Devastated and need advice

[centrarchid]

Come on. It is likely coming through almost every night as part of its foraging route. Take advantage of that to work out kinks in defending against them before putting birds at risk. Following that advise means bait (feed and birds) will not be out to test until you have birds to loose. Clean up the crap and do not pick fights with critter and make certain your pets are up on shots as in most places you should by law.

People are too darn scared of everything to do right.

 

[birdwrangler057]

I wouldn't encourage any raccoons or varmits to arrive by feeding! Rabies is a real issue with raccoons, and their poo is bad to have around, and don't invite them over unless to meet up with your 22 g. Mary

I like your attitude!

 

[birdwrangler057]

I wouldn't encourage any raccoons or varmits to arrive by feeding! Rabies is a real issue with raccoons, and their poo is bad to have around, and don't invite them over unless to meet up with your 22 g. Mary

I like your attitude!

 

[birdwrangler057]

Speaking of rabid raccoons, I was once chased by one in broad day light! It was very frightening

 

[centrarchid]

Speaking of rabid raccoons, I was once chased by one in broad day light! It was very frightening 

I have chased them numerous times, mostly at night, and not always fully clothed. Physical contact realized more than once when I over ran them in high weeds. Be assured the raccoon is much more afraid than you are. You are afraid of being bitten by a fuzzy little animal weighing at most 35 lbs and possibly rabid, while the raccoon is scared of dying.

Also kept them as pets and learned they are very formidable wrestlers that scratch, bite and will bear-hug your leg to try an knaw it.

 

[Folly's place]

I had one in the clinic years ago; 33 people got their rabies vaccinations,and a few pet dogs were euthanized; not a nice story. Mary

 

[centrarchid]

Dogs not vaccinated I assume. How could raccoon infect 33 people?

 

[TalkALittle]

Dogs not vaccinated I assume. How could raccoon infect 33 people?

Probably the families who owned the dogs.

 

[Folly's place]

Very sad story; people 'adopted' a baby coon, took it to the school, scout meetings, baseball games at school, etc. Dogs were mostly unvaccinated puppies allowed to play with the poor little guy. Fortunately the testing was done when he got sick, so no other lives were lost. There's a reason for rules about fostering wild critters! Mary

 

[centrarchid]

Very sad story;  people 'adopted' a baby coon, took it to the school, scout meetings, baseball games at school, etc.  Dogs were mostly unvaccinated puppies allowed to play with the poor little guy.  Fortunately the testing was done when he got sick, so no other lives were lost.  There's a reason for rules about fostering wild critters!  Mary

Fools do rush in. Vaccinate the critter if you are going to take the responsibility. You are taking an extremely rare example and using it to scare a lot of people.