Massachusetts Baby Raccoon Rescued After Being Found Sad, Drenched, and Alone

The Belchertown Animal Control in Belchertown, Mass., answered a series of rescue calls that led to some adorable interactions with lost baby animals. 

According to a spokesperson and an officer for the animal control team, on June 7, the crew responded to two separate calls for help, rescuing a baby raccoon and a baby groundhog — both found alone and vulnerable in unexpected locations. 

The first call came from a resident who spotted a baby raccoon curled up on his front doorstep after a rainstorm. Based on his dogs’ behavior, he suspected the little one had been there all night. When Belchertown Animal Control arrived, they found the raccoon cold, soaked, and visibly frightened.

“The little baby was cold and wet from the rainstorm we had,” the animal control officer on the scene exclusively told PEOPLE. “As soon as I saw him, my heart broke. He was drenched and looked so scared, curled up at the front door. He was too young to be on his own.” 

After ensuring no mother raccoon was nearby, the officer bundled the baby in a warm blanket and called Leyden Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation in Leyden, Mass., where the raccoon is now recovering.

After the raccoon rescue, Belchertown Animal Control received another call the same day — this time, from a resident who had found a baby groundhog trapped inside a batting cage net.

Officers arrived and found the plastic netting tightly wound around the groundhog’s neck, causing it to gasp for air. The officer carefully cut through around 30 strands to free the baby.

The raccoon and the groundhog are now both at Leyden Center, where they will be cared for until they are strong enough to return to the wild.

“During ‘baby season,’ and throughout the year, we come across an assortment of wildlife that needs help,” said the officer. “We are a small Animal Control Department with three staff [members] that cover all of Belchertown, Mass., 24/7. We respond to all calls regarding any animal.”

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In a social media post, Belchertown Animal Control thanked the residents who made the calls for the youngsters, and to Leyden Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation for its assistance in the rescues. 

“Huge thanks to the resident that found the raccoon, he is transporting both babies to rehab!” read the post. “And a huge thank you to our amazing wildlife rehabber. It certainly takes a village!”