What to feed a family of racoons

[m1chae1]

Hi there my neighbor has recently moved out and whilst rooting around in his shed I found a family of possums or racoons, I've got no idea what to feed them I've tried worms, maggots and babyfood but they're not interested what should I feed them? There are two adults and 6 babies, on a side note do they carry rabies as my wife was mauled pretty badly when one ran up her leg to escape from me. Thanks.
mike.

[m1chae1]

Thank you all especially clanad, here's the update my wife's not feeling ill at all but the doctor wants to come and take tests and also to monitor the racoons until his friend who's an animal expert can come down today to check them for rabies. There is absolutely no way on earth they're going to come anywhere with me as i spent the last 15 minutes trying to usher them into a dogbasket so I could take them to my spare room where it's warmer and safer for them but they didn't want to come and I was scratched and bitten several times but luckly I wore my extra thick fishing waders as I suspected that after my wife was bitten I may be attacked as well. I have left the dog basket in the shed and hopefully they all get into it as it's warmer than the shed floor. I had the wife buy some dry dogfood which has been left in the bowl in the shed for them, I'll check it later to see if they've eaten and update for anyone interested. Thanks all.
Mike.

[wolf63]

Michael - I hope that your original question was sincere, but you have to admit that, from our point of view, it really IS a strange situation that you find yourself in.

We get many people posting bizarre questions late at night - mostly people who have just joined the site.

So you can imagine that we are a little cynical and suspicious of 'strange' stories/questions - and that really describes yours to a T.

They really are quite cute animals. ;-)

[tamborine]

If they are that feisty when hungry & cold I dread to think what they are capable of when fed & fit.

Any photos yet ?

[m1chae1]

Wolf if you lived next to my former neighbor this is actually one of the tamer stories that happened, we've had everything from escaped tarantulas in the garden to snakes in the attic, I haven't seen any sign of anyone being cynical and am happy with the informative answers I have received here.Tamborine no I originally wanted to bring them into the house and would've taken some photos then but earlier the only purpose I wanted to fulfil was to try and move them and then to leave food for them, i think I've bothered them a little to much for now but will try and get a photo if the animal expert says it's okay as I'm not sure how they'd react to a camera flash as it's quite dark in the shed.

[jackthehat]

http://debcalnon.com/Pix/Raccoon-Clown-Med.png

[Kleiber]

If your neighbour was that crazy, have you contacted the RSPCA? For the animals, I mean, not the neighbour!

[m1chae1]

Jackthehat they're actually called natures clowns because of their antics, did you know they dip their bread in water before eating? Very clever indeed.
Kleiber my neighbor wasn't crazy, a little eccentric maybe but not mentally ill from what I could see, and why would I call the rspca, I never seen any proof of abuse or harm come to any animals, if anything he had the latest kit and looked after them very well.

[tamborine]

here's a good piccy

http://www.purpleshos...s/details.asp?pc=2013

[m1chae1]

Tamborine i find that horrible but understand that your tongue must be in firmly in cheek as surely we all know that fur is murder by now.

[tamborine]

says you mike sitting on your leather armchair

[Kleiber]

I'm not saying he didn't look after his animals, Mike (but if he really cared about them, why did he leave them behind???). What I am suggesting is that you contact the RSPCA to see if they can come and catch them so they can be re-homed!! I'm still not sure about this thread, though......

[m1chae1]

Tamborine the way leather is harvested is totally different to mink, seal fur etc...
Kleiber a genteman will be coming this afternoon to check and possibly deal with the racoons. I have no idea why he left suddenly and why he left his racoons in the shed but like you would like to know why.

[tamborine]

ok mike, I'll just eat more porridge when I'm cold :)

[ChuckFickens]

I'm sue everyone would love to see a picture of these raccoons. please post one.

[m1chae1]

Tamborine you could easily wear man made fibres to be safe.
Chuckfickens as I've bothered them earlier I'd rather leave them rest for the moment as they're pretty shaken up after I tried to move them, also I'm not sure whether a photographers flash would be too shocking for them and their eyesight as they're in the shed which is dark, I'll wait for the animal inspectors advice before taking any photos to be on the safe side

[momac]

Michael..I have just had a nosy on google..and apparently you can feed them cat food,it also says that to notify the vet..and he will advise you what the next step would be.

[m1chae1]

Thank you momac I've given them dry dog food on advice from another user and will have a representative from the animal department here in the afternoon to assess and advise the racoon situation.

[snags]

I smell something dodgy and it aint Racoon sh!t...

[Prudie]

Sorry, have to post here because this is bordering on the ridiculous!!! Just thought some would like to know I kept 2 raccoons as pets and great fun they were however a family would not stay in a shed, they can be aggressive and would have found their way out, especially if as hungry as you say (garbage). They have no more likelihood of having rabies than any other animal in the UK - negligible.
I used to feed mine a complete dry food plus lots of fruit and veg but they will eat anything. A cute alternative name for them is Washing Bears.
Thanks for brightening up my day though.