Seeing a racoon in the daytime can be rather concerning.  Over the past week we have gotten several calls regarding racoons being out in the daytime, in public places, and even wandering in circles.  The fear from callers is that the racoon is rabid.  That could be true, so never approach or attempt to touch the racoon, but there could be other reasons that a racoon could be out in the daytime.   

Other than rabies there are diseases such as canine distemper that can mimic symptoms we associate with rabies.  Another reason could be that the racoon be spending the entire night in their den with their young, necessitating her to come out in the daytime to forage for food.   Either way, do not approach the racoon or attempt to touch it, and give us a call.

If you'd like to know more about racoons, here’s a link to some information on NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s website: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/raccoon.