The Baby Raccoon

As I was walking along a trail at Horseshoe Park, I saw something that should not have been in the middle of the woods. A large plastic dog crate.

Bernie, my dog, seemed unbothered by it, so I approached. The door was wide open, and I could see dishes with leftover cat or dog food, and a bunch of blankets inside.

My thought at first was that someone was trying to lure in a stray dog or cat. Rescues set up these kind of crates sometimes if a stray was spotted. As I peered in, though, I saw two grey fuzzy ears way in the back. I thought a kitten was in there, the head was small. Then the face turned towards me, and it was unmistakably a baby raccoon.

I immediately backed away, taking Bernie with me. I did not want the baby to be sniffed out by my super-nosed dog who has a high prey drive.

There is a particular ache in witnessing a wild baby animal that should have been with its own kind, not alone in a plastic crate.

I called the Shaker Lakes Nature Center for advice. They were so kind and sympathetic, and of course they don’t take in wild animals. They did give me a few numbers to call. The first one, Heights Wildlife Animal Rescue, called me back right away. They don’t take in raccoons either, but knew who to reach out to, The County Wildlife Office.

With my directions, they found the baby raccoon easily, and the county wildlife officer took the little guy, so he is no longer stranded in the park, alone without food or water.

Though I did consider it, bringing a baby raccoon home is usually not the right path. Beyond the risk of a bite from a frightened animal, raccoons are considered a rabies-vector species in Ohio, which means they are handled much more cautiously than other wildlife.

An animal can appear mostly normal and still be dangerous, especially early in the disease process. That is why raccoons are treated differently, and why wildlife officers, not well-meaning animal lovers, are often the safest path.

However the baby raccoon’s story ends, I will remember and hold him in my heart.

And you will soon find him on a cup, tumbler, or plate.