Save Our Raccoon Population from Distemper

Wild at Heart Rescue (WAHR) is attempting to preserve and spearhead a project to stop the rapid increase of distemper-positive raccoons in the Hancock County area. Leading this project, is Joshua Holland, Director of Security for WAHR. In the past 15 days, WAHR and neighboring rescues have responded to over 20 raccoons that have been picked up for distemper. Distemper can be prevented with a vaccination. Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has given the "go-ahead" for the "Trap & Vax Project", to begin. The objective is to raise the funds for the vaccinations, trap our healthy population, vaccinate, and immediately release them after tagging them by taking off a patch of fur on the neck to ID healthy & vaccinated raccoons. Distemper can be combatted with vaccinations, which is why vaccinating domestic dogs is highly encouraged. The goal is $500 to successfully vaccinate 50 raccoons, due to the vaccination being at the lowest cost of $10 per vaccine. This vaccine has proven to work as it is administered to our babies that are brought in during the spring before their release into the wild at maturity. Preserving our wildlife is our responsibility. With your help in the funds department, we will put in the footwork! Thank you for your support! Updated Videos will be added to our FB page regularly throughout the project! Any additional funds raised will assist us in preparation for upcoming baby season and supplies!