HELP!! Sick raccoon on our porch!

jil05 · Mar 23, 2010

Well....Here's the latest. I got through to the Health Department and had a discussion with them. I told them that an ill raccoon was in my yard in one of the winter houses I had created for my feral cats. Yes, I stupdily admitted that I feed cats. I figured when they come they will see them anyway.

The guy from the rabies line told me that I should stop feeding the cats and the raccoon will go away. That he is sleeping in there because he is a nocturnal animal and eats in my yard. As predicted....It's my fault I have a raccoon.

So, no one is coming. I just have to stop feeding the cats and he will go away.

Lovely...I am crying as I write this. I give up. I give up. I give up!

I guess I have to start seeing what I can sell or something to get $450.00 to try to get rid of this raccoon. Hope he doesn't suffer to long or hurt the cats in the meantime.

So, please keep praying that he passes soon and without too much pain. I think it's the only thing that will end this horror story.

Sometimes I wonder about this world...

strange_wings · Mar 23, 2010

Of course they don't want to help. If they take care of it they have to foot the bill.

Easier to blame you, ignore the fact that the raccoon is sick/dying - could be rabid, and do nothing.

I'm sorry no one is helping.

Try one more time? and do not mention cats - maybe fib a little and say you've seen it in the neighborhood trash if they press for an answer as to why it's even around?

otto · Mar 23, 2010

this is nuts. Is rabies not a serious issue where you live? Around here one call to the police, regardless of feral cats, that raccoon would be gone and euthanized and tested. Potential rabies cases are not messed around with, in my area.

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. I know you are not only concerned for your feral cats, but for the suffering of the raccoon.

Try to remember that wild animals don't suffer the kind of emotional anguish humans do from pain and sickness. I think their systems have ways of shutting down and protecting them from too much pain and suffering.

jil05 · Mar 23, 2010

Yes, Rabies is a serious issue where I live. They even instituted a program to use helicopters to drop down bait with rabies vaccine for the raccoons.
I pray that this raccoon ate one!

I was thinking that he could have been hit by a car too, maybe have internal injuries.
If only I could find a rehabilitation place...maybe they would help.

I am just beside myself with all sorts of emotions at this point.

Seriously, Thank you all. I could not go through this without this site and all of you.

ruthyb · Mar 23, 2010

Oh hun, huge hugs, that is just awful when you are trying to help and no one wants to know. I would ring again and be very firm, is there no raccoon rehab centres near you? try googling for one. Sorry again that you are having to go through this. xx

killerapple · Mar 23, 2010

How many ferals are you feeding/caring for? How behind are they on their rabies vaccines according to city/county laws?

This is just me thinking aloud - but if you could get your cats up to date on their rabies vaccines pronto (with photo for each cat and its associated rabies tag so you have proof) you could call again and say that you saw a sickly looking raccoon in your neighborhood and you're concerned about children trying to touch it, if it has rabies. Don't mention the cats but if they SEE your outside cats, they could then ask for rabies proof and you could show your photos of each cat and their rabies info. I think if you would mention the risk of having a child touch it and get rabies, they may do something?

Good luck I hope the poor raccoon has a peaceful death and that your kitties are ok.

Edit: Could you try trapping the raccoon with a Havahart and bringing directly to animal control...?

I don't know how I feel about that, but just again thinking out loud. If animal control will put down aggressive cats at no cost to people reporting them, I don't see why on earth they would charge you.

otto · Mar 23, 2010

Originally Posted by JIL05

Yes, Rabies is a serious issue where I live. They even instituted a program to use helicopters to drop down bait with rabies vaccine for the raccoons.
I pray that this raccoon ate one!

I was thinking that he could have been hit by a car too, maybe have internal injuries.
If only I could find a rehabilitation place...maybe they would help.

I am just beside myself with all sorts of emotions at this point.

Seriously, Thank you all. I could not go through this without this site and all of you.

