Thought I might share a life story from a few months ago to brighten your day. Back in March, I spotted a raccoon on the side of the interstate that had very clearly been run over. I pulled over thinking I’d have to put it out of its misery. We ended up becoming good friends.
It was around rush hour and a snow storm was setting in. He couldn’t move his back legs at all, but after one look at him I knew he might have a chance to survive.
Animal control wouldn’t do anything, but I managed to find someone 60 miles or so away of who might take him in.
So, against my better judgement, I threw a beach towel over him and wrangled him into the back of my SUV. I understand, obviously, that these little guys can carry rabies - it did not keep me from helping him and I would do it again. 🤷
I got there and it turned out she couldn’t take him in - she wasn’t authorized to treat “rabies vectored” species. She gave me the phone number of someone who would. 80 miles away. In Culpepper, VA. At this point it was 7PM & the storm had set in. Our friend was still calm, tho!
It took a couple hours in some pretty terrible conditions but eventually, we arrived! At this point the raccoon had fallen asleep, lol. I woke him up, hopeful we’d reached his new home, a sprawling, beautiful farm.
Karen Lamb (fantastic name given her job) was the real hero of the night. She runs Nirvana Ridge, a wildlife sanctuary. She managed to get our friend into a cage, and she promised to look after him and do the right thing if needed.
I was so deeply relieved at Karen’s initial observation - the raccoon didn’t seem to be in much pain and was super alert and calm, all encouraging signs.
By the next morning, our friend was feeling *a lot* better. Still hobbling around but eating and drinking normally, warm and comfortable.
Over the next month or so, Karen kept our little guy in an enclosure in her barn, with several other raccoons. Miraculously, he made a near full recovery. I had assumed his back was broken - I was wrong. I returned a couple of times to see him. I am so grateful to Karen, truly.
The happy end: Karen cut him loose recently. He has the run of her property in the woods now.
I only ever named him the day before he was released - a friend suggested “Clover,” because we were both so lucky to have found each other. ☘️ A few weeks later, I stuck him on my leg.
Thought I might share a life story from a few months ago to brighten your day. Back in March, I spotted a raccoon on the side of the interstate that had very clearly been run over. I pulled over thinking I’d have to put it out of its misery. We ended up becoming good friends. It was around rush hour and a snow storm was setting in. He couldn’t move his back legs at all, but after one look at him I knew he might have a chance to survive.
Animal control wouldn’t do anything, but I managed to find someone 60 miles or so away of who might take him in. So, against my better judgement, I threw a beach towel over him and wrangled him into the back of my SUV. I understand, obviously, that these little guys can carry rabies - it did not keep me from helping him and I would do it again. 🤷 I got there and it turned out she couldn’t take him in - she wasn’t authorized to treat “rabies vectored” species. She gave me the phone number of someone who would. 80 miles away. In Culpepper, VA. At this point it was 7PM & the storm had set in. Our friend was still calm, tho! It took a couple hours in some pretty terrible conditions but eventually, we arrived! At this point the raccoon had fallen asleep, lol. I woke him up, hopeful we’d reached his new home, a sprawling, beautiful farm. Karen Lamb (fantastic name given her job) was the real hero of the night. She runs Nirvana Ridge, a wildlife sanctuary. She managed to get our friend into a cage, and she promised to look after him and do the right thing if needed. I was so deeply relieved at Karen’s initial observation - the raccoon didn’t seem to be in much pain and was super alert and calm, all encouraging signs. By the next morning, our friend was feeling *a lot* better. Still hobbling around but eating and drinking normally, warm and comfortable. Over the next month or so, Karen kept our little guy in an enclosure in her barn, with several other raccoons. Miraculously, he made a near full recovery. I had assumed his back was broken - I was wrong. I returned a couple of times to see him. I am so grateful to Karen, truly. The happy end: Karen cut him loose recently. He has the run of her property in the woods now.
I only ever named him the day before he was released - a friend suggested “Clover,” because we were both so lucky to have found each other. ☘️ A few weeks later, I stuck him on my leg.
