Ottawa firefighters rescue baby racoon from pool drainpipe

CTV News

15-06-2025

A baby racoon will be rehomed after being rescued from a pool's drainpipe in Cumberland earlier this week.
Fire crews were called to a home off Lookout Road at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, firefighter Grace Neilson of station 72 told CTV News over the phone Sunday.
Upon arrival, firefighters could hear a whimpering sound coming from a drainpipe next to the pool in the backyard. Inside the pipe, crews could see two baby racoons were stuck.
Firefighters, along with animal rescue crews, began the rescue. Using poles and lacrosse sticks, they were able to get two animals out of the drainpipe.
'We had to pull out our pike poless because the vent pipe was so deep,' Neilson said. 'The poor racoon was so tired from being in there.'
Racoon rescue
Firefighters using poles and lacrosse sticks to pull two racoons from a pool drain pipe. (Ottawa Fire Services/X)
Unfortunately, the other baby racoon had died, Neilson said.
The surviving animal was rescued after about 10 to 15 minutes of trying to pull it from the drain.
'We had to drag it up by its butt and then hook it out and grab it,' she said. 'It was such an experience.'
Neilson believes the two racoons were likely inside the pipe overnight. The animal rescue company at the scene told firefighters they believe the two animals became lost from their mother and were likely trying to find a place to sleep.
Animal rescue crews encourage homeowners with pools to purchase a strainer or mesh-like guard around open pipes and drains to prevent small animals from falling through.
The racoon was taken to a local rehabilitation centre to recover before being rehomed.