Most people don’t leap out of bed thrilled to head to work, unless their job involves skydiving for a living.
For the majority, mornings begin with blaring alarms, traffic jams, and maybe a quick stop for caffeine and a bite to eat.
Surprisingly, pastors aren’t immune to the daily hustle. Their mornings may begin with verses instead of emails, but the routine remains the same. That is, until something truly out of the ordinary interrupts it.
And for one pastor in New York, that interruption arrived in the fluffiest way possible.
An Unexpected Morning Encounter
One morning on Long Island, a pastor arrived at his church expecting a typical day. But something unusual caught his eye at the entrance.
A small, fluffy creature had wedged itself under the door, clearly trying to get inside but struggling to move.
Upon closer inspection, the pastor realized the tiny visitor was a raccoon.
Knowing that wild raccoons can carry serious diseases like rabies, the pastor decided not to intervene directly. He hoped the animal would eventually free itself.
But after several days, the raccoon remained stuck. That’s when the pastor knew it was time to call in someone with experience.
He reached out to John Debacker, a rescuer based in New York.
“I couldn’t believe that he was still there for so many days. I was happy that I got the call so he could have a chance,” Debacker told The Dodo.
A Gentle Rescue Effort Begins
The raccoon had gone days without food or water, and Debacker understood the situation was urgent. Still, he wasn’t ready to give up.
“It took a holiday miracle to save his life,” Debacker shared in a Facebook post detailing the heartfelt rescue.
To avoid scaring the already stressed animal, Debacker moved slowly and carefully opened the door just enough for the raccoon to wriggle free.
The raccoon seemed to understand he was being helped.
“He was very calm. Normally they flip out, but I believe he knew I was there to help,” Debacker said.
Debacker met the raccoon at the church gate, gently placed him into a carrier, and transported him to a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center. After enduring days of hardship, the raccoon needed a full medical evaluation and plenty of care.
Important Reminder For Wildlife Encounters
Even if they appear harmless, wild raccoons should never be approached.
These animals can transmit rabies, a dangerous and often fatal illness that affects the nervous system. That’s why it’s crucial to leave rescues to trained professionals.
If you ever come across a raccoon in distress, contact your local wildlife rescue team. They may be the lifeline that animal needs.