Borrowed a *Have A HEart Raccoon trap* Now what?

[chicamama]

The PLan, trap the sucker and move him/her a few miles up road into another section of state park. I *heard* it was illegal to let them go?

Any tips (besides the ones that involve blowing it's raccoon brains out) are welcome.

 

[saddina]

You're right in CA it's a hefty fine to "transport wildlife" complete with a criminal record and possiable seisure of your vehicle. Same laws that prevent poaching of wildlife also prevent rehoming (not to mention the damage you con do to the new location you move it to).

If you don't have it in you to shoot it (painless for him, safest for you) call animal control to come dispose of it. Whatever you do, don't get bit trying to release it, then it has to be killed anyway or you have to submit to long and painful rabies treatments.

 

[chicamama]

Quote:
Will Animal Control kill it? If I move it from my house, to another location, is that cruel or abuse?

and no, I do not have it in me to kill it.

 

[saddina]

Yes animal control will most likely kill it. If you move it you put the animals at the location you move it to in contact with any disease or pathgens they may not have been exposed to. And if there's a raccon or competeing predator already there, it will most likey be killed that way. I know it's a raw deal, but really it's let it eat your birds and put your pets or kids at risk, or have it disposed of. If it makes you feel at all better, there's a racoon surge going on because of the easy availability of food in neighborhoods that are moving further out, so you're not going to be causing them to go extinct.

If it helps at all I never thought I'd be able to do it either, but after seeing the ruins of a flock and details of rabies treatment for people who tried to catch and release.....

 

[chicamama]

Quote:
Oh, this is going to be tough. Maybe we just hang tough tll my little cattle dog is a few moths older? She's already trying to to track it at 9 weeks and parking like hell at the window at night trying to get to it (no, the Raccoon has no access to pup). Would just moving it just a few blocks away make a difference I wonder? No neighbors yard of course.

 

[saddina]

Honey, 20 mile range on some racoon species, and you'd most likely just move into another racoon's territory. Every day the racoon is there, he's going to be working on a way to get in and eat your flock. Sooner is better than later.

 

[saddina]

Didn't know if you saw this from last week, but I think it may help you decide.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=209766&p=1

 

[IN-farmgirl]

You said you feel you can't kill it. Understood. However, would you consider...perhaps getting a big bucket, filling it with water, and placing the trap in the water to drown the coon? Of course, then you would have to bury it. BUT, it might hold its breath long enough. Let's say if it can hold its breath for an hour, you will release it. Fair enough?

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I agree with everything Saddina said about raccoons.

Their populations are thriving due to development. And it's illegal to release them, puts the animal at a disadvantage, and puts other animals at risk. And it's very inconsiderate to bring another raccoon near anyone else's property. It can pose a risk to their poultry and other small animals, and can bring destruction to their other property such as garbage cans, fruit tree, veg gardens, etc. They can travel for miles so releasing them a few blocks away wastes everyone's time including the raccoon's.

Contact your local animal control to see what their policy is on trapped raccoons. They may euthanize it painlessly, which may be your best option, as opposed to shooting, drowning, killed by dogs, or being road kill. Or there may be a wildlife rescue facility that would like another raccoon.

To me, in terms of their numbers and the destruction they bring, urban & suburban raccoons are like masked rats with ringed tails. I don't hate raccoons, but also don't grieve the loss of a few troublesome individuals.

 

[archerobx]

Carefull with shooting it in the head. It will bleed alot and rabies are in brain matter.