The Story of Zorra:
We found Zorra (raccoon) in Florida (2003) when she was a few days old. She had fallen from an unknown tree, was bleeding from the nose and mouth, and covered in red ants. While nursing her back to health and getting her strong again we learned she had also suffered a rear leg injury – in short, Zorra was declared unlikely to survive in the wild. She was thus spayed, vaccinated and adopted into our family. Zorra was never caged and always allowed free roam of the house, yard and barn – and many times that she could have left, she never chose to. Our choice brought challenges and sacrifices, but Zorra was a delightful, very special member of our family for over five years. She gave me an appreciation for wildlife and I later became trained for the rehab and release of orphaned raccoons. I do NOT advocate the keeping of orphaned wildlife and hypocritical as it may be, I strive to teach others the WHY behind this. Experience IS the best teacher. With experience and much dedication, raccoons are amazing to be around and I do fight for the right to provide private possession for unreleasable animals. However, when Zorra came into my life I knew nothing. No one would help me the first few months, and all I wanted to do was help this helpless creature. Thanks to the intranet, I did. This would change my life - indescribably.
Our family, including Zorra, moved to CO in 2007 due to a family crisis. Zorra was always completely healthy and loved beyond words - I had no idea CO would be the complete opposite of FL’s possession laws (although I could not have made any other decision). When I learned this it was too late. I am guilty of loving her too much…I can’t apologize for devotion. She was entirely “family” to me.
On September 17, 2008, the Colorado Division of Wildlife used unnecessary force to seize Zorra from our home with a search warrant, based on a phone call from a Jonathan Jolicoeur, who never even had contact with Zorra. He knew I had just learned that Colorado did not allow possession of a raccoon when I was asked to start doing rehab. He swore on his mother’s life that he would never use this concern to hurt us - until he learned he could get a cash reward. He enacted despicable revenge on an innocent animal and a friend who had simply tried to help him.
The CDOW seized Zorra. I was not home that evening. Zorra was an hour from civilization; absolutely no threat to anyone or anything. She had done nothing wrong and was peacefully sleeping on the bed in the downstairs bedroom. My friend was terrified, even “patted down” in her pajamas for weapons! It was extremely traumatizing for both her and Zorra. The DOW proceeded with “punishment that did not fit the crime”.
Throughout this ordeal the DOW would not allow me to know where they were keeping Zorra or to go see her, despite my complete cooperation and their admission that Zorra was not doing well. Their intention to likely euthanize her was repeatedly held over my head by the officers and the rehabber who was keeping Zorra. Being ‘wildlife’ officers and even admitting the dangerous stress factors being forced on an adult raccoon did not take precedence in their actions for the 13 days they held her. Begging for her life, for any exception, was repeatedly refused. Always wanting to do wildlife education, I offered to obtain a USDA Class C federal license but was told not even this was allowed. I found someone who held such a license and offered to take possession of Zorra immediately, my local officers thought this OK, yet this was also denied by Denver.
I was finally given two options. The first one, euthanizing Zorra, was not an option I could accept. So I was given 7 days to arrange to move her out of state, and with several additional demands that had to be met first as well. They knew this meant we were being forced to move away. I was threatened with further charges, including federal charges and radio tracking devices if I didn’t cooperate. Despite meeting these demands within only a few days (a huge feat) and my complete cooperation - and even despite the officer agreeing I had been so cooperative - I was refused again to see her. Finally, when he confessed concerns about her ongoing stress he agreed that Zorra should come home until we left the state in a few days, but he then reversed his opinion and refused again to return her to me. The rehabber was determined to shoot Zorra with a tranquilizer dart-gun when it was time to return her to me, despite my pleading with her not to, that it was not necessary! Zorra did not need to be tranquilized, she had not been eating, and I did not want her to wake up on the trip suffering possible reactions! I had no choice but to report this intent to my officer, and it was later that day that he reversed his decision to return Zorra to me, based on the rehabber now refusing to agree. I had been nothing but gracious to her.
IN THE WORDS OF GLORIA ALLRED – ALL ATTEMPTS TO KEEP AN ANIMAL INTACT WITH THEIR FAMILY IS HIGHLY ADVISED.
I, and friends, pleaded with the officer to allow Zorra and me even just a day to settle down before forcing me to drive the straight 36 hours (per their demands). My stress was no doubt as bad as Zorra’s had been the last awful 13 days. I was unable to eat, vomiting, and even passing out. At 110 lbs, I lost 6 lbs in that week. I had been told Zorra was also unable to eat while she was held hostage I knew going from what she had now been thru to a 36 hour drive in the car and to yet another strange place in a cage and with a drastic climate change would be horrendous for her. When the officer brought her to me he demanded I leave immediately and said he would be back in a few hours to check, as well as calling the state of FL and the sanctuary I was forced to take her to as well to confirm – and again, reminded me that federal and additional charges would be brought against me, as well as Zorra being destroyed. I was fighting for her very life. (Other actions and results are being withheld.)
The trip was extremely taxing on both Zorra and me; we were both exhausted. Twice I was unable to stay awake and drove off the road. The sanctuary in FL was wonderful. We got her settled in and I spent the next day with her before I had to fly back to CO and quickly sell our home and get moved. If you have never seen or heard a raccoon cry – know it is heart-wrenching. The CDOW officer had initially demanded Zorra remain in the sanctuary for the rest of her life! But Florida said no, I could have her back as quickly as a new pet permit could be issued and I could return from Colorado. A FL import permit typically takes weeks but they were so kind to do this in two hours to accommodate CO’s demands.
