Mother of the Year

[DizzyDigger]

Living as close to wilderness as I do, we get a few local critters that stop
by the front porch from time to time. Mostly it's 'coons, possum and the
odd Blue Jay that sneak in to see if they can find any goodies left over
from when my cats were fed.

99% of the time I just shoo them off, and tell 'em to go find their own
food, like all wild critters should do. Still, once in a while one gets my attention,
tugs at my heartstrings and is welcomed.

First saw this Raccoon out in the yard about 8 months back, and noticed right
off that she had a lame front paw. Never got closer than 20 yds. to her, and
she headed back into the woods. I didn't figure she'd survive long with that
foot.

Well, a couple months back I get a surprise, as she had found her way on
to the front porch...with two little ones in tow. She was thin, as were her
kits, and they were still very small.

Also noticed that along with the lame front paw, she was also missing her
left eye.

This gal needed help, and I saw no reason to let her and her kits suffer,
so I picked up a bag of dog food (makes a decent 'coon chow), and when
I saw her I'd set out some for her and the kits to fill up on.

The kits are now fat and healthy, and she's doing much better, as well. The
kits will take off on their own soon enough, so they won't be an issue in
the future. Mom, however, is welcome to hang around as long as she
wishes.

Named her "Lucky".

 

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[vpnavy]

You got some goooooood karma coming your way - very nice of you and super story.

 

[tamrock]

Some years I get coons around here more then others. The skunks have been coming around more lately this year it seems.

 

[Bullet:Mich.]

If any of them calmed down from you feeding them so you could touch and catch them you should give them a Distemper and Rabies shot.

 

[pen]

Our neighbor used to feed raccoons dog food at our last house. I dropped a gopro in the pile of food.

 

[digging440yrs]

Great job ! I had a pet one about 25 yrs ago , named him rocky. I have pics of him somewhere. My german shepherd and rocky were good buddies. Dog food, corn on the cob and clams [when on sale] were his fav's

 

[Bullet:Mich.]

I used to live trap wild raccoons for the Michigan DNR that were living in places that gave people problems such as in buildings, then we would put them in pens and take care of them for 30 days to make sure they didn't show any sickness. Most of them became tame enough to handle them in 30 days. Then we would give them shots to keep them from catching Rabies and Distemper. They were sure happy when we turned them loose in a spot where they were being relocated.

 

[DizzyDigger]

Bullet: Spent many years as a nuisance beaver trapper, and in
my state there is a "no relocate" order for 'coons. There's
just too many of them, and survival rate for relocated 'coons
is quite low.

These are 100% wild critters, and in general it is not a good
practice to feed any wildlife. I would never have a situation like
the one in Pen's video simply because that is not healthy for
the population. Cute to have them all around, but bad idea
for the critters.

With our house located on the high river bank, we get raccoon
visiting all the time, and they get run off to go find their own
food. She is a specific case, in that she's been able to birth and
raise at least 2 kits, found enough food to survive and produce
milk for the babies, and all this while having only one eye and one
front foot.

I figure she's earned a good meal...

 

[creekhunter]

Enjoyed the pics and stories, thanks!

 

[Bullet:Mich.]

Dizz- I am with you on what you did for the mother coon and her young ones. Its called DNR Licensed Nuisance Animal Control Agent in Michigan.