Rosie the raccoon

Friday night my neighbor called and said we have a rabid raccoon in the front yard. I went to see and I don't think she's rabid. (ok, I don't know if its a she, 50/50 chance, right?).

Someone had tossed a flip-flop to her and she was chewing on it and she seems kind of friendly, but not agressive. I think she was chewing on it because she's treating it like a dog toy, but I don't really know anything about raccoons. I gave her some catfood, and got about 8 feet from her. She looked a little frightened, but didn't try to get away. She ate it all.

After that she washed up in the little waterfall. She hung around for hours.

She returned Saturday night and walked a few steps toward me. I'm the walking food bowl, right?

She seems to be an adolescent and kind of thin. I fed her again. I know a lot of people will say thats a mistake. I mean, I don't really want her getting too close, but how can I NOT feed her?

Does anyone think her behavior seems rabid? I've convinced my neighbor that shes probably not, but what do you think?

Hi, I think an animal welfare organization in your city could/should know about rabid in your area. Good luck.

Please call animal control to see if there are any reported cases of rabies in your area. I don't know if this behavior is consistent with rabies, but I know you shouldn't feed racoons or any kind of wild animal. Better safe than sorry. Even if the raccoon isn't rabid you definitely don't want it hanging around your house.

If you see her during the daylight hours, that is one way to know that there is something wrong with her- she could be sick or she could be rabid. But if she was chewing on a rubber sandal then the rubber could have created a drool and someone could have misunderstood what that drool was. If there is a wildlife rehabber in the area call them- stop feeding her- they are aggressive, and they will kill cats-

There used to be raccoons out here when Mouser was alive. They would come to steal her food. They would stay close to the woods unless no one was outside. I don't really mind Rosie being around. Should I? I just wonder if its wierd that she isn't afraid to be in the front of the building where it is well lit and that she doesn't run away from us. One theory is that her mom got run over and she's displaced. Theres a 4 lane road in front of us and woods in the back. Maybe she's a little friendlier than the others because she's young. I would hate to make it worse for her. If I call animal control, what will they do? I believe the last reported case of rabies around here was a few months ago.

Originally Posted by hissy

If you see her during the daylight hours, that is one way to know that there is something wrong with her- she could be sick or she could be rabid. But if she was chewing on a rubber sandal then the rubber could have created a drool and someone could have misunderstood what that drool was. If there is a wildlife rehabber in the area call them- stop feeding her- they are aggressive, and they will kill cats-

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It just got dark both nights. She wasn't drooling, just chewing on the sandal. My cats are indoor only, but I imagine if she got agressive, she could try to come in. Would she?

So, you think I shouldn't feed her anymore, no matter what? Animal rehab is a great idea. Thanks!

Maybe, she is a "former pet" and people found and, an animal makes work and throw her out. Could be?!

After having a very large raccoon sow maul two pets, I wouldn't want them anywhere near my house.
They can get nasty and rather viscious with little to no provocation.

Thanks, everyone. I guess I have to quit feeding little Rosie.

Aw we don't have rabies or raccoons here. Rosie sounds cute!

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

Aw we don't have rabies or raccoons here. Rosie sounds cute!

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Yeah, she is.

Poor wild animals have such a hard time of it with us humans spreading out and taking up all the land and driving fast cars everywhere running them over etc. We kill them just because they inconvenience us by trying to survive in what is, after all, their natural habitat.
Animal control here in Canada will kill the racoon. The assumption is that they'll be rabid. From the behaviour you've described, I don't think this is the case. Obviously though, you'll have a problem on your hands if you encourage her to come to your house. Is there a humane animal control organization in your area? Like the rehab idea?

Originally Posted by Rockcat

Thanks, everyone. I guess I have to quit feeding little Rosie.

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Unfortunately, I have to agree. For starters, raccoons not only can carry rabies, they can spread cat fever, too, and if a lost cat eats from the same food dish, the cat can get sick. Also, Hissy is right - they WILL kill cats. and yes, they do come inside - be careful if that happens as they turn vicious in a flash. Twice now, a coon has come into my house - the first time, the coon just bushed up & chattered & snarled at me, till I swung a lunge-whip(horsewhip) at him - then he ran out the open door.
Bit of advice - if for some reason you have to drive off the racoon outside, you can use a garden-hose with a nozzle. Even skunks hate getting squirted and it's a way to get them driven off without having to get near them. If, God forbid, someone gets bitten, the coon (or skunk) will be need to get caught & the head tested for rabies, or the person has to undergo the painful rabies shots.
Bless you for caring about Rosie! They sure are cute with the masked face! And I do feel badly about maybe she's hungry, although coons are great scavengers & are quick to find an easy meal - it's alot easier to eat what people leave out rather than scrounge up a meal from Mother Nature (heck, I'm that way - I'd much rather shop at Vons than round up a meal like my ancestors did). You could contact the biologist at your local Dept. of Fish & Game or the Forest Service for advice; they are the one responsible for the protection of wild animals (the ones not legally hunted, anyway)

I haven't been able to find a rehab place yet, but I am still looking. If I call animal control, I won't give my address until I find out what they will do. If they plan to relocate her, fine. If they plan to kill her, I can't let that happen.

Usually, if the animal has not bit anyone, most AC places will quarantine for rabies, and later relocate.

I don't think I could have resisted feeding the little creature myself, but I guess that's not a good idea as the animal would become dependant on me for food and it needs to fend for itself. Good luck with your little Rosie. I wish her well.

Hach, I don´t understand all this questions. Where is the problem with all these "could be". Try, and you will know. You could have an accident tomorrow, you could be sick tomorrow, you could be ... what ever could happen. And? Rockcat wants to help this little Rosie and it could be a good idea or not. Hey, Americans, is your pioneer work lost?

I do not like raccoons at all right now. I have raccoons living in my barn, and they fight with the cats, and eat their food. I believe that one cat was killed by a raccoon, the last time I saw Peaches she had blood running down her face. (Although I saw a peachy looking cat in the garage last night-mega prayers it is my feral Peaches!)

On the other hand, last week I met a lady who calls herself the raccoon lady. She has at least two cats outside, and feeds the raccoons. She said the cats have a high place to get away from the raccoons.

Personally, I would not feed a raccoon. If it sees you, and tries to approach you for food, it could try to approach a kid and bite it. Or try to approach a person with a gun, who could shoot it. Or be closer to the humans, and get hit by a car.

She never came into the yard last night - at least by midnight, but there was evidence that she was there in the daytime. The paper food bowl was torn up. I saw her cross the street, and almost get run over. A friend saw her on a street a mile away. Also, both in the daytime. As Hissy pointed out, this is not a good sign.

By the time I got home from work, my neighbor had already called animal control. They gave him an after hour number and told him to call if she came back. They said that they would observe her and then decide what to do.

I feel sorry for Rosie, but there is apparently something wrong.

Well despite the obvious issues and concerns, you have shown a poor lost wild animal love and care in an otherwise unfriendly and frightening world. Good for you - I hope everything turns out for the best.