Of course! Why didn't we think of that before?

Call the vet! they will have the numbers of the wildlife rehabilitation places! At least....my vet does.

jil05 · Mar 23, 2010

I agree with you Otto so off I ran to the phone with some renewed hope. I called two vets and got two numbers and both said the same thing:

(Here it is off the web site of one of them)

Help! Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve Found an Injured Animal!
Raccoon
Please note: At this time, no one, citizen or licensed rehabilitator, is allowed to work with raccoons due to the recent occurrence of rabies in Nassau and Suffolk counties. If you have a concern regarding a raccoon, the Department of Health must be contacted. Please be advised that you will be directed to hire a licensed trapper to trap the animal at your expense, and it must be euthanized on your property.

See what I am up against? This whole thing is absolutely unbelievable!

ms cat love · Mar 23, 2010

If the coon is out in the day time hour.. something is wrong with it because coons are nocturnal and only come out at night.. If you want it out of its misery and out of your cat house.. A bowl of crystal fly bait with some added soda pop will be a quick kill.. the cats wont go near it.. other than that call the police and have them come and shoot it..

addiebee · Mar 23, 2010

I know you live in suburban NY where everything is pricey, but that price quoted to trap and remove the animal sounds steep to me. Call around and see if you can get a better price.

jil05 · Mar 23, 2010

Originally Posted by killerapple

How many ferals are you feeding/caring for? How behind are they on their rabies vaccines according to city/county laws?

I care for five ferals right now. One semi-feral. All spayed and neutered and about a year behind. One or two a little bit more. I was going to try to catch them again starting this Spring when it gets a bit warmer. It's always slow going because even with the breaks you get it with vaccination clinics etc. it's still comes to alot of money right now.

Could you try trapping the raccoon with a Havahart and bringing directly to animal control...?

I don't know how I feel about that, but just again thinking out loud. If animal control will put down aggressive cats at no cost to people reporting them, I don't see why on earth they would charge you.

I am terrified to try to trap this raccoon. I just don't think I can handle it and then to have it in the car? Yikes!

I will definitely try for a better price. Thank you for the suggestion. I probably should have done that already, but this is a bit overwhelming for me.

otto · Mar 23, 2010

Originally Posted by JIL05

I agree with you Otto so off I ran to the phone with some renewed hope. I called two vets and got two numbers and both said the same thing:

(Here it is off the web site of one of them)

Help! Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve Found an Injured Animal!
Raccoon
Please note: At this time, no one, citizen or licensed rehabilitator, is allowed to work with raccoons due to the recent occurrence of rabies in Nassau and Suffolk counties. If you have a concern regarding a raccoon, the Department of Health must be contacted. Please be advised that you will be directed to hire a licensed trapper to trap the animal at your expense, and it must be euthanized on your property.

See what I am up against? This whole thing is absolutely unbelievable!

Well, for heaven's sake! They spout the danger of rabies, but won't help? That's the craziest thing I've ever heard!

I feel just terrible for you having to cope with this, and want to say you are handling it admirably. I understand how much stress, and distress, this is causing you, and yet you have not stopped trying to find a solution.

Whatever ultimately happens, you can know you have done all you can.

orpheygene · Mar 23, 2010

I've been following this thread. Just a horrific situation. I feel for you.

ldg · Mar 23, 2010

What a nightmare, I'm really so sorry! Sounds like they would have told you to hire someone to deal with it even if you hadn't mentioned the cats! They'd have asked about garbarge next.... you see where this is going. How awful - really - what's the point?!

katkisses · Mar 23, 2010

Originally Posted by JIL05

Please be advised that you will be directed to hire a licensed trapper to trap the animal at your expense, and it must be euthanized on your property.

You could trap it, and leave the trap alone. Just call animal control or the Health Dept. Tell them that you were trying to trap your cat that 'went missing.'

Ok, it's a little white lie.... lol.

