Woman Suffers Head Trauma Rescuing Baby Raccoons, Calls it Her "Lucky Day"

Written by Laura Guttridge of Florida (USA)

I have been saving animals all my life. My rescues have ranged from untangling pelicans from fishing line to relocating the endangered gopher tortoises from construction sites. One afternoon I received a call about a nest of baby raccoons that needed to be rescued from an attic. The mother had been trapped, and relocated days before, forcing her to leave behind her babies. The homeowner did not realize the nest existed until he heard cries days later.

So I gathered up everything I would need for the rescue, and headed out the door. When I got there, the homeowner asked me if I had ever walked in an attic. I said “of course” even though I never have. He warned me to stay on the rafters and I said, “no problem.”

When I got up there, it was hot and dark. My little flashlight barely provided any light. To make the matter worse, there was all this snowy stuff, so I could not really see the rafters. I was just kind of shuffling around. I felt the floor starting to give, but kept searching for the nest. All of the sudden I fell through the attic, landing on the homeowner’s backyard patio! All of my stuff fell with me…the empty cage, the flashlight and my glove. I was inches away from a chair with iron spikes on the top! Strangely, I felt fine, no broken bones. However, my head did hit the concrete and I was bleeding pretty bad. (No pain though.) I was more embarrassed than anything.

My Head Continued to Bleed…

I had to walk around to the front of the home to tell the homeowner that I just crashed through his ceiling. He was horrified that I could be hurt. I explained to him that I was fine, and I insisted on going back up in the attic. He reluctantly allowed me to go. This time I had a better idea of where the nest was located and I was able to get the baby raccoons within minutes. While up there, the cut on my head continued to bleed, and I was a real mess when I finally got out. However, I had four of the cutest little baby raccoons ever. They all survived rehabilitation and were brought to the same location their mother was taken to. I so hoped that they somehow reunited.

And as for me, well, I ended up with 14 staples in my skull. The doctor said it was the worst head wound he has ever seen in which a person didn’t lose consciousness. It was certainly a lucky day for those baby raccoons, and for me.

Want A Double Dose of Sugar?

If you loved this incredibly sweet story, how about a double feature? Our treat. Have a look at this account from an Indiana family caring for a blind mother raccoon and her babies. Brought to you by The Great Animal Rescue Chase.

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Read more: attic, great animal rescue chase, raccoon rescue

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Chinmayee J.

10:08PM PST on Feb 17, 2013

That was a wonderful thing you did, and it took a lot of courage - keep up the good work but try to be careful too!

February 17
send a green star

Past Member .

2:19AM PST on Feb 10, 2012

Thank goodness for people like you.

February 10
send a green star

Despina V.

12:36PM PST on Feb 8, 2012

Luckily a happy ending

February 8
send a green star

Bette M.

5:26PM PST on Feb 7, 2012

I love raccoons, they are so adorable & very funny too.

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