Extremely Obese Raccoons Kept Illegally as Pets Finally Rescued

These two raccoons were kept illegally as pets when they should have been sent to a rehabilitator who could have released them back into the wild. When the state asked @arcticfoxdaily if she could go rescue them, so they didn’t have to be euthanized, she was in disbelief when she saw them.

The two raccoons were severely overweight and the biggest raccoons that she had ever seen. It was clear that the person who was keeping them did not know about their dietary needs and let them become incredibly unhealthy. In a TikTok video, the raccoon is attempting to get out of a wooden box where he was staying, but he is so large he can barely fit out of the hole.

@arcticfoxdaily

😩 Please don’t let your pets get this overweight – know their correct diet needs. #raccoon #petraccoon #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #foxsanctuary #wolfsanctuary #redfox #arcticfox #obesity #fatanimals

♬ Lazy Sunday – Official Sound Studio

Although @arcticfoxdaily does not specialize in raccoons, when the raccoons were faced with either euthanasia or coming to her sanctuary, she of course took them in. She did some research and knew that raccoons like working for their food, so in the morning, she gave them a healthy and nourishing breakfast in a container with a hole cut out so that they would have to work for it.

@arcticfoxdaily

It’s their tiny hands for me 🦝👋🏻 Thank you to those who continue to Support my #wildliferescue efforts ❤️ #wildliferehab #foxsanctuary #wolfdog #wolfsanctuary #redfox #arcticfox #babyfox #furfarmrescue #exoticpets #raccoon #petraccoon #givingtuesday #nonprofit

♬ Cute Puppies – Mark Ross

The raccoons were still very heavy and even had to use their rescuer as a stepping stool to get into their house.

@arcticfoxdaily

🦝 These raccoons’ obesity is the ultimate mix of emotions: it’s extremely sad, but they’re also undeniably adorable. They’ve actually lost a bit of weight since coming to my rescue! 👏🏼 Thank you so much again to everyone who donated towards a permanent enclosure for Mo and Savvy! We’ve raised over half the funds necessary. Construction should begin around the start of January.🎉 #wildliferescue #raccoon #adorableanimals

♬ Lollipop – The Chordettes

In an act of kindness, a donor told the sanctuary that they would match donations of up to $2,000 to build the raccoons a permanent housing structure.

@arcticfoxdaily

Amidst the heartbreaking news of Ruby, we received very encouraging news: We have our first donor match opportunity! An anonymous donor is willing to match up to TWO THOUSAND dollars in donations! I’m in the process of ordering materials for a permanent enclosure for our raccoon friends, Mo and Savvy, and it’s looking like this is going to cost at least $10,000. If we max out this match, that’ll put a HUGE dent in expenses. Thank you so much, as usual, if you can Support, my dear social media fam. Your donation is worth DOUBLE right now. 🙏🏼 #wildliferescue #raccoonsoftiktok #raccoon

♬ Cute songs for pet videos and easy events – Saku

To learn more about Arctic Fox Daily and to Donate, check out their website.

If you happen to see a raccoon that is wounded or appears to be acting abnormally, stumbling or frothing at the mouth, keep your distance and call Animal Control right away. As with all wildlife, it is always best to leave the animals undisturbed and NOT to feed them, even if they look perfectly normal. Human intervention, however well-meaning it may be, can cause animals to lose their fear of people or become dependent on them for food, which could end poorly if the animal comes across a person who is not so eager to make wild friends.

Many of us share our neighborhoods with wild animals, so it is vitally important we learn how to properly interact with them to keep all parties safe! For more tips on how to do this, click here. 

Related Content:

• New Study Reveals How Raccoons Survive in Human-Dominated Environments
• Rescued Baby Raccoons Enjoy the Ultimate Relaxation Session in a Hammock [Video]
• North Dakota Woman Who Took Rescued Raccoon to Bar for Happy Hour is Arrested
• Wildlife Rescuers Free Cute Raccoon From a Drain [Video]
• USDA Dropping Fish-Flavored Vaccines From the Sky to Stop Spread of Rabies in Raccoons

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