Go gentle into that good night....

The majority of the orphan raccoons have been released from the Refuge, so it is really quiet around here. All raccoons here are vaccinated against rabies and then they go through what is called a "soft release."
Their pen is kept open so they can come and go as they please. Bottle feeding has been stopped and human contact is limited. Food is put out at night but that's it. They gradually disappear into the wild and become wild raccoons.
But, it's been a very hot summer here in Virginia, so we still get visits on occasion. Sometimes we find them napping on top of their pens. Sometimes they climb on Evelyn's deck and peek into her sunroom!
We miss these awesome little coonies, but we know they will love being wild and free! Go gentle into that good night........

Prelude to Release

This is a short video of a group of baby raccoons that came to EWR from the Virginia Beach SPCA. They were brought there by a wildlife exterminator who had trapped the mother raccoon who was nesting in someones attic and then "relocated." her. The babies were discovered several days later. They have received rabies vaccinations. The door to their pen is now open during the day. This video was filmed on the first day they were allowed to explore the great outdoors which will soon become their permanent home.

Orphaned Baby Raccoons

We have a group of orphaned baby raccoons keeping us busy here at the Refuge. Virginia Beach Animal Control had answered a call at a local residence. It seems there was a "nuisance" raccoon hanging around their property, that the folks trapped and probably destroyed. A few days later, they found the babies, and called Animal Control for a pickup.
It is not unusual for Mamma Raccoon to forage for food during the day. She is very, very hungry and will go to great lengths for her nursing babies. In this case, she looked for food on the property of some ignorant people and she paid with her life. But, these babies got lucky and ended up with a compassionate Animal Control Officer who delivered them to us. They now have a good chance of survival.

Hope

This is Hope, our little Christmas visitor. She arrived a bit before Christmas with a seriously injured back leg which prevented her from getting food. Her dining preferences here at the Refuge are Gerber's Chicken Dinner baby food and Trix yogurt. At first we had to force feed her but now, I am happy to report that she is eating on her own. She is on antibiotics and her leg is still sore, but improving. She just loves her warm, cozy denning box and doesn't want you to bother her, unless it's feeding time!
Hope will definitely let us know when it is time to be set free!

Raccoons out and about

The first batch of raccoons are now out and about. They have been immunized and are now free to go out during the day to explore and learn life skills for raccoons. They don't go too far yet as some remain focused on the bottle. But, they will wean themselves off soon and become wild things once again. It has been so hot here in Virginia, some of them don't stay out for long as they want to come back to EWR for a cool bath or a good hand wash session!

Welcome from Pink Floyd

Hello everyone!! I am Pink Floyd and I am a raccoon. I live full time with Evelyn and Jim here at the Refuge.
I have been here about a year now. I was dropped off by a caring person who found me all alone when I was only about 3 weeks old. I had been on my own for a while and had not developed the skills to survive on my own. I had been sucking on anything I could find to stay alive, like rocks and sticks, and my lips were pink and raw from the skin being worn off. So, Evelyn and Jim named me "Pink." Since I was a baby boy, they added Floyd to make it more masculine.
So, why am I still here? Well, I contracted the raccoon version of Parvo. Most baby raccoons who get Parvo die from it, but I was one of the lucky ones. It did leave me partially paralyzed, though, and limited my ability to function as a wild raccoon. I just don't have the skills I need to be released, like climbing, so I hang out here at the Refuge and keep the other animals company.
I am especially fond of being "Daddy" the the orphan raccoons that come through. These little babies are so distressed at losing their moms, they cry for at least 2 days. Evelyn, Jim, and I try our best to comfort them. They must learn to get nourishment from a baby bottle, and I must say they are quick learners!!
That's my story. I have a great life here and I am proud to be the mascot of Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge!