Good morning friends.

We have a fascinating feature today. Say hello to Melanie Raccoon. As you know, we have been writing on all kinds of animals for years, but I have never in my life come across such an intelligent and sweet animal as Melanie Raccoon. I have to believe Melanie is one of the smartest animals on Earth, and certainly the smartest Raccoon. Kimberly Unger, originally from the US and now living in England, is Melanie’s human mom. Kimberly says, “Melanie is like a daughter to me because we have such a wonderful bond.” —  Just recently a documentary was filmed about Melanie and Kimberly, and will most likely be broadcast on Television.  Sammy & Family would love to see that.

Melanie Raccoon and human mom, Kimberly Unger chilling in the car together.  Photo credit goes to; http://vsitv.net

Kimberly is originally from Delaware, and moved to England 5 years ago. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Equine Science. Equine science is a specialization within animal science, which involves the study of reproduction, physiology, behavior and nutrition of horses. To say that Kimberly knows animals, is the understatement of the century.

Melanie can be very curious and inquisitive. She loves to explore and learn. 

Kimberly has done animal behavioral research with internationally renowned animal behaviorists. She has had animals all of her life, has worked with, and trained other animals, including horses, dogs, parrots, etc. Kimberly has ridden horses for over 20 years and used to compete in show jumping. Kimberly currently has 3 baby raccoon’s that she is training and socializing.

Despite Melanie being a domesticated house pet, she makes time to get in touch with nature.

There is a stigma about animals that know so many tricks and behaviors, that they are not really happy. Often people think of the circus when they see such a smart animal. I want to make the distinction in this feature, that a raccoon or most animals for that matter, if taken care of and loved, can be just as great as having a dog. The fact that an animal is so smart is not indicative of the animal’s state of happiness or unhappiness.  The treatment of the animal is.

The “Everybody Loves Sammy” community, which is comprised of animal lovers around the world, can say unequivocally that Melanie Raccoon is extremely loved, cared for and happily stimulated with all that she learns.

Melanie always make time for recreation. She’s smooth as a cucumber on her little Scooter.

OK, so lets find out who Melanie Raccoon is and what she’s all about. Melanie is four years old. Kimberly got her when she was 8 weeks old. Melanie is captive and hand raised. She knows over 100 behaviours. This little raccoon has the intelligence of a child. She’s almost human, but in critter form, so to speak.

Melanie Loves her Porridge. Look at that smile while she prepares for her next taste

It’s funny, people normally think of raccoons in the sense of the animals that knock over our garbage cans at night while we sleep. But all animals would do that in order to find food to survive, even domesticated dogs if they had to. Kimberly shows us that raccoons, if loved and taken care of, can be just as great as any other pet companion. You can also see Melanie on Instagram.

Auditions for Britain’s Got Talent 2013. Kimberly and Melanie were judged by David Walliams, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell.  Photo credit goes to ITV.com

Melanie Raccoon’s YouTube Channel – You can also just click on picture above to bounce to Melanie’s YouTube Chanel. Friends, this Channel is a must see. Melanie Raccoon can do things some people can’t even do. I truly have never see anything like this in my life. 

Melanie is very musically inclined, despite nibbling on the drumstick sometimes. 

Melanie is so smart that she does not need a GPS to know where she is going.  She can just look out the window and know exactly where she is.  You can find Melanie on FB also; Melanie Raccoon.

Melanie can be very preppy and academic.  Being from England she has learned to be very proper.

 

Information about Melanie and Kimberly

Visit Melanie and Kimberly at their upcoming website: www.melanieraccoon.co.uk  (the site is under construction, but please bookmark it for future reference).

• Melanie is four years old.
• She is captive bred and hand raised.
• I got her when she was 8 weeks old, and I have taught her over 100 behaviours.
• She loves people and other animals.
• She is used to traveling in trains, buses, cars, and boats.
• She loves to go for long walks and is used to traffic.
• Melanie is like a daughter to me because we have such a wonderful bond.
• Teaching her behaviors has strengthened this bond.
• I have 3 baby raccoon’s who I am training/socializing now
• I am from Delaware, in the USA, and moved to England 5 years ago.
• I have a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Equine Science.
• I have done animal behaviour research with internationally renown animal behaviourists.
• I have had animals all of my life and have worked with and trained other animals, including horses, dogs, parrots, etc.
• I have ridden horses for over 20 years and used to compete in show jumping.
• Besides Melanie, I have three baby raccoons, an Aru Island Eclectus parrot, an Indian ring neck parakeet, a red-whiskered bulbul bird, a Hovawart dog, and two rare rabbit breeds.

Melanie can be very Shakespearean; “To Swing, or not to swing, that is the question?” 

Fun Facts About Raccoons

• President Coolidge and his wife had a raccoon named Rebecca.

• The raccoon’s scientific name, Procyon lotor, means “washer dog” but it is a closer relative to the bear family.

• Raccoons rank higher than cats and just below monkeys on the mammal IQ scale.

• The word raccoon means “one who rubs, scrubs, and scratches with its hands”, and has been derived from the Proto-Algonquin language.

• Raccoons are highly intelligent and have a manual dexterity close to that of apes. Their long delicate fingers easily open clam shells, trash cans and doors.

• A raccoon can run at speeds up to 15 miles per hour.

• Racoons are omnivorous animals, and eat acorns, leaves, grasshoppers, crickets, worms, frogs, clams, turtles and their eggs, snakes, fish, and squirrels. In urban areas, they survive on garbage and are sometimes seen eating roadkill.

• Raccoons do not like tomatoes due to the high acidic content in them.

• Scientists say that raccoons can make over 51 different sounds! They purr, whistle, growl, hiss, scream and more.

• A raccoon’s hands are so nimble they can unlace a shoe, unlatch a cage and easily retrieve dimes from your shirt pocket.

• Raccoons can rotate their hind feet a full 180 degrees in order to climb down from trees head first.

Sammy & Family wants to thank Kimberly Unger for making the world a better place for animals. Through her love, care and knowledge about animals, Kimberly’s got the Magic touch.  She has literally dedicated her life to animals and sets the bar for the rest of us to follow.  Kimberly, we commend and salute you for all you’ve done for animals around the world.

On Facebook;  Melanie Raccoon

On Instagram; Melanie Raccoon

Story continues here; Unfortunately, there are numerous cases where orphaned raccoons have been cared for by loving people, only to have them confiscated by intimidating numbers of armed officers, and put to death. Kimberly hopes that she and Melanie will be able to help educate people, so this will not continue to happen. Here are some stories you can read. (Warning – they are hard to read):

The Government Took This Man’s Raccoon Away Because of a Viral Video
http://www.vice.com/read/the-government-took-this-mans-raccoon-because-of-a-viral-video

Tenn. agency rules with iron fist to end wildlife adoptions, some say (with video)
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2014/apr/06/out-of-the-wildthe-twra-takes-seriously-its-duty/136436/

Pets of ‘Raccoon Man’ euthanized on Friday
http://www.alligator.org/news/local/article_725104ee-a588-11e2-91b9-0019bb2963f4.html