Melina's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

As some of you know besides my wildlife rehabilitation facility I have a cat rescue organization for over 20 years. Although in the last 5 years it's been on hold I still do what I can to save cats and this has been the case with Chino.
I learned about him last week when I was talking to the colony feeder .pawss I offered to help but since I had some other emergencies this past couple of days I wasn't able to trap until Wednesday late afternoon.
At first glance he looked in pretty bad shape, dehydrated, really skinny and panting heavily so I was suspecting FIV /FeLV.
I rushed him to the emergency vet last night but we were afraid he may not resist sedation based on his current condition so I took him home and today I brought him to my veterinarian, Dr. Aballi who is not only the medical director of my cat rescue organization but also the one for my wildlife rehabilitation facility.
Since he was calmer than last night, we didn't need to sedate him, I was able to scruff him and run the FIV/FeLV test.
Those were the longest 10 minutes waiting but the results brought happy tears to my eyes 👀
His hand was taken care of and he is in my house resting and receiving the medical care he needs, he is on antibiotics, SQ fluids and laser treatment for his hand.
My deepest gratitude to Dr. Aballi, Margarita, Marthica and Jenny for always being there for me 🤗

Please join me in wishing our sweet and beautiful Piper a Happy 1st Birthday 🎂🎊

I asked Chat gpt to create a picture for Mother's Day and created this one with not only 1 raccoon but 2 😞 I was in shock 😮 I couldn't believe it and brought tears to my eyes thinking about my son Maverick, he might be gone but he always lives in my heart.

Happy Mother's Day everyone.

Saving $$$ on baby food 😉 I cooked pumpkin, carrots and sweet potatoes and now I have 2 big containers as part of the power mush I prepare for the baby opossums 🤗
Is 10pm and I am leaving the center now exhausted but happy 😊

The first video is from October 30th, 2025 when this little baby raccoon arrived at the center with a very bad case of mange. BC and Crystal were witnesses of the condition in which he came in but with a lot of TLC I was able to bring him back to health and release him today in one of my approved locations.
My deepest gratitude to Tonya and Samantha for all your help and support 🙏🤗 I am blessed 🙏🤗