Raccoon problems

Ughhh.  I have always had a few raccoons that come up onto the deck from time to time.  They can smell the remains of food in the feeding stations.  They sniff around, drink water, wash their paws and leave.  On occasion the cats hiss at them to make them leave.  This winter there has been 2 raccoons that come out each time the temperature is above 20.  They have even been around at 6:30am when I am feeding the cats.  Yet they have only been a nuisance. 

Last night one arrived around 10pm.  I have a feral villa shelter up on a table near the house.  The raccoon went inside and stayed there for hours.  I can see the happenings on my deck the next morning from the surveillance cameras I have.  The raccoons have never done this before.  Then he went into the heated shelters where Shadow and Stellar sleep.  This bold raccoon was in a rubbermaid box as well as a tent shaped shelter all night.  He even slept on a chair cushion for awhile.  When I went to set out food this morning, the cats were not there.  This is odd.  I found Shadow under the deck and Stellar came from next door.  I figured something had frightened them, but thought it might have been the wind and sleet.  When I checked the cameras more closely, the raccoon was still in their shelter.  It took my DH over 20 minutes to get the raccoon to leave.  I wondered if something was wrong with it.  I found it an hour later under my deck.  Then next it was back on the deck and climbing into the feral villa.  It curled up and would not leave.  I decided to call Critter Control.  The cats refused to come onto the deck.  They would come to the edge smell it and then run away. 

Dh and I went out and blocked the raccoon inside the shelter.  It was not air tight so it could still breathe.  Critter Control arrived and it should have been fairly easy to snare it and drop into the trap.  The trapper was not good.  After 10 minutes of not getting the snare around its neck, the raccoon just jumped out.  Off he ran.  I was so mad.  Fortunately I wasn't charged.  He wanted to set traps, but with the cats that is not an option. 

Shadow finally came back, but Stellar is still gone.  I so worry about the raccoon coming back tonight.  He didn't seem threatening, but it could become a huge problem.  I may have to trap him myself. 

Another one of the worries of caring for ferals.  It's always a constant worry. 

Wow, Shadow. You should just name that raccoon "Rocky" and adopt him since he's made himself so at home (sorry, I couldn't resist). I can't believe the animal control guy was so incompetent! Can they send a different worker back to your place?  The one good thing about the situation is that now that the raccoon was trapped inside the shelter, maybe he'll be too scared to enter it again.  I've never heard of a raccoon taking over a cat shelter--don't they usually hibernate in dens in the winter? There can't have been a worse time for this to have happened to you with the bitter cold settling in tonight. I know how worried you must be. I hope Stellar comes home soon. I am moving the second part of my post that I had here to a different thread so as not to distract from your situation. I hope you will respond to it, I could use your input!

Ugh, raccoons!  They're just too clever and resourceful (and, unfortunately, cute.  Why can't they look like giant lizards?!)  I always feel sorry for them, but they wreak havoc with the ferals, frightening them off and making a huge mess.  We haven't had too much trouble with them- knock on wood- but I always worry about them coming back around again.  I don't know what you can do aside from picking up food bowls at night.  I've never been able to find a solution that doesn't call for special elevated houses and feeders.  It seems like everything that would scare away raccoons isn't feral friendly.  

The last time one moved in beneath the porch I was tempted to trap it and release it out in the boonies, on my parents' property.  That's probably not the kindest thing for the raccoon, but it's the only permanent solution I can think of.  I've occasionally wondered if hanging worn clothing around the perimeter of the property would discourage critters from entering the yard.  If they scent humans, would they leave and not return, or would the pull of food and warm shelter overpower their better judgment?  It's not an experiment I've had the opportunity to perform.  But maybe if you're desperate...?

I hope he's well and scared now and doesn't return.  I'm sure your kitty is just waiting to make sure the coast is clear before returning.

The raccoons on my block became very comfortable around humans and used to our scent a few summers ago because they associated us with food (my neighbors and I were caring for feral kittens at the time, so food was frequently put out for them). One raccoon actually would come up near my porch if he heard my voice. Then I started chasing them away from my porch with a broom and by clapping my hands. I know that's kind of dangerous, but after several months of chasing them away and making sure food wasn't left out in the dark, they went away. I've never had a raccoon try to take over my feral's shelter, though, that's really scary.

i have used airsoft guns and/or slingshots to drive the raccoon away. i only use small plastic pellets, so it doesn't hurt them, just stings. 

Both cats returned by 7pm last night and I was able to get them into their shelters.  I went out and sprayed Feliway everywhere to help desensitize the smell.  Then around 7:45, I saw the raccoon under the deck moving around.  He then came up onto the deck, but DH went out and chased it away.  Hopefully he went back to his den.  He did not come back all night. 

Tonight it will only be in the 20's for a low.  Most likely he will return tonight.  Then it gets very cold for the next 10 days so I think he will stay away.  I have some marshmallows on hand and 2 traps in case I need to try and trap him. 

