Keeping wild animals as pets

After three baby squirrels lost their home to a chain saw, North Carolina woman Gail Latta tried unsuccessfully to feed them.

Then she turned to Pixie, her Poodle who had recently had her own pups. They had been sold, but Pixie was still able to nurse the baby squirrels for two weeks until they were old enough to be weaned.

Because she thought she might be violating state regulations by keeping wildlife in her home, Latta wisely turned them over to an animal rehabilitation specialist who will keep them until they can be released on his own property.

States have different laws regarding keeping wild animals as house pets, but whatever the law says, it is generally not a good idea. Dogs and cats have been domesticated for thousands of years. Wild animals are not like they are in Disney movies.

We had some neighbors who adopted an orphan baby skunk. They had her de-scented and named her Blossom.

Everything you want in a pet, Blossom was not. She was never interested in affection or bonding with humans, she used the litter box—sometimes, she ran fast and was difficult to catch, she was nocturnal, noisy, and destructive.

They ended up keeping her in a cage which they moved to the basement each night. Too late they realized that having Blossom in their lives brought no joy to her or to them.

If you’re following Carlos at the Owl Box, every day someone wants to know if  owls make good pets. He is quite adamant in saying no. Carlos has done a lot of work to allow people to learn about and experience the lives of owls in the wild where they belong.

Near our town there is a wildlife rehabilitation center which takes in young and wounded animals. Their success comes when the animal maintains its fear of humans and is healthy enough to be released into the wild.

I worked with a woman—I’ll call her Margie because that was her name. She just “loved animals” so she volunteered to work at the center.

Margie was one of those people who knew more than anyone else. In spite of the orientation, instead of just cleaning out the cages as she was supposed to do, she insisted on giving the animals treats and trying to pet them.

After less than a week she was asked not to come back. Of course she had to tell everyone how cruel the wildlife workers were.

Have any of you had an experience or know someone who tried to domesticate a wild animal?

Comments

[Khyra]

My mom once tried to domestikhte a Siberian Husky...

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: So, where's your skhwirrels?

[Lynne]

My uncle as a young man worked at UCD in the primate area. He thought he'd cuddle a monkey and it opened a can of whoop ass on him. Scratched and bit him and he got some sort of pox disease from it. His face is pitted to this day from it.

[Big_Dave_T]

Reminds me of the recent news clip of that guy who climbed a fence to go pet some lions at the zoo. He learned his lesson. Just because animals are in captivity, doesn't mean they're docile.

[Tammy]

I haven't known anyone personally who kept a wild animal... but boy, it seems like a lot of people try it!

I personally don't have an interest in it at all. I love my kitties, but they are wild enough for me! I can't imagine trying to domesticate an animal who has no interest in being domesticated! It just isn't the thing to do. Enjoy the animals as they are - in the wild! Not in your basement!

[jackie]

you have better luck taming a husband than a wild animal..

[georgie]

My first dog (from the moment I came home from being born until I was six) was a wolf/shepherd mix. I still get a bit misty eyed when I see a wolf hybrid but know they are not meant to be domesticated. My family now tries to domesticate standard poodles but get the feeling the poodles think they are training us.

[Becky]

The squirrels are so cute. I once, unsuccessfully, tried to save some really young baby rabbits. The mother had abandoned the nest after I mowed over it. Sad

[Sling]

We had a Capuchin monkey for years when I was a kid.
He was affectionate,and easily trained.
I loved that monkey!

[MJ]

@ Jackie - really ? Have you ever tried taming a husband ?!?! I have - trust me - wild animals are much easier !

[mb.]

I keep emus...but not in the house.

& my mother used to have a skunk. He did bond very closely with her & she kept him in her bathrobe pocket until he was too big & then made a bed/tent for him out of the robe when he got older. I never really warmed up to him but I was away at school & I suspect not-usually-domesticated-animals need constant contact to maintain any kind of bond. There is no question he was crazy about my mother, though. & yes he was de-scented but I don't think he arrived that way; I don't exactly know how he arrived, now that I think about it.

[Tony]

What a good little mummy poody she is. That photo is so cute & is the 1st time I've ever seen a dog feeding squirrels. Too bad about poor little blossom though.

[Lindsay]

Very, very good post. I am one of those people who had a tendency to tame wild animals. I try to feed the ducks in our yard bread crumbs, for example. This was a good reminder to me that wild animals should remain wild. It's safer for the animals and humans that way.

[cube]

Although my heart might compell me to take in a wild pet, my biology degree wins out in the end. There's a reason why they're called 'wild' animals. Most of the time they don't make good pets.

[Pet Care]

The photo looks cool.. They look cute

[Veterinary Pet Insurance]

Wild animals should separate from non-wild... it's also a benefit for both of them, keeping them away is for safe purposes...

[Dan the Zoo Coupons Guy]

Keeping wild animals can be dangerous. I heard a story of a dude who kept a Puma and it escaped into a housing development.

[Cheap Chanel Bags]

Tässä on would not harm small businesses. Their response shows the lack of understanding that they have of the cosmetic industry, ingredients and science in general.

[Walter Tully]

Wildlife should be left alone. Never feed or pet them because it's safer for us humans and, more importantly, for the animals. We make sure these wildlife seclusion rules are strictly carried out here in Denver. Parks and recreation centers always remind people about this rule. If you don't understand why it is safer for animals to be scared of humans, I can give an example. If we give food or take care of wild deers, they will start gathering to your place. This will ruin their natural instinct on how to find food for themselves. Now, if the deers will continue to dwell mostly on urban areas, chances are, their predators will soon follow. Unless you want mountain lions having a blast in your yard, I suggest you refrain from interacting with animals.