Cross Breeds

How to adopt wild animals that are too tame to be released back into the wild?

How would someone go about adopting wild animals that have been rehabilitated but deemed too tame to be released back into the wild? Thing could be foxes, skunks, raccoons, etc. I want to know who I would contact and how to go about making that happen.

Public Comments

1. Even though many animals are very tame when young, once they reach 7-12 months, they turn wild, want to breed, and attack their owners. I am fostering a 7 week old baby squirrel, he is SUPER tame, but he is a wild animal and belongs in the wild. He will become vicious at 9-10 months old. I am releasing him at about 4-6 months old.
2. Generally this is illegal and you have to have a special license. You would also need to have a specialist degree in wild animal care and of course, live in the country. Depending on where you live (this is an international site), it would be best to check with your local wildlife center or wildlife protection agency and see what kind of info that they can offer to you.
3. you have to have the knowledge and facilities to do this contact your wildlife resource in your area
4. Normally, places where you could get these animals is NOT allowed. You could contact your local wild-life rehabilitation center and see what they say, but I'm pretty positive it's illegal - or you'd have to work/volunteer for one and you'd most likely have to have a rehabilitators permit to do so. (I'm pretty sure that it's not only against policy, but is illegal to do what you're asking as well, without special permits.) I'd suggest volunteering at one - I do... I'm not allowed to adopt any of our 'permanent residents', but I love working with them when I go there..... I think some places will allow you to adopt them (not at my place), but I guess I'm not too sure. If you want other options, there are sanctuaries/wild-life sanctuaries that while they may rehab wild animals, they also take in exotic animal pets that can no longer be cared for - so those pets would be even tamer, and some need a home, so more places like that are willing to adopt out their animals, because they are considered pets instead of wild-life - they just want to ensure that you can provide them a permanent home... If you'd like some of those places, I could probably link you to some... Good luck! :)