The sanctuary in FL kept in daily contact with me. Zorra was given a huge cage with a swimming pool to help her struggle with the heat, and every food and treat she loved. They were trying very hard to give Zorra everything she could need or want to ‘hang in there’ until she could have what she needed most – me. She was still very depressed, stressed and no doubt confused. The bond between us was critical, whether some people or even so called experts ‘get that’ or not, and in her lifetime we had never been apart more than 6 days. My heart ached for her again over the next week and a half. I did not know THEN that such emotional separation stress on a raccoon often causes their death within 20-40 days.
I was one hour from leaving CO and getting back to Zorra.... Our FL permit to regain possession of Zorra had just been approved. I had quit my job, given away over 80% of my belongings and cleaned out the now sold house. I said goodbye to my friends and boyfriend. The truck and trailer were packed. On my way to pick it up I received the horrifying call from Florida that Zorra had simply given up that very morning. She literally died of a broken heart. My friend turned around and the truck and trailer were left sitting there. I went thru a terrible depression. I needed professional help but I hid away in the mountains alone most of the time in the subsequent months.
I now want people to know how extremely stressful such actions and loss can be. I have since learned about several humans that have become critically depressed upon losing such a dear friend, and a few who did not survive the loss of their raccoon. This is a very real situation.
So many people knew how special and unique Zorra was and had supported us. There is nothing I would not have done to save Zorra, but it was too much stress put upon her. My heartache is still immense. I was advised to obtain legal counsel for the violation of my civil rights and the abuse inflicted on Zorra. That may still happen.
In May 2009, I petition the state of CO for change. In fairness to other “Zorra’s” existing IN Colorado, and by the means and rights given to Americans, we asked the CDOW to do the right thing and simply remove the raccoon from its prohibited list. I had offered to obtain a USDA Class C license and do a wildlife education program. Not even this is allowed in CO, and this is what should change. Restrictions are understandable – Prohibition is ludicrously extreme and unjust; it is a death sentence - and apparently a weapon to use against citizens when and how authorities choose to.
Regardless of any opinion to the possession debate, possession does exist and always will. It is an issue, and outlawing it has serious consequences.
There are people who attempt keeping a wild animal and do not succeed. (There are also overflowing pet shelters – so…is no one then capable of keeping a dog or cat? Same situation; different scale) There are many who DO know the right ways to do this, the sacrifices, the risks, the dedication such an animal requires… and this provides a form of special sanctuary for non-releasable animals that are currently ordered killed in CO, and any state without sanctuary and options available. With the raccoon (unjustly) on the states prohibited list, there are no legal options available for any such raccoon, or for qualified citizens able and willing to help not just the animal, but even offer a greatly needed wildlife appreciation program as well.
Families moving with existing licensed pets should not have to choose to become illegal and subjected to this! There are other qualified wildlife enthusiasts besides hunters.
Success is quiet; Failure is very loud. If all you ever saw, say as a rehabber or wildlife officer, are the sad cases of failed attempts, it is easy to understand why you would doubt this possible, or a good idea. I know it can be done of course, and I belong to a large network of folks who are also completely successful.
Zoonosis is not an issue when one is educated and diligent in proper care and protection. Properly kept animals have never been the cause of spreading disease, in fact, rabies was spread to northern states decades ago by hunters trapping, stressing, and relocating animals for sport hunts. USDA mandates proper acquisition methods (i.e., no animals taken from the wild), health records and sterilization of animals. State Ag Departments demand a veterinarian 30 day health certificate prior to importation. Domestic animals? Nothing! Other states regulations, even the strictest, have an exception for federally held animals and even “special circumstances”. They know these animals and citizens are not the risk factor. Why is CO so stubborn when citizens are so willing to accommodate and nearly 80% of the US has allowances?
What is best for such an animal IS the first concern. Who is doing such education? Besides just telling people to not leave pet food out and secure their trash? Very few are teaching wildlife appreciation and respect; what to do, how to reach a wildlife rehabilitator, WHY possession can be a very bad idea…Fear and distorted facts are poor education and urban wildlife is an exponentially growing issue.
We who have had our hearts stolen by these little bandits are forever dedicated to them. If you ever meet a tamed raccoon, you will be shocked and charmed by their intelligence. Colorado's stance is heartless and is grossly lacking equality among over 90% of other states’ regulations, and for the majority wildlife enthusiasts, who are not sportsmen. While some officers and even a Senator were 100% supportive, other Staff ignored the federal license aspect of this petition and remain outright defensive. I am tired of hearing “we didn’t kill that raccoon, it died in FL”. It WAS their laws and poor decisions that killed her. I am trying to move on from what happened with Zorra; I paid a price well beyond my fines. Is CO a division For wildlife, For people? Or just another law enforcement agency?
Zorra opened so many eyes! Years of my soapboxing about appreciating wildlife could not hold a candle to Zorra’s impact. She charmed hundreds with her character and uncanny intelligence, and suddenly folks had a new attitude! “Live and let live” was what she taught. Not fear. People saw their backyard wildlife now as a living creature just trying to survive among us. No more calling a trapper or wildlife officer every time they saw a raccoon, opossum or skunk… And how many after meeting Zorra now wanted one of their own? Not a one of them, not ever. It can be done, it IS done. This is a contingency of wildlife enthusiasts that compliment conservation by renewing appreciation for the urban wildlife struggling to live among us.
Colorado is one of the very few states that block this, despite one even having a federal license! Simply because the raccoon is on the prohibited list. This also means NO sanctuary ever, not even for a seized special pet like Zorra, no exceptions. Not a big cat, not a 200lb chimpanzee... just a 20 lb affectionate, happy, healthy, intelligent creature who was loved… and will always be missed.
