Orphaned Raccoon lives like a family member

A Bahamian women keeps a raccoon as a pet and surprisingly the wild creature -- generally branded as one of the most extremely active, curious and destructive animals – becomes a part of her family.
Rosie Kemp rescued the a month-old raccoon, which was named Pampkin afterwards, last year when the creature fell out from a tree in her backyard, reports The Dodo, a digital portal on animals.  
Pumpkin was very weak, and had broken her back leg. Kemp waited, but when the raccoon's mother didn't return she decided to take her in, it said.

Kemp lives in Nassau, Bahamas, where there are no raccoon rescues and it's legal to own them. Determined to give the tiny cub her best possible chance, Kemp and her daughter, Laura Young, raised the little raccoon just like one of their own. They fed the cub every few hours round the clock and kept her warm and toasty, just like her mom would have.
"Raising her was (and still is) a full-time job," Young told The Dodo. "They are so unbelievably intelligent, very aware, and I would say they are even able to express emotions."
Now Pumpkin lives with Young, her husband, William, and their two rescue dogs, and appears to be as happy as can be. Her adventures are chronicled on her Instagram account, where Young and her friends post photos of Pumpkin's daily life.
"Raising her was (and still is) a full-time job," said Young. "They are so unbelievably intelligent, very aware, and I would say they are even able to express emotions."

She loves to hang out with her dog siblings …

… and relax outdoors …
… and cuddle up on the couch.

And being a raccoon, she needs to have her hands in everything that goes on …

… especially if it's food.

"She instantly bonded with us and our two rescue dogs and follows me and our two dogs everywhere we go," Young said. "She now thinks she is a dog … she is able to play and be rough with them and she respects them when they have had enough."

And Pumpkin has no problem making herself heard. One morning, Young said, she was in a room with Pumpkin and the dogs when Pumpkin decided she wanted out. So she climbed onto a basket by the door and proceeded to try and open the knob herself.

"Raccoons are NOT pets," Young explained. "They are wild animals, so they are quite moody. Unlike dogs and cats, they are not domesticated. Like a spoilt child if she doesn't get her way, she will let you know."

Raccoons, like all wild animals, belong in the wild whenever possible. But since Pumpkin missed out on that life, her family is devoted to making sure she has everything she needs to thrive.

And she seems quite happy with it. Young said Pumpkin loves air conditioning, and feasting on treats like sunny-side up eggs and watermelon. She's even learned to use the toilet to go to the bathroom.

Thanks to Young and her family, the year-old raccoon has a home and a bright life ahead of her. And most importantly, she has people who will do anything they can to keep her happy -- even if her life is a bit unusual.

"We are very lucky with her and always want and will do what is best for Pumpkin," Young said. "But for now she is very happy with us and the dogs!"

You can follow Pumpkin on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Note: Raccoons do not usually make good pets and are illegal or restricted in much of the US While rabies is not considered a threat to land animals in the Bahamas, raccoons in the US are major rabies carriers, and if they bite someone will almost always be put down for rabies testing (which makes human contact dangerous for them). They are also extremely active, curious and destructive animals and, as with any wild species, do best in the wild whenever possible. If you do find an injured or baby raccoon in the US, please contact your local wildlife rescue for help.