This will be a worry until spring.

Thanks everyone!

I'm so glad the cats all returned! I know you're relieved.

We're supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow tomorrow in Western PA, maybe Ohio will get some.  I don't believe Raccoons come out in the snow (I've never seen them in the snow) so maybe you'll have a little reprieve. I don't envy you the task of trapping a raccoon. Rocky is supposed to be in his den with his mates, hibernating. I wonder if his mates all left or died, or his den got destroyed somehow?  

detmut, I may look into the airsoft guns with plastic pellets. I don't want to hurt any animal, just sting it a bit to drive it away if it tries to hurt my feral. I've thought about what to do if my neighbor's two mean dogs get loose again and end up going after Muffin. The one is big and mean and my neighbor even told me the dog would likely hurt Muffin. Last week the small, yappy dog got loose and was running around in my back yard. Would an airsoft gun be too cruel to use if ever see one of the dogs going after Muffin? It's bad enough worrying about wildlife hurting my cat, now I have to worry about the neighbor's obnoxious dogs.

MsAimee said:

 
I'm so glad the cats all returned! I know you're relieved.

We're supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow tomorrow in Western PA, maybe Ohio will get some.  I don't believe Raccoons come out in the snow (I've never seen them in the snow) so maybe you'll have a little reprieve. I don't envy you the task of trapping a raccoon. Rocky is supposed to be in his den with his mates, hibernating. I wonder if his mates all left or died, or his den got destroyed somehow?  

detmut, I may look into the airsoft guns with plastic pellets. I don't want to hurt any animal, just sting it a bit to drive it away if it tries to hurt my feral. I've thought about what to do if my neighbor's two mean dogs get loose again and end up going after Muffin. The one is big and mean and my neighbor even told me the dog would likely hurt Muffin. Last week the small, yappy dog got loose and was running around in my back yard. Would an airsoft gun be too cruel to use if ever see one of the dogs going after Muffin? It's bad enough worrying about wildlife hurting my cat, now I have to worry about the neighbor's obnoxious dogs.

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no. the plastic pellets don't penetrate. i used a pump-action shotgun-type that shot 3 pellets at a time. 

http://www.crosman.com/stinger-s34p-clear-black

but you may want a battery-operated airsoft automatic rifle if you ever had to shot at that dog. 

i don't hunt and i don't own any firearms. just air guns and high-powered water guns so no one gets hurt. 

Oh my.  Sorry to hear you are having a raccoon problem.  They are dangerous.  Be careful.  I wonder if I should leave the food out for Blacky now all night.  I have possums come around a lot and have seem a raccoon once too.  I fear that she only has one opening from her house and if anything goes in there she can't escape.  Should I take the food in when it gets dark?

yes non-rabid raccoons are nocturnal. so, i would only feed the cat during the daylight if there are raccoons around. an elevated feeder would probably solve the possum problem. 

Raccoons generally don't venture out if their dens in temperatures below 25-20, or when there is snow on the ground. If you're getting 12 inches of snow they won't venture out. If you do leave some dry food out the next several nights due to her not eating much, just keep it as far from her pet house on your breezeway as you can.

I have left dry food out on bitter cold nights when I am certain the raccoons won't be around.  As Ms Aimee stated they generally don't come out when it's below 20 or so.  I would keep the food away from her shelter though.

The raccoon came back last night as suspected as the temps were just below 30 all night.  I had a talk with my two ferals and told them it was necessary to hiss at the raccoon and tell him this shelter is occupied.  They did just that.  The raccoon entered their shelter once and he left when Shadow hissed.  He came back again and attempted to get into the shelter that is now blocked off.  When frustrated he left. 

It will be quite cold here at night for the next week or so.  I doubt the raccoon will be around.

I have 2 opossums that also come around.  They just drink some water and move along.  I have seen one of them go into a shelter I have under the deck.  It's funny because I have a towel covering the heat pad so I can easily clean it.  The towel keeps disappearing.  I thought the wind might be blowing it away.  One night I caught the opossum dragging the towel away.  It must have a den with at least 4 of my small towels!! 

Last early summer, I had a small baby opossum that would come with it's Mom for awhile.  It was so ugly it was cute!!  I had a thermal cat mat under the deck that one of my ferals used.  The opossum would sleep on it most nights!! 

I just hope the raccoon stays away.

Shadow, LOL. The thought of the opossum snuggling up in your towels in the woods is funny. I know what you mean about the ugly cuteness of opossums. One night I found a large opossum eating out of Muffin's food bowl with Muffin sitting beside him, not caring. I chased the opossum away with a brown, he got stuck in the railing in my porch for a few moments, and we both freaked out. Muffin looked at me like I was nuts the entire time. He was a regular visitor and Muffin didn't seem to mind. Muffin has always co-existed with raccoons and opossum--I think animals have a way of communicating a truce.  

