Cathie Gregg

I am a member of the public and a New Hampshire wildlife rehabilitator licensed with NH Fish and Game. I work at Elaine Conners Wildcare in Madison and oppose this bill. Wild animals are not companion animals and should not be in the hands of the general public. Wild animals are not suitable pets, and their instincts drive them to live their lives in nature. There is no recognized and safe vaccine against rabies, especially in raccoons, which can be a vector of rabies. Any wild animal is apt to be unpredictable, especially when held in captivity and more so when they reach the age of sexual maturity. As wildlife professionals, rehabilitators work hard to keep wildlife out of the hands of the public and to educate the general population against holding wildlife as any kind of captive "pet". I strongly oppose this bill.