Saving and rehabilitating young wild animals takes a village, and at Austin Wildlife Rescue (AWR), that village shows up in big ways. Every donation, from dog food to cleaning supplies, helps the team give orphaned babies a second chance.
But while the staff is grateful for every single contribution, there’s one item that makes everyone, rescuers and raccoons alike, especially excited: old jeans.
Austin Wildlife Rescue
Some donations that AWR regularly receives, such as dry dog food, are vital in keeping AWR’s residents healthy and full. The staff also appreciates every roll of paper towel, box of gloves and plastic bin that comes in to aid in their cleaning efforts.
But there’s nothing more exciting than when a community member drops off a pile of used jeans, which immediately get turned into hammocks for all the little ones.
“That denim hammock life is elite-level animal comfort,” AWR wrote on Facebook. “We use donated jeans to create hammocks for our raccoons, squirrels and opossums.”
It may seem unconventional to see a raccoon hanging out in a pair of old jeans. But for the folks at AWR, it’s not a strange sight at all. In fact, it makes perfect sense as to why the raccoons, squirrels and opossums love them so much.
“Fabric actually helps mimic a natural den for them,” AWR wrote. “They provide warmth, soft support, and a sense of security for our animals …”
Just like with bags of dog food, the more jean donations that AWR receives, the happier everyone is. After the staff members tie the pants’ legs shut, they secure the jeans to the enclosure wall with carabiners. Then, they let the little curious residents jump in as they please.
And it’s usually more than one animal at a time.
“When we ask for your old jeans, this is the result!” AWR wrote on Facebook. “There are at least 4 raccoons in this pair, and the one on top isn’t the one hanging out the bottom.”
While there are a ton of other fabrics out there to choose from, denim seems to be the best fit for the little critters in rehabilitation.
“[The] durable, strong fabric holds up to tiny paws and claws without snagging on their nails,” AWR wrote, “[and] allows airflow while still providing warmth.”
At AWR, every donation plays a role in getting these babies back where they belong. And surprisingly, old denim has become just as important as kibble and cleaning spray in preparing them for life on their own.
But beyond the practicality, there’s something undeniably magical about it. Seeing a rescued raccoon curled up in a pair of well-loved jeans is a sweet reminder of what community care looks like.
“When you give a raccoon a pair of jeans, you can’t help but smile!” AWR wrote on Facebook.
To help orphaned wildlife get the care they need, you can donate to Austin Wildife Rescue here.
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