This story is from an Unknown Author.

I’ll bet that at sometime or another; you have been told that if you see a raccoon out during the daylight hours it is sick – most likely rabid. This seems to be a very common misconception that can cost the lives of innocent, healthy raccoons. Since late winter, mother raccoons have been giving birth to their litters, usually consisting of two to five kits. These wonderful mothers must leave their young at times to eat and drink and, to them, the best time to do this is during the day. From momma raccoon’s point of view, this is the time that is most safe for her to leave the young as most predators are sleeping. She is able to do what she needs to do and get back home to the babies long before anything that could harm her young begins to stir.

Then, as her kits begin to toddle around behind mom, daytime is still the safer time to be out for the family. That is unless mom is spotted by misinformed people who then call their local animal services office to remove the "rabid" raccoon from the neighborhood.

We recently received a call from Ken an Elaine Anderson who lived in Hernando County. A family of raccoons had been frequenting their golf course neighborhood during daylight hours and residents complained until mom and two of her three kits were trapped and euthanized. One of her youngsters managed to escape and was surviving on the handouts of kind people like the Anderson’s – but this kit’s days were numbered. Neighbors were now aware that this one had escaped and still felt that it posed a threat to the community. Fortunately, the Anderson’s daughter, Karen, was in town for a visit. She had been involved in wildlife rehabilitation in California and searched for a local rehabber on the Internet where she found us. Even though it was a 140-mile round trip, we wanted to save this baby and headed to Hernando County.

When we arrived, the Anderson’s pointed out a beautiful, healthy young raccoon on the edge of the golf course. Joe scooped her up with a net while Mr. Anderson tossed her grapes as a distraction. This young female raccoon is now at our Center and will have the opportunity to live her life as intended. Just a few days after our rescue of the Hernando County orphan, I was called to Mt. Dora to pick up a young raccoon. The neighborhood residents had observed an adult raccoon out in the daytime off and on for a few weeks and made the fateful decision to call animal control. The raccoon was trapped and euthanized. Then, a few days later, a six-week-old baby girl was found – hungry, frightened and alone. Education is our best defense against such needless death.

The Anderson’s have shared this story in their homeowner’s association newsletter in hopes of educating the residents so this does not happen again. In Mt. Dora, I talked to all the neighbors that were available and explained why the adult raccoon was seen during the daytime and what will be done if animal services or a trapper are called. Hopefully, these folks will spread this knowledge and the situation can be handled differently next time. If trapping and relocation of an animal is absolutely necessary, wildlife rehabbers will gladly assist if called. The rehabber will check to see if a nursing mother has been trapped and then will help in locating the babies, trying to preserve the family. I am thankful that at least these two precious lives could be saved this time and hopeful that we can all work to spread the word and help save others in the future.