For over 20 years, Jim Thebarge and his family in Connecticut have been quietly caring for the local feral cats — providing food, water, and even heated beds during the coldest winter nights. Their kindness has earned them a reputation among the neighborhood’s four-legged residents, and not just the cats.
“We have heated food and water bowls on our back porch so the cats have warm food and water sources in below-freezing weather,” Thebarge told The Dodo. “We also have five heated pet beds in our garage in case one of them needs shelter on frigid or snowy nights.”
One evening, a very unexpected — and rather unusual — visitor showed up at their door. At first glance, they couldn’t even tell what it was. All they could see was an animal with a large plastic jar stuck over its head.
“We believe he came knowing we would help him,” Thebarge said.
Once the family got a better look, they realized it was a hungry, disoriented raccoon. He tried in vain to eat and drink from the bowls on the porch, the jar making it impossible. The situation was urgent — without help, the raccoon wouldn’t survive.
The family reached out to several wildlife organizations, but the raccoon, terrified of people, would dart away whenever someone approached. Eventually, Thebarge connected with local wildlife rehabilitators, who came by to set a humane trap.
After they left, Thebarge decided to try one more thing.
“I tied a rope to the back porch door and ran the end out into the backyard,” he explained. “Within 30 minutes, the raccoon came back to the food bowl, desperate to eat and drink. I was able to pull the door shut with the rope, trapping him safely on the porch.”
Rescuers returned quickly, carefully cutting the jar free. They checked him over, then watched as he dashed into the woods, finally free — and probably breathing the cleanest air he’d had in days.
Two weeks later, the raccoon came back. This time, there was no jar — just a curious, healthy animal stopping by to visit his new friends. Now, he makes regular visits for food, water, and a bit of compassion from the people who saved his life.
