Wouldn't it be interesting to be the only kid in the neighborhood with a wolf for a pet? Maybe not.
Aside from it being against the law in many places, catching and keeping a wild animal as a pet isn't the best thing you can do for yourself or the animal. Wild animals are NOT like our domesticated dogs and cats, who have shelves upon shelves at the pet food store of diets formulated specifically for their nutritional needs, and any kind of toy you can think of for playtime.
Wild animals have dietary needs that we may not be aware of. It is a sad truth that many wild animals in captivity sicken and even die because of a lack of proper nutrition. We don't have Armadillo Chow, so it is probably best to let the animals take care of themselves.
Wild animal babies may be intensely cute, but what happens after they've been hand-raised by humans? Wild animals will always be wild--their instincts for self-preservation may kick in as they grown into adulthood, and what was once cute and cuddly might become angry and vicious. Releasing it into the wild might seem like a good idea, but that animal doesn't know how to care for itself, or even how to act like others of its own kind. It may not survive.
Being held in captivity, even by people who are loving and caring, can be very stressful to a wild animal. They are born thinking of us a predators. They are also stripped of their ability to roam freely, as they would had they not been captured. This is not fair to the animal.
Finally, and quite importantly, we need to remember that wild animals can carry many diseases the people can catch. In Texas, we have several species that are known to harbor Rabies and are taught to never come in contact with these animals in the wild (bats, foxes, coyotes, raccoons and skunks.) They can also carry diseases that our companion animals can get, such as distemper. You put yourself at risk by bringing a wild animal into your home.
The very best place to look for the pet that's right for you is the local shelter or rescue organization. These aren't dedicated solely to dogs and cats, either. Reptiles and rodents need homes, too, and there are plenty out there. So please leave wild critters where they can stay wild and open your home to an animal who has had thousands of years of domestication behind it. It's a win-win-win situation.
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