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Thompsonville couple rescues area animals

By Tara Fasol, The Southern

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 10:20 AM CDT

THOMPSONVILLE - Her name is Jezebel, and she is the farthest thing from vicious, according to Second Nature Wildlife Rehabilitation director Pam Sundeen, who laughed as the baby raccoon crawled atop her shoulders, kissing her face and nibbling on her ears Monday afternoon.

Recent reports by state officials have warned the public to beware of non-domesticated animals and domesticated animals that might carry the rabies virus, including raccoons.

Sundeen said rabies is not prominent in raccoons, and the misinforming releases are giving her furry friends a bad name.

Sundeen and her boyfriend, Eric Geiger, had such a passion for rescuing wildlife they left behind their Chicago lifestyle and moved to a remote portion of Franklin County where the only neighbors they have now are on four legs.

"It's hard to separate the heart from the mind sometimes," she said. "I've been known to cry."

Sundeen rescues all kinds of animals, including raccoons, coyotes, foxes, opossums and the occasional goose. She said there are a dozen other animals she has also taken in, but she is still waiting for her first bobcat catch.

"I haven't had one of those yet," she said. "Raccoons are our favorite."

Sundeen is licensed through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and gives homes to animals without one or those trying to make one in places where people aren't ready to welcome them.

"We are always telling people not to trap and relocate adults during baby season," she said. "You just end up with a lot of babies in your attic that are crying for their mama."

At the rehabilitation center, Sundeen is the mama, and her animals don't seem to notice a definite difference in their appearances.

"She just loves my hair clip," Sundeen laughed as the tiny raccoon played in her hair. "I'm their food source. I'm the mama."

Geiger said he and Sundeen have been operating the rehabilitation center for about 14 months, and he was surprised at how quickly the area welcomed their services.

"It took us about three years to find the right place down here," he said. "We get calls from the area animal controls. They have really appreciated our help."

The work of rescuing and rehabilitating injured, sick or parentless animals is not cheap. Sundeen said she has had all out-of-pocket costs so far but is hopeful she will soon be accepted for a not-for-profit status by the state, allowing her to apply for grant money.

As for now, she gets help from local grocery stores, which donate produce that no longer can be sold. She said she is still looking for local help to bring in more cages and other necessities to keep the place going.

"We just want to remind the public that they should keep their interactions with wildlife to a minimum," she said. "They will try and avoid you the best they can. We don't want to see anybody getting hurt. They just want to eat."

Sundeen said the early 1980s was the last time a raccoon tested positive for the rabies virus. She noted that skunks are the most prominent rabies carriers in the area.

tara.fasol@thesouthern.com / 351-5824