A raccoon whose drunken antics in a Virginia liquor store captured global attention has now become an unlikely fundraising hero, with merchandise commemorating its escapade raising a staggering sum for a local animal shelter.
From Bathroom Bender to Viral Sensation
The story began on 29 November 2025 – Black Friday – in Ashland, Virginia. An employee at an ABC liquor store discovered an unexpected visitor: a raccoon, passed out in a bathroom stall. The path to the restroom was littered with shattered whiskey bottles, and the animal was clearly inebriated.
Officers from Hanover County Animal Protection were called. Animal protection officer Samantha Martin photographed the scene, an image that would soon rocket around the world. The raccoon was safely transported to the Hanover County animal shelter to sleep off its historic bender.
'Trashed Panda' Merchandise Drives Fundraising Frenzy
Seizing on the internet fame, the shelter partnered with Virginia-based custom apparel company Bonfire to create a line of commemorative merchandise. The items, featuring the slogan "Trashed Panda" and an image of a raccoon sprawled next to a spilled bottle, included t-shirts, sweatshirts, cups, and stickers.
The campaign was a phenomenal success. By late Monday following the incident, sales had raised more than $252,000 (over £200,000), with all proceeds directly supporting shelter animal care and enrichment programmes.
"While this raccoon gave us all a much-needed laugh, our officers handle hundreds of calls each year involving wildlife, stray animals, and emergencies," the shelter stated on the Bonfire site. "Your support helps us continue providing compassionate, professional service."
A 'Smart Little Critter' with a Rap Sheet
Further details emerged on the local government's Hear in Hanover podcast, where Officer Martin revealed this was not the raccoon's first offence. It had previously broken into a karate studio and a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office on the same business block.
"He’s a smart little critter," Martin joked, noting the animal had helped itself to snacks at the DMV. After sobering up from the liquor store incident, officials released the raccoon back into its familiar territory, as relocation would likely be a "death sentence."
"I think he’s living his best life," Martin added. "And why not? Have a drink or two, especially on Black Friday."
Global Fame and Urban Adaptation
The raccoon's story resonated worldwide, partly due to recent scientific studies highlighting how raccoons are remarkably adapting to urban life. Research suggests city-dwelling raccoons are showing signs of domestication, such as shorter snouts and smaller teeth, thriving on human refuse.
This particular Ashland raccoon has now secured its place in internet lore, transforming a moment of drunken mischief into a quarter-million-dollar windfall for animal welfare, proving that even the most unconventional stories can have a profoundly positive outcome.
