Pet Tips

Ever wondered what it might be like to take a cute little wild animal into your home as a pet? I imagine it could be tempting. Before your go shopping for squirrel bedding, a raccoon collar or opossum chow, take a minute to think this through. For one, keeping wildlife as pets is illegal. True, you would have little chance of ever being caught, but there are other considerations. Wild animals are wild. We can't predict their behavior nearly as well as we can with domestic animals, and even they surprise us. Wild animals could possible pass something nasty along to you. And, what about all the domestic animals who need homes? We don't need more domesticated species when so many existing species continue to be discarded. Still, we know there are people who want a closer look at wild animals living around them. Get glasses, get binoculars, or (here's our best suggestion) volunteer in our nationally renowned Wildlife Rescue Center. You'll get all the up-close action you can handle, plus the rewards of seeing rehabilitated animals return to their natural habitat. Call 650-340-7022, ext. 324.

You might see Scott and his companion, Cooper around town. In addition to working for and representing PHS/SPCA, they also volunteer at the Magnolia Center in Burlingame.