Meet Rockette, the adorable baby raccoon who became dependent on a human ‘mum’ and now lives in her adopted family’s back yard.
Katie Fuscaldo, 40, took in Rockette after a family friend found her abandoned at just one week old.
She bottle fed the little kit, made her a den, bathed her and had her vaccinated and Rockette is now a full member of the family.
Katie nursed Rockette back to health and released her into the wild, but she didn’t go far and now lives in a tree barely ten yards from their back door.
Now six-months-old, Rockette visits her ‘mum’ and family daily and her shenanigans have been shared on social media for all the world to enjoy.
Childcare provider Katie, from Pennsylvania, USA, said: “We received Rockette from a friend of ours who found her on her property alone.
“We never intended to keep her as a pet. My main goal was to get her stronger and learn skills so that she could successfully go back to the wild. She grew so fast and bonded with our family.
“I was able to get her vaccinated, so I felt comfortable allowing her to interact and play with my kids and our other pets. She would follow us around on walks and climb trees and play with toys.
“She wrestled and played with our dogs which taught her great skills. My favourite thing to do with her was bottle feeding and putting her to sleep. She would cuddle up on me and suckle on my fingers as she went to sleep.
“She is a wild animal and deserved to be in the wild. When she finally decided to leave the porch and stay out by herself, it was sad at first, until I realised she had moved 10 yards away into a tree in our backyard.
“It was the best of both worlds. She had her freedom but chose to stay close and come back to visit!
“We have a beautiful relationship! She was dependent on me as her mother. It was wonderful to have this unique opportunity to raise and care for such a beautiful creature.
“I never realised how smart and sweet raccoons are until I met rockette. They are remarkable creatures. She needed help and I’m so honoured I had the chance to help her grow and have a chance to live her life.”