today I saw something "baby" walking in the grass by itself, so I t turned the truck around, and pulled to the side. The baby had now made it to the side of the road and I saw that it was a raccoon about 5 or 6 weeks old. A little smaller than both of my fists put together, I do have small hands. So as I stood there with my hand out trying to get the on coming truck to slow down, (it didn't) I thought sheeeeeesh. There was another open lane and no other cars for the light was red. He would have run right over him, he cleared me by only a couple feet. Isn't standing there with your hand palm out with your arm straight ou a sign of slow down, or stop or danger?. Little fiercy feisty baby let me know it was a good thing I put the plastic carrier in the back of the truck for just this kind of emergency. So I ran back and got the carrier, baby still on the side of the road, and ran back. He hissed hissed grrrr rolled right into the carrier with a final summersault to the bottom. I held it up right and closed the door. I brought him home, put in a soft green blanket and some water, covered with a towel for seclusion, set the metronome to a good heart rate and sat and watched. Little feisty baby kneaded that blanket like a kitten, then rolled in a ball and tucked his her head into a crease. Sooooooo tired. Soon as I closed the door on the way out tho, the crying began. So again, I set the metronome and sat quietly until this time I could slip out. Tomorrow little feisty baby can be escorted to the wild life vet. I marked downt he area I found baby in, but I had watched and waited for about 20 minutes and saw no sign of any other siblings, and certainly no Mama specially out in the open at 6 pm. There wasn't anything else I could do. This one is far too young to be on it's own. click for video.
THis was in the truck on the way home.
I was very careful to keep my hands and body out of harms way. I would not recoomend anyone to do such a thing without that knowledge. Holding the carrier open and letting him get himself in was all that had to be done. The last time I picked up a baby raccoon all I had was a metal can but that baby who was older shot into that can like it was a hollow log of safety. I put the lid on just enough to allow air, but could close it quickly if I had to. From there to a crate at home. I found this cat kennel that someone ahd thrown out and I pick them up when I do find them to take to the shelter. I had started to put in the garage last week and thought I really should put that in the back of the truck for a rescue box if I need it. IF anyone stole it I certainly wouldn't be out anything. WHen I approached little feisty he growl growl and arched like a cat. I didn't have a jacket or gloves, or a net, and I sure as heck wasn't putting my hands down there. A bite would have been a death sentence for him along with pain for me. So horray for crate and fore thought. I want so badly to go in and look at him, her but it's best I don't. Hopefully there will be other baby raccoons for him her to be with at the sanctuary.
Bless the wildlife vet for all he does and for being there at 8 am in the morning.
THis was in the truck on the way home.
I was very careful to keep my hands and body out of harms way. I would not recoomend anyone to do such a thing without that knowledge. Holding the carrier open and letting him get himself in was all that had to be done. The last time I picked up a baby raccoon all I had was a metal can but that baby who was older shot into that can like it was a hollow log of safety. I put the lid on just enough to allow air, but could close it quickly if I had to. From there to a crate at home. I found this cat kennel that someone ahd thrown out and I pick them up when I do find them to take to the shelter. I had started to put in the garage last week and thought I really should put that in the back of the truck for a rescue box if I need it. IF anyone stole it I certainly wouldn't be out anything. WHen I approached little feisty he growl growl and arched like a cat. I didn't have a jacket or gloves, or a net, and I sure as heck wasn't putting my hands down there. A bite would have been a death sentence for him along with pain for me. So horray for crate and fore thought. I want so badly to go in and look at him, her but it's best I don't. Hopefully there will be other baby raccoons for him her to be with at the sanctuary.
Bless the wildlife vet for all he does and for being there at 8 am in the morning.