A baby raccoon who lost his mother has found a loving home with his human rescuer. Tippy was discovered in the middle of the road next to his mother, who had tragically been hit by a car. A kind passerby brought Tippy to Dawn, a wildlife rehabilitator in Ormond Beach, Florida.
Dawn began nursing Tippy, but two months into his rehabilitation, he started showing neurological issues. It turned out that Tippy has cerebellar hypoplasia, a condition that can affect many animals. This condition affects his coordination, making him hop and jump instead of walking normally. However, it doesn’t cause him pain, and Tippy doesn’t realize he’s any different.
Because of his condition, Tippy isn’t releasable back into the wild. But he’s far from alone. Dawn cares for several other disabled raccoons, giving Tippy a much-needed group of raccoon friends. And he is friends with a deer and other animals Dawn looks after. He’s also formed a special bond with Dawn, trusting her completely.
Watch Tippy’s adorable rescue journey here:
Dawn hopes that stories like Tippy’s encourage people to be more understanding of the wild animals in their neighborhoods. She explains that deforestation and habitat loss have forced raccoons into urban areas. While raccoons are opportunistic feeders and may come out during the day, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re sick. She says, “And they are super intelligent and they are really very protective and loving towards their own families and their own babies.”
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links.