Raccoons as Pets? Some cons.

The greater risk lies in its interpretation. “People hear what they think is a scientific justification for having this animal as a pet,” O’Neil said. “People are not going to do enough digging to realize, Oh my God, this is a really bad idea.” I did not quite understand what she meant until I spoke with Dave, who had impulsively bought a raccoon kit from an exotic-pet dealer a few years ago and now cohabits with “a total asshole.” Are Raccoons Evolving Into Pets?