I found a raccoon. What do I do?
We take raccoons under special procedures. Never touch one with bare hands.
The rule that can’t be broken
Raccoons are a rabies-vector species in California. If a person touches one with bare skin, state law requires the animal to be euthanized and tested. The animal dies because of the touch, not because of any risk it posed. Gloves or a thick towel, every time.
Is it really orphaned?
Raccoons are nocturnal, and mothers leave their young in the den all day. A young raccoon alone under a house or in a nest area should be left alone; she’ll be back after dark.
A young raccoon out in the open during the day, or crying for hours, is worth watching. Put a box over it that the mother can get into but it can’t get out of, and wait until evening. If she hasn’t come by the next morning, call us.
Injured or hit by a car
If you can get it into a secure container without touching it, do that: drop a towel over it, scoop it into a box, and close the lid. Then warm, dark, quiet, and call. For an adult raccoon, or one you can’t contain safely, call animal control instead.
What not to do
- No food, no water.
- Don’t leave pet food out at night, and keep trash secured; it’s how raccoons end up in your attic.
- Don’t try to relocate a raccoon. It’s illegal in California, and the territory refills within weeks.
Then call us
Whatever you found, call or text (510) 421-9897 before you drive anywhere. We'll confirm what you have, tell you whether to bring it to us or somewhere closer, and make sure someone is there to meet you.
