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Ask the Shelter: Can I catch my backyard raccoon and bring it to the shelter?

Jennifer Vanerau

Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter

Q: I have one dog at the moment, but really think I would like two. How will I know if my current girl will be OK with another canine?

Clara is a 4-year-old lab/basset hound mix. She came in as a stray, so we don’t have any background information on her, but those short little legs kind of scream basset. Clara is a really affectionate girl who loves people, but needs a home without cats or other dogs. If you’ve got the right spot for her, come get some kisses from Clara!

A: This can sometimes be tricky. A few questions for you: how long have you had your girl? Is she a lap dog? Does she require a lot of your attention? Have you seen her reactions to other animals, either walking by the window or visiting a friend with a dog? Sometimes our pets can become quite attached to us and really don’t want to share mom or dad with another animal, especially if they’ve been the only pet for a while. Also, if you’ve seen her react rather aggressively toward other animals, you might have some issues to work out. If you’ve noticed serious growling and snarling or raising of her hackles (the hair around her shoulders and upper back), those are definite signs of aggression or at the very least dominance. On the other hand, if your girl is used to being around other animals, a second canine could be really great for her. Give us a call at the shelter and we can further discuss the matter with you. Certainly if you decide to get another dog, don’t ever just put the two together and “see what happens.” There’s a definite introduction process that you have to follow so both animals can feel secure and don’t injure one another (or you!). You may need to keep them separated in the house in the beginning until they get used to one another. Proper introductions of pets is something we stress and require at the shelter and really should be done with supervision. Your best bet is to contact a trainer or give us a call so you can be sure of the proper monitoring and understanding.

Peaches is a 2-year-old dilute tortie girl who has a unique coat and expressive green eyes. This sweet lady will make someone a wonderful companion.

Q: I’ve noticed a raccoon in my yard the past few nights. He seems super cute and friendly. If I catch it, can I bring it out to you?

A: Oh my stars, put the brakes on for a second. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to trap or catch or otherwise touch wildlife. Animals like raccoons and squirrels and opossums are called “wild” life for a reason. You could get seriously hurt trying to catch an animal like that. Please contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission – we can’t handle wildlife at the shelter. The numbers for our region are 814-643-1831 or 814-643-9635. Please remember wildlife can be a carrier for rabies and one form of rabies makes the animal seem more friendly. From your description above, that worries me a bit. Don’t hurt yourself trying to help an animal. Make sure you go through the proper channels for the safety of all involved.

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Ask the Shelter is a weekly feature aimed at pet education. If you have a question, contact Jennifer Vanderau, director of communications for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, at cvascomm@cvas-pets.org or 263-5791.