These raccoons were raised by a family after they found them as babies in a cut down tree. They kept them as pets until one of them became injured in their outdoor cage. Because it is illegal to keep pet raccoons in VA without a permit, and they didn't have one, they could not get vet care for this raccoon and had to bring them to the BRWC (Blue Ridge Wildlife Center) and give up possession of them. The female with the injured foot was separated from her brothers so we could medicate her more easily in her food and treat her foot. After two weeks she began showing signs of rabies. Rabies testing proved that she had contracted rabies. Because the family of 5 that had raised these raccoons had close contact with this raccoon, they were all required to get rabies vaccines. These two brothers are still in quarantine. Moral of the story....do not take wildlife into your home unless you are permitted and well educated on how to care for these animals.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
These raccoons were raised by a family after they found them as babies in a cut down tree. They kept them as pets until one of them became injured in their outdoor cage. Because it is illegal to keep pet raccoons in VA without a permit, and they didn't have one, they could not get vet care for this raccoon and had to bring them to the BRWC (Blue Ridge Wildlife Center) and give up possession of them. The female with the injured foot was separated from her brothers so we could medicate her more easily in her food and treat her foot. After two weeks she began showing signs of rabies. Rabies testing proved that she had contracted rabies. Because the family of 5 that had raised these raccoons had close contact with this raccoon, they were all required to get rabies vaccines. These two brothers are still in quarantine. Moral of the story....do not take wildlife into your home unless you are permitted and well educated on how to care for these animals.
