Rascally Raccoon Refuge on its way to Oconee

From Crystal River, Florida to Oconee County will come the Rascally Raccoon Refuge, a wildlife rescue. The plans for Rascally Raccoon Refuge are confirmed to 101.7/WGOG NEWS in an interview with Sonia Bessiere.  The Bessieres have acquired about 88 acres on SC 130/the Stamp Creek Road – where a gun range operated on property now acquired by the Florida couple. Sonia Bessiere’s hope is to be open by late summer.  “We have found this fantastic land,” she told us.  To her, the property is enhanced by 900 adjoining acres whose, owner, she says, doesn’t want to develop it.  Bessiere’s heart is in wildlife and while, she spoke with us, someone brought in an opossum in need of care.  So much wildlife is killed on the roads, and others find themselves constantly on the move by prescribed burns.  Rascally Raccon’s proximity to Clemson University is another factor in the re-location, as the university has announced plans for a new veterinary school.  The wildlife refuge relies on donations and volunteers, as there’s no public money available, to care for wildlife harmed by hunters and dogs and cats.