Family Saves Orphaned Baby Raccoon and Raises Her Like a Dog

When a baby raccoon fell from a tree into the backyard of Rosie Kemp in 2014, no one could have guessed she’d become an internet sensation and beloved family member. The tiny animal, just a month old, was likely orphaned when the tree she was in was cut down. With no mother in sight, Kemp’s daughter Laura Young and her husband William decided to adopt the raccoon—soon named Pumpkin—after the Bahamas Humane Society was unable to take her in.

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According to GOOD, Pumpkin took about a month to recover from a leg injury and quickly bonded with the Youngs’ two rescue dogs, Oreo and Toffee. The family raised Pumpkin in their Bahamian home like one of their own. Laura even created an Instagram account, Pumpkin The Raccoon, where the mischievous raccoon could be seen lounging on sofas, eating pancakes, and playing with her dog siblings.

Pumpkin’s charm attracted over a million followers and landed her on the cover of Garden & Gun magazine. But behind the playful posts was a deep family bond. “She is a cheeky little thing, but we love her dearly,” Young shared.

In 2019, Pumpkin sadly passed away at age five due to an inoperable stomach mass. Young documented the emotional farewell in a heartfelt Instagram series. She later published a book, The Raccoon Who Thinks She Is A Dog, and continues the account to raise funds for causes like World Central Kitchen and the Bahamas Humane Society.

Pumpkin’s story is a gentle reminder that all animals, wild or domestic, deserve love and care. Skip the meat, adopt don’t shop, and Support wildlife sanctuaries whenever you can.

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