About Mallow

Lucky! 🍀

You may have arrived on this page because you got to meet Mallow in person!

If you thought he was a fox, weasel, ferret, or opossum, you’re not alone! It can be hard to recognize a raccoon when you don’t see a mask or ringed tail.

Mallow is a raccoon with albinism. He was born completely unable to produce melanin, the pigment that gives raccoons those characteristic traits.

If you saw Mallow out in public, it’s because he was getting some enrichment and training! We make sure he is used to new people and places so he can do well in his job as an education ambassador and so he doesn’t get too bored with life in human care.

Why isn’t he in the wild?

We are primarily a wildlife rehabilitation facility. We return animals to their natural home whenever it is at all possible. However, when an animal is medically unfit to live in the natural world, we give them a permanent home in captivity. These animals are our education ambassadors and help to teach the public about native wild animals.

Pigment is important for the proper development of the eyes and ears in raccoons. Like many albino animals, Mallow is profoundly deaf. Although he is not completely blind, he does have some eyesight limitations, especially in bright light and in darkness.

Mallow also has other medical issues, including some difficulty with walking and balance and differences in his reproductive system. He could not have survived in the wild, and his mother, instinctively knowing this, abandoned him as a baby. He was found and rescued while in the last stages of dehydration and starvation.

Where can I get one?

The short answer: don’t!

Raccoons make terrible pets. They are very difficult to train and are highly intelligent, meaning they need constant engagement and entertainment. They are highly destructive, making even the world’s most difficult cats and dogs look easy by comparison. Imagine a cross between a bear and a toddler!

Raccoons’ nutritional, environmental, and veterinary needs are nearly impossible for an average person to meet. Additionally, because it is illegal in Tennessee (and most other states) to have a wild-born animal as a pet, a raccoon kidnapped from the wild will never be able to see a veterinarian, so it can never have proper care.

Captive-bred raccoons are expensive and most raccoon breeders engage in very unethical practices. Many breeders intentionally create raccoons like Mallow through extreme inbreeding without regard for the animals’ welfare. It is cruel to intentionally create a disabled animal to meet the demand for quirky exotic pets.

Raccoons belong in the wild whenever possible. When it’s not possible, non-releasable raccoons like Mallow should be placed with qualified professionals in licensed sanctuaries and education facilities.

If you want a new pet, please adopt from your local shelters and rescues! Albino domestic ferrets are often available to adopt through rescues and are the closest thing to a Mallow you can get— and much easier to care for!

May I pet him?

Sorry, but no!

Mallow is very tame and very friendly due to his disabilities and training, but he is still a wild animal and may react unpredictably to new people. He is also unable to hear you and he can’t see you well, so he may bite, either out of fear or just trying to “mouth” you to navigate his surroundings.

Mallow is vaccinated for rabies, but the use of rabies vaccines in raccoons is considered off-label. Legally, he would be treated as unvaccinated if he were to bite you, and state law would likely require him to be tested for rabies— a test that unfortunately cannot occur in a living animal.

We don’t want harm to come to Mallow or to his fans, so please do not pet him!

Can I take a picture?

Sure! We just ask that you specify that he’s an education animal so your friends know he isn’t a pet. We don’t want anyone seeing Mallow out of context and thinking that it’s a good idea to get an albino raccoon!

Feel free to tag us in any photos you take!

Where can I see more Mallow?

Mallow does education programs in the greater Chattanooga area! He can come to schools, scouting groups, and even birthday parties. We are licensed by the USDA and TWRA to exhibit Mallow to the public and are happy to make time for him to visit you!

You can also check us out on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to see more Mallow! He’s a handsome boy and you’ll see a lot of him!

In an emergency: