“Sammy” the raccoon:
He was found in St. Louis, and I am told his mother is dead. He was brought to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), given a clean bill of health, and sent to Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation for care. Sammy came in a bit hungry and dehydrated, but has settled in nicely. He is constantly hungry (!), so he is being introduced to some solids now as appropriate for his age.
He will outgrow his kennel in a couple weeks, and will go into the outside pen, with more room to explore. I offer lots of opportunities for play as raccoons are very smart and curious. They need lots of stimulation to keep them to keep them out of mischief. This means adding something new to the pen regularly, and making him search for his food, as would a wild raccoon.
Sammy will spend the winter outside in a den box, but protected from predators, and supplemented with food. He will then be released in the spring, by just opening the door one evening, and he will make his choice (it is always for freedom).
In the meantime, he will eat a LOT of meat donated by my local COOP grocery store, along with produce, fruit and vegetables for a balanced diet. This will be supplemented with puppy chow to ensure sufficient protein and vitamins.
Foster donations will go towards food and cage improvements for him and his cousins who come into care as well.
Thank you!
Jan Shadick, Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation
Please click on the link below, and include “support Sammy” when you send your donation.
UPDATE ! NEW***
Sammy is now hanging out at his over-wintering site with 9 other cousins! They are enjoying their freedom to climb the trees, dig in the dirt, find their food that is hidden all over the pens, and generally get into mischief! Enrichment is a huge part of helping them learn to survive in the wild, so we work hard to keep them on their toes by introducing all sorts of new things to them regularly. This requires a good imagination!!
They like finding and catching the fish in their wading pool, reaching and climbing for the corn cobs, and chasing each other up down and around! Sammy and his 9 cousins will spend the winter in this safe place since they do not have their mothers to keep them safe in the wild. They will go free in the spring to make their way in the world, and carve out their own territory for their future families. In the meantime, we will support them to continue to grow and learn.
Foster donations go towards food and shelter, to ensure Sammy and his cousins have enough winter fat to keep them warm through our harsh Saskatchewan winter and a secure den in which they can escape the frosty temperatures outside!
Thank you for your support!
Jan Shadick
Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc.