He wasn’t moving 💔
Pulling into the parking lot of a local veterinarian’s office, Long Island animal rescuer Karenlynn Stracher braced herself for the intense 81-degree heat. Earlier that day, Stracher received a distress call about an animal trapped inside the dumpster. Concerned for the welfare of the creature, she hurried to the scene.
As Stracher opened the dumpster, she discovered the animal she had been searching for. There, nestled in the corner amidst the refuse, was a forlorn little raccoon.
“We’re going to get you out,” Stracher reassured in a video captured at the scene.
Stracher lowered the side of a wire mesh pen into the dumpster, fashioning a makeshift ladder. With each movement, her concern deepened — the raccoon remained unmoving. He sat quietly, looking up at her with his melancholy black eyes.
Since the raccoon wasn’t using the ladder, Stracher lowered a catch pole into the dumpster, secured the rope around his body, and carefully pulled him out. Suddenly, the raccoon began to thrash about. This was a promising sign — it indicated he wasn’t injured or ill, just frightened.
Once free from the dumpster, the raccoon swiftly scampered back into the wild.
Stracher felt a sense of relief seeing him go.
“I was quite concerned initially because of his lack of response,” Stracher shared. “I was very relieved when he ran off on his own, unharmed.”