Most people expect peaceful mornings filled with birdsong and calm light through the window. For one woman in New York, her day began in a far more alarming way.
Instead of gentle sounds from the yard, she was jolted awake by loud, distressed cries outside her home.
Startled and unsure of what she was hearing, she hurried outdoors to find out what was wrong. What she discovered in her yard caught her completely off guard.
An Unexpected Morning Discovery
Looking toward her fence, she spotted a small bundle of fur wedged tightly between the bars, completely stuck.
Nearby, a frantic mother raccoon paced and cried out, clearly distressed. In that moment, the homeowner understood what she was witnessing. The mother was calling for help because her babies were trapped and unable to free themselves.
Knowing she needed assistance, the homeowner quickly contacted Karenlynn Stracher, an experienced rescuer in New York. Karenlynn made her way over as soon as she heard what was happening.
A Difficult Situation Becomes Clear
At first glance, Karenlynn thought this would be a simple rescue. However, once she arrived and examined the situation, she realized it would require far more effort.
The babies were lodged extremely tightly within the fence, and getting them out safely would be a challenge. Concerned about the pressure against their bodies, Karenlynn contacted the emergency service police unit for additional support.
“There was no time to waste, and I needed to try something now, not just wait for their arrival. Fortunately, the very kind and concerned homeowner was willing to assist me,” Karenlynn told The Dodo.
One of the babies had a leg caught between a pole and a wall, in a space that became narrower the farther it went. If either baby slid down even a bit more, they risked serious harm.
With extreme care, Karenlynn used a grabbing tool to free the first raccoon. She gently placed the little one in a carrier for safety, then moved on to the second baby. After patient maneuvering, she managed to free that one as well.
“They were very frightened, but I’m certain they were happy to be freed. Keeping them together helped alleviate some of their anxiety as well,” she shared.
The entire rescue was filmed and later posted online, where people were moved by the bravery and care shown throughout the effort.
Karenlynn then transported the siblings to a wildlife professional to check for injuries. Thankfully, both were healthy and strong.
She returned them to the same spot where they were found, hoping their mother would come back soon. Before long, the raccoon mom reappeared, searching anxiously. The reunion was immediate and touching, and the family disappeared together into the trees.
“They are still with Mom and seem to be thriving and none the worse for this experience,” Karenlynn said.
@wildliferehab_kl https://gofund.me/a50bb5d9 #wildlife #wildliferehab #wildliferescue #racccoon #babyraccoon #raccoonrescue #raccoonrescuer #raccoonbaby #stuckinafence #racconstuckinafence #raccoonstuck #everylifematters ♬ original sound – KL the Wildlife Rehabilitator
A Reminder About Wildlife Safety
While the outcome was successful, Karenlynn stressed the importance of caution.
Wild animals can pose risks, especially species known to carry rabies such as raccoons, bats, foxes, and skunks. Attempting a rescue without training can endanger both humans and animals.
In this case, a frightening morning turned into a heartwarming story of compassion, skill, and quick thinking. Thanks to one woman’s swift action and Karenlynn’s expertise, two baby raccoons were saved and safely reunited with their mother.