I hope Rocky stays away now. I was surprised he would hang around the cats. He doesn't appear to be dangerous, just an intrusive nuisance. Maybe he should just take a few of your towels to his den and re-decorate.   

I'm hoping for some advice on a raccoon issue too..  We have 5 rescue cats, inside-outside but pretty much inside during this bad weather.  They have an "emergency shelter' (also available to any strays or ferals who happen by) in the back yard, a large straw filled and partially insulated box inside a 3-part composting system.  Ours use it occasionally but not really much as they stay in when the weather is bad, and they also have a really nice fully insulated box on the front porch should they get stuck outside for a while. The past few days we have seen a racoon emerging from the back shelter.  I'm fine with he/she using it to survive this freezing weather, especially as it is not a primary shelter for our guys, but  I worry if a large racoon is any danger to adult cats?  There is no sign of a nest in there, I'm thinking it's just a passing racoon looking to find shelter and good luck if that's the case.  I'm thinking co-existance here but don't want to endanger our cats - any thoughts welcome.

Well I'm thinking my best solution is to try to keep my guys inside while the racoon is around.  I don't really want to have it trapped if it's not hurting anyone. 

Lrosewiles said:

 
Well I'm thinking my best solution is to try to keep my guys inside while the racoon is around.  I don't really want to have it trapped if it's not hurting anyone. 

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That sounds like a good option..

Mind you, I'm not much help as I'm in Australia and we don't even have racoons..    

Being in CA and having an entire route in town of cats I have TNR'd and continue to care for, I deal with racoons  ALOT.

Possum and skunks as well.

The worst and most dangerous are def. skunks. A momma racoon is next, and are much more forward and aggressive then your average racoon.

The safest racoons are the solo ones. When there is an entire family and food is nearby, they will run the cats off to get to it. Eat, wash up in their water dish and leave.

Possum are wonderfully harmless, they are gentle and non aggressive, they coexist very well in my colonies.

I actually feel so sorry for them, these easy going critters have a bad rap, that they carry rabies and are so ugly.

Possum do NOT carry rabies btw, they are too cold blooded for the virus to live.

The racoon you are dealing with seems to remain solo right?

I wonder if you gave him his own shelter and a bit of food if your cats would get comfortable around him.............just thinking what your answer could be here.

The last thing you want is to draw any others! But this poor guy must be having a rough time for some reason. 

catwoman707 said:

 
Being in CA and having an entire route in town of cats I have TNR'd and continue to care for, I deal with racoons  ALOT.

Possum and skunks as well.

The worst and most dangerous are def. skunks. A momma racoon is next, and are much more forward and aggressive then your average racoon.

The safest racoons are the solo ones. When there is an entire family and food is nearby, they will run the cats off to get to it. Eat, wash up in their water dish and leave.

Possum are wonderfully harmless, they are gentle and non aggressive, they coexist very well in my colonies.

I actually feel so sorry for them, these easy going critters have a bad rap, that they carry rabies and are so ugly.

Possum do NOT carry rabies btw, they are too cold blooded for the virus to live.

The racoon you are dealing with seems to remain solo right?

I wonder if you gave him his own shelter and a bit of food if your cats would get comfortable around him.............just thinking what your answer could be here.

The last thing you want is to draw any others! But this poor guy must be having a rough time for some reason. 

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I have a few other shelters scattered around.  I am fine with him using one of those.  I really just do not want him in with my ferals.  Both of my ferals are so skittish.  The raccoon did not seem harmful in anyway, but he still scared my cats. 

I will have to wait and see what happens.  It is so cold here that the raccoons may not be out for a week or more. 

Last summer there was a baby opossum that would come around.  He was so ugly that he was cute.  I watched him grow into an adult all summer.  I believe he still comes around.  I used to have a thermal cat mat down for one of my other ferals.  The opossum ended up sleeping there most nights!  Then this winter, the opossum has been snatching the thin dish towels I have been putting on top of a heat pad in a shelter under the deck.  I have seen him on the cameras dragging it away.  There must be a nest somewhere with a collection of my dish towels!

The skunks around here seem very harmless.  I see them under the deck, but they do not come up onto the deck.  Their main problem is their stink!  My fluffy long haired samoyed, got sprayed a few years ago.  It took months to get the sink out! 

Thanks for all the helpful tips!

Yes he (?) seems to be solo.  I saw him again emerging from the shelter yesterday, he wandered around a bit and went back in.  It is so dreadfully cold here and supposed to be arctic all week and none of the cats are going out, so I will just let him be.  Later I will need to go out to refill the bird feeder so I will put some food in the shelter for him. I have some bananas and grapes past their best.  I'm remembering last year we had a racoon hanging around for a while, mostly up in a big oak tree out back, and I am wondering if it's the same one making a regular round to some place. 

It is probably an offspring of the one in the tree.