Or you could call the Health Dept again, hoping that a different person anwers and helps. I would not mention the cats at all. Before they come out take up all food/water bowls, and just tell them that you think the raccon was messing with the garbage cans. I doubt that the Health Dept likes feral cats... and some states have 'leash laws' and things like that, so I would avoid it.

I hope you come back with good news.

lyrajean · Mar 24, 2010

I dislike guns and hate to suggest this, but when we had a rabies epidemic a few years back I was about to go to work when I spotted a sick coon hanging around our neighbor's car. I called him up and he came out with his shotgun and put the thing out of its misery.

killerapple · Mar 24, 2010

Originally Posted by JIL05

Thank you for the suggestion. I probably should have done that already, but this is a bit overwhelming for me.

This is a super overwhelming situation. You are handling it as best as you can!

3catsn1dog · Mar 24, 2010

Honestly this is going to sound horrible but is there anyone you know with a gun that will come out and shoot it for you? I know if I was in this situation Bf has about 3-4 ppl he could call to come out and shoot something for us seeing as we cant have BFs guns in the house till June due to probation. I dont know how close to a town you live or if your in town because that could cause an issue but if its in the cats house maybe a cop or a friend can come over and just put it out of its misery.........

I hope everything works out for you!!

ruthyb · Mar 24, 2010

Originally Posted by 3CatsN1Dog

Honestly this is going to sound horrible but is there anyone you know with a gun that will come out and shoot it for you? I know if I was in this situation Bf has about 3-4 ppl he could call to come out and shoot something for us seeing as we cant have BFs guns in the house till June due to probation. I dont know how close to a town you live or if your in town because that could cause an issue but if its in the cats house maybe a cop or a friend can come over and just put it out of its misery.........

I hope everything works out for you!!

I agree with this if the poor thing is suffering and no one is willing to help, sad as it is and disgusting that it should come to that atleast he/she will be at peace. x

jil05 · Mar 24, 2010

Yes, of course this is all on me. Why should my gov't which created these agencies to help us actually do their job?
Gee, If someone calls an agency with a problem like this, come out and check it out! If you can save the raccoon, save it! If not, put it to sleep! Seems simple enough to me. It's their job!!!!!

I'm angry today...as I repeat the call I made yesterday in my head it sounds like I was a bother. I mean I probably interrupted a break or something.

Yes, It's all on me. I should shoot the raccoon. I live in the suburbs, and let me see how that will turn out... I'll be in prison before you know it. But actually it probably is the right thing to do at this point.

Don't mind me... It's just that as I type this the raccoon is laying next to the water bowl again. It's turned upside down and empty as I don't use it anymore, due to germs. He/She doesn't seem to get that there is a smaller water bowl a short distance from him. The water bowl is next to the back door and even when I swing the door open he will not move, or cannot move that fast. He just sits/lays there.

I have seen this raccoon walk. He is eating and drinking. (Yes, I did put a small bit of cat food in a bowl and water next to it, so he/she would come out so I could see it). While he is in the house, I don't know what is going on...
The problem is in his back leg area. He definitely is not walking right, but he is getting around in small areas. Which just happens to be my yard. Yay for me! I am spitting mad right now. Not at any of you, please know that! Just the situation. For all I know he fell out of a tree when our strong storm knocked it down. We lost alot of trees near where I live that day.
Or was knicked by a car. Or of course rabies. Whatever. Point is, regardless of whether I feed cats, someone should come out and take care of this!

To get a better idea of where he is living right now- I had an old wooden picnic table and I haven't thrown it out yet. I stuck two rubbermaid houses underneath it and then put a tarp over it to keep out rain, snow and wind. Apparently I made the cat's shelter too well!

Anyway, that's my update. Thank you so much for all of your support.

Hopefully I can think of something before my nieces and nephews want to play in my yard. Or I want to garden.

Sorry this is so long and quite the vent. It's really me finally breaking under all this stress.

HELP!! Sick raccoon on our porch!

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