Raccoons

From YouTube

Ok. I must be out of my mind. I've been approached about becoming a raccoon rehabber. What? Rehabilitate coons? Does that mean teaching these masked bandits not to steal pet food, not to dig in garbage cans and to stay away from humans? No, not that kind of rehabilitation.

Living in an urban environment, there are still plenty of raccoons around. Sometimes the raccoons come too much in contact with people. They get into fights with dogs, people don't properly critter proof their houses, and momma coons get separated from their babies.

So.....I'd be working with baby coons that can't be with their mommas because momma disappeared or died. The ones I'd be working with are ones still needing to nurse - bottle feeding them. The little buggers have to be fed every few hours. When they are really little, they can't 'self-potty'. The caregiver has to do it for them. Instead of licking them like momma, a little piece of tissue will do. You simply tickle them where the pee and poo come out and voila - they can relieve themselves.

So why did I post this little video? Yes, it's cute and funny. But it also shows so many ways people shouldn't treat these wild animals. They are not pets. They are wild animals. It is usually illegal to keep a raccoon as a pet. Only someone with the proper permits/licensing is allowed to have them (ie like a rehabber). These are folks who are specially trained for working with this animals.

Here's a link to some good coon info:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/raccoons.html

After moving back to the States from Dubai, I had to ask myself 'What's next'? Well, I thought, I have not used my marine biology degree for a while so maybe something working with wildlife? Well.....it looks like the 'what's next' may have found me.

So.......we'll see what the future hold for me!

Peace.