A joyful young boy was walking through the streets of Hammond, Louisiana, enjoying a typical day with no idea that something unusual was about to unfold. As he passed by a storm drain, he noticed a fuzzy lump resting nearby.
He immediately sensed something was off. Instead of approaching it himself, he called his parents to come take a look.
They arrived shortly after and, upon seeing the situation, decided to contact professionals right away.
Rescued Just In Time
Curled up near the storm drain was a baby skunk, also known as a kit. The compassionate family was heartbroken to see the small creature in such a vulnerable state, but they didn’t feel comfortable handling it themselves.
So they reached out to Geaux Wild Rehab, a wildlife rescue center located in Hammond, Louisiana.
Tisha Raiford, the director of the facility, asked the family to bring the baby skunk to their center and expressed deep gratitude for their decision to help.
“I am so thankful for people who stop to rescue an innocent life and don’t just turn their backs and keep going by,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
When the kit arrived at the center, Tisha was relieved to discover the animal had been rescued just in time. Maggots were found on a sensitive part of her body, and without prompt treatment, they could have caused serious harm.
“I am so glad she was found because maggots can cause so much damage. Praying that she will be strong and healthy and NOT poof again,” Tisha wrote in the post.
Thanks to the expert care provided by the veterinary team, the baby skunk was quickly stabilized and out of immediate danger.
A Feisty Fighter On The Mend
After spending time recovering at the rehab center, the little skunk began showing clear signs of progress and regained her strength.
“She’s thriving,” Tisha told The Dodo. “She’s eating and growing just as she should … She’s a spicy little thing. She likes to spray.”
Once ignored by passersby, this baby skunk now had a renewed chance at life, surrounded by people who truly cared for her.
All that remained was the final step, returning to the wild where she belonged. Fortunately, that moment was fast approaching, and she wouldn’t be alone.
“She’ll go in that group of eight,” Tisha said. “And the whole group will be released together.”