When there's nothing you can do...

...there's something you can do. We returned from lunch today to find a raccoon on our neighbor's lawn in obvious distress.

Volunteering at Savannah Wildlife and Rescue Center this year I've learned that there seems to have been an outbreak of distemper among area raccoons. This animal in my neighborhood was obviously struggling. I felt so empowered because I knew what to do!

SWRC only rehabs orphaned/baby mammals, but I called them to get guidance on how exactly to proceed. I texted the video and photo below to the SWRC director.

The director talked me through how to properly pick up the raccoon and put it in the carrier (and what type of carrier would be best). 

It didn't fight at all and was very lethargic. I drove this angel to a local clinic that helps with some wildlife cases, and handed the raccoon over. They don't provide follow up information for cases like this, so while I won't know what exactly the outcome is, I can guess that s/he was probably humanely euthanized. Distemper is a horrible disease and not much can be done in a case like this. 

It's sad, but there is some solace in the fact that because I was able to get this raccoon to the clinic, its suffering was not prolonged. Rest easy little one. 🌈

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