Stone at wvsr1360@yahoo.com. Call (215) 821-9147.