Raccoon Goes Viral After Getting Drunk and Passing Out, Raises $230,000 with One Photo

Animal Shelter Raises Funds Through Merