A Safe Home for the Wild Ones
Help us build a protected sanctuary for rescued raccoons and raccoon dogs.
At Pegasus, we care not only for horses, goats, sheep, llamas, cows, dogs, and cats. Under our wings, there are also the wild ones – raccoons and raccoon dogs who found themselves in a very difficult situation because of humans.
They are intelligent, curious, full of life and incredibly resourceful.
They are also wild animals.
They are not pets.
They are not mascots.
They are not attractions.
And yet, they still deserve safety.
During the festival, our main goal is to raise funds to build them a new, secure and enriching home — a protected enclosure where they can climb, hide, explore, rest, wash their food, dig, play and live with as much dignity and freedom as possible.
Why do they need a sanctuary?
Raccoons and raccoon dogs are classified in Poland and the European Union as invasive alien species. This means they are not native to our ecosystem and, if released into the wild, may create risks for native wildlife and the environment.
But this story did not begin with them.
Raccoons were brought to Europe by humans – among other reasons, for fur farming, breeding and as exotic animals. Raccoon dogs, native to parts of Asia, were also introduced to Europe, mainly because of the fur industry.
Over time, some escaped. Some were released. Some were kept illegally as pets until people realized that a wild animal is not a toy.
Today, when animals like them cannot return safely to nature, their future is extremely limited. In practice, they need one thing above all:
a legal, secure and responsible sanctuary.
That is what we want to give them.
Meet the wild residents of Pegasus
Our raccoons and raccoon dogs came to us from difficult situations.
Some were orphaned babies who looked for help from humans. Some were taken in from rescue organisations that saved them from being killed. Some had histories connected to fur farms, illegal keeping or places where they were treated as attractions instead of wild beings.
Edi, one of our raccoon dogs, was most likely found after escaping from a fur farm. His body carried wounds from pellets. He is still recovering and remains deeply afraid of people.
Yoko came from a mini-zoo environment, where it turned out that he was not a friendly little “dog-like” attraction for children, but a wild animal with teeth, boundaries and needs.
The raccoons — clever, hungry, fast and endlessly curious — have their own stories too. Some were once tiny babies fed by bottle. Today, they need a space built for the animals they truly are.
We cannot change where their stories began.
But together, we can change what happens next.
Why a special enclosure is so important
Raccoons are masters of escape.
They have five fingers on each paw and can use them with extraordinary precision. They can open containers, search pockets, steal phones, hats or keys, unlock things, climb fences, squeeze through gaps and find food almost anywhere.
A moment of inattention is enough.
That is why their home must be designed with special care. A safe raccoon enclosure is not just “a cage”. It must be a protected, enriched and secure living space made for animals who are intelligent, active and very strong.
To keep them safe, we need to build:
- deep foundations, so clever paws cannot dig their way out,
- strong, specialised mesh from the ground up to the roof,
- a secure double-door entrance system,
- protected areas for resting and hiding,
- climbing structures, branches, tunnels, platforms and hammocks,
- enrichment boards, puzzles and food-hiding spots,
- a water area where they can wash, explore and use their sensitive paws,
- enough space for movement, curiosity and a life with dignity.
They need a home that understands who they are.
Clever paws, curious minds
Raccoons are famous for “washing” their food. It may look funny, but this behaviour is connected to their extraordinary sense of touch. When their paws are wet, they become even more sensitive, allowing raccoons to examine food with incredible precision.
They are also highly intelligent problem-solvers. They remember solutions, learn quickly and constantly look for stimulation.
Without enrichment, they get bored.
And a bored raccoon will always invent something.
This is why their daily life must include challenges: hidden food, sensory boards, climbing, digging, swinging, searching, opening, exploring and choosing.
A proper enclosure is not only a safe space.
It is a world built for their minds.
Their diet needs care too
Raccoons are omnivores. They can eat fruit, vegetables, insects, fish, eggs, high-quality animal protein and many other things. But the idea that “a raccoon eats everything” can be dangerous.
Because they are always hungry and extremely food-motivated, it is easy to overfeed them or give them food that harms them.
Their diet must be varied, balanced and adapted to the season. In autumn, for example, they naturally need more energy as they build fat reserves for winter. They also need carefully selected ingredients, limited sugar and fat, and food hidden in different places to encourage natural foraging behaviour.
In nature, insects make up an important part of their diet. That is why we pay special attention to high-quality insect-based food and carefully planned meals.
What must never reach their paws?
Processed food, sweets, chocolate, bread, sugary drinks, raisins, avocado, onion, garlic, chives, coffee and many other products that can be dangerous or toxic.
At Pegasus, we are working with caretakers, experts and veterinarians to keep improving their diet — so they can live long, healthy and safe lives under our care.
What we are building
We are building A Safe Home for the Wild Ones – a large, secure, and enriched enclosure for rescued raccoons and raccoon dogs.
A place where they can:
climb,
hide,
dig,
wash,
rest,
explore,
play,
search for food,
and simply be wild – safely.
This home will help us provide better care, better welfare, and more space for animals who cannot return to nature, but still deserve a life worth living.
Your donation becomes part of their home
Every one-time donation made during the festival goes into one shared goal:
building a safe home for the wild ones.
Your support helps fund the materials, structure, safety systems and enrichment they need — from foundations and secure mesh to climbing areas, hiding places, water features, tunnels, hammocks and feeding puzzles.
You are not just making a donation.
You are helping build the place where they will wake up, eat, climb, play, hide, rest and live.
You came for the music.
You can leave a home behind.
RAISED SO FAR: 60 EUR
