For most people, heading to work doesn’t exactly spark excitement—unless your job involves leaping out of planes for a living.
For the rest of us, mornings usually mean early alarms, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and maybe a pit stop for coffee and breakfast.
And believe it or not, pastors aren’t exempt from the daily grind. Their mornings may start with scripture instead of spreadsheets, but the rhythm is just as routine. That is, until something completely unexpected comes along to shake things up.
And for one New York pastor, that surprise came in the fluffiest form imaginable.
A Furry Surprise
One morning, as a Long Island pastor arrived at his church, he expected a day like any other. But what greeted him at the door was something he hadn’t seen before.
A small, fuzzy creature had gotten itself wedged in the doorway, trying to make its way inside — but clearly struggling.
On closer inspection, the pastor discovered the tiny intruder was actually a raccoon.
Understanding the risks that wild raccoons can carry (particularly rabies), the pastor thought it best to leave the animal alone, hoping it would manage to free itself.
But after a couple of days, he checked back and saw the raccoon was still stuck. That’s when he realized it was time to call in expert help.
Enter New York-based rescuer John Debacker.
“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.
The Rescuer Steps In
With the raccoon having been trapped for days without food or water, Debacker knew the odds of survival weren’t great. But he wasn’t about to give up on the little guy.
“It took a holiday miracle to save his life,” Debacker shared in a Facebook post detailing the heartfelt rescue.
To avoid frightening the already-nervous animal, Debacker approached slowly and gently opened the door, just enough for the raccoon to finally squirm free.
Thankfully, the raccoon seemed to sense the rescue was in good hands.
“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, carefully placed him into a carrier, and brought him to a local wildlife rehab center. After days of distress, the raccoon needed a full check-up and some serious TLC.
Final Thought
No matter how cute they might seem, it’s important not to approach wild raccoons.
These animals can carry rabies — a serious and often fatal disease that affects the nervous system. That’s why it’s always best to let trained professionals handle the situation.
So, if you spot a raccoon in trouble, don’t hesitate to contact your local animal rescue team. They just might save a life.