Presidents in recent years have had more traditional house pets, but Calvin & Grace Coolidge filled the White House with exotic pets of all sorts. Rebecca the Raccoon was one such pet that has been immortalized in photographs with Grace Coolidge. Rebecca was very typical of a raccoon kept as an exotic house pet.

The exploits of a pet raccoon are enough to keep someone employed full-time. With their nimble fingers they are able to get into any type of mischief possible (as many campers are aware). Knobs, latches, and hinges are no problem. They are terrific escape artists (Rebecca did) and not very trainable. Raccoons are able to be litter trained, but during mating season and bad moods they are likely to let you know with deposits made outside their box. They are incredibly curious and will thoroughly investigate any visitor within range. Rebecca had a penchant for climbing under skirts and tearing panty hose of the White House staffers.

Owning a pet raccoon requires a great deal of investigation and consideration. The laws vary state to state – some allow ownership (unlimited), allow ownership with permits, do not allow ownership, allow only bred ownership, and/or allow only orphaned ownership. Breeding them is even more detailed and complex legally as is the quantity (# of raccoons) allowed. Because they are such mischievous creatures they do require full-time monitoring. Raccoons require plenty of space to investigate/play and most cages cannot be built big enough; they need the run of the house.

Part of the legal issue in ownership is due to the fact that raccoons can carry rabies and distemper. Both can be vaccinated against, but the laws typically do not differentiate between wild and pet raccoons; if your pet bites someone they could be confiscated and tested for rabies which would be the end of your pet. Raccoons can also carry Baylisascaris procyonis, a roundworm, which can be transmitted to other mammals (including humans). It can cause problems with the central nervous system, blindness, and death. Prevention of the roundworm is possible, but requires strict diligence in application.

The raccoon is omnivorous and recreating their wild diet can be difficult and expensive. It is definitely not for the squeamish as raccoons eat the young of many bird and mammal species. One of the biggest problems pet raccoon owners face is making sure the raccoon gets enough exercise which is different than mere investigative activities. The death of many pet raccoons is diet and exercise related (heart disease due to obesity).

Personality changes and possibly reverting to all wild behavior is possible at puberty. Releasing of the pet back into the wild is not possible without proper rehabilitation. It will likely starve to death slowly without rehabilitation since it does not have the skills needed to survive.

Raccoons in captivity can live upwards of 15 years. Please act responsibly and ensure that if you acquire a raccoon for a pet you do so legally and will care for it the rest of its life.