Critter Chatter — Cautiously Optimistic

As is often the case, I wasn't sure what this month's article would be about and had asked Don to give it some thought so we could talk about it last week. And, as is often the case, it didn't take very long for that question to be answered!

When I stopped by Duck Pond the other day, Dr. Cody Minor of Windsor Veterinary Clinic was finishing up a house call for a young raccoon, whose story is the topic of this column. Although my cat has received care at Windsor Vet for several years, I didn't realize Dr. Minor has experience in zoo/wildlife medicine, as stated on the Clinic's website. And amazingly, one who apparently makes special home visits!

Don received a phone call from a woman who, while walking her dog, found a young raccoon that had been hit by a car (maybe even two). One of its eyes had popped out of its socket and it appeared to have suffered a broken front leg, maybe internal injuries as well. Friends were able to bring the raccoon to Duck Pond, and Don immediately called Windsor Clinic and took the animal in for x-rays. The raccoon did have a broken right leg, as well as two fractures in its jaw. Dr. Minor put the eye back into its socket and treated/stitched the area in the hopes it could be saved. The jaw was wired and the front leg set and put into a cast. The patient was being weaned off pain medication and is being manually syringed soupy canned dog/cat food while under observation at Duck Pond. Just one day later, he seemed to be gaining strength and moving around in his crate in Don's living room. I hope next month's column will include a positive update, thanks to the Good Samaritan, Dr. Minor, the staff at Windsor Veterinary, and Don.

Speaking of Don, by the time you read this, he will have just turned 87. His continued commitment to helping wildlife is inspiring, to say the least. As noted last month, following his May hospitalization, he has transitioned into semi-retirement. While he isn't admitting wildlife for extended care, he receives many calls every day, answers questions, provides advice, and makes referrals to other wildlife rehabbers. Duck Pond is now primarily a drop-off site for folks to bring in the small injured or abandoned wildlife they've found, with other rehabbers coming by almost daily to transport the animals to their own facilities for further treatment and care. Duck Pond prefers not to accept fawns, but Don can help people connect with and/or coordinate transfer with nearby rehabbers.

He has been working primarily with Misfits Rehab in Auburn ((207) 212-1039; FYI, Jen accepts bats and mice), Wilderness Miracles in Bowdoin (207) 720-0074, Bridget Green in Wiscasset (207) 631-0874, Critterville Wildlife in Brooklin (845) 549-2407, and Saco River Wildlife (207) 702-1405. As mentioned in last month's column, mid-coast Maine has a newly licensed turtle rehabber! Pam Meier can be reached at The Turtle's Back (203) 903-2708. As you can imagine, wildlife rehabbers are inundated with their own rescue calls at this time of year, especially for young animals that require extra feedings and care, and Don greatly appreciates their assistance with Duck Pond rescues. Please remember to check these websites for someone close to you: www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html In addition, you can contact your local Animal Control Officer through your town office.

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a nonprofit, State-permitted rehab facility, which is supported by his own resources and outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Avenue, Vassalboro ME 04989 Phone: (207) 445-4326. Please note that the prior wildlifecarecenter email address is no longer monitored.

-by Jayne Winters, Natural Resources Council of Maine member from South China, Maine

Critter Chatter also appears monthly in the Town Linenewspaper

Banner photo: Photo of Don Cote releasing rehabilitated raccoons several years ago. (Duck Pond Wildlife Center archives)

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