It is an unfortunate reality that animals become involved in road accidents every day, with many cases ending in tragedy. Millions of animals worldwide, particularly in North America and Europe, lose their lives in road accidents each year. Although various regions have taken measures to prevent these incidents, it is impossible to eliminate them entirely.
Among the most frequently impacted animals in North America are raccoons. In 2019, a kind-hearted individual named Eric spotted a baby raccoon in distress after its mother had died in a road accident. Eric cared for the raccoon until he brought it to the owner of Tito the Raccoon, a YouTube channel. The baby raccoon, who was named Cheeto, received the necessary care to recover and was adopted. He now resides with his older raccoon brother Tito and is thriving.
Native to North America, raccoons are highly adaptable animals that can thrive in various environments, including urban areas, rather than remaining exclusively in mixed forests and similar habitats. In cities, it’s not unusual for individuals to spot raccoons scavenging through trash or darting across roads. Regrettably, such activities can place them in perilous situations, increasing their risk of becoming roadkill if they aren’t cautious enough.
A fortuitous event occurred for a young raccoon after its mother met with a tragic end.
Spotting raccoons on the side of the road after being hit by cars is a common sight. However, one day, a man named Eric noticed some movement on the roadside and felt compelled to take action. He was saddened to see a baby raccoon that had been left motherless and decided to bring it home to provide the care it needed.
After taking care of the baby raccoon for a week, Eric decided to take him to Mitchell, the owner of the YouTube channel Tito the Raccoon, who already owned a full-grown raccoon named Tito. Mitchell agreed to take care of the baby raccoon, but to prevent Tito from catching anything from the new arrival, he kept the baby in quarantine in a cardboard box. In a video description, Mitchell stated, “They won’t have any contact until he is vet-approved.”
Upon settling the baby raccoon into his new home, Mitchell made a quick trip to the grocery store to gather all the essential items for his new furry friend. He picked up items such as a pet bed, feeding syringe, food bowls, milk, baby bottles, and potty pads, as well as an adorable stuffed raccoon that resembles the baby raccoon. Once back home, Mitchell set everything up for the little raccoon to rest and made him a bottle of milk to nourish him.
Mitchell eventually decided to take the baby raccoon under his care and named him Cheeto. Cheeto and Tito have since become good friends and are often featured on Mitchell’s YouTube channel. One particularly endearing video has amassed over 7.5 million views, and many people expressed their gratitude to Mitchell for providing a safe and healthy environment for the young raccoon. Cheeto even celebrated his first birthday in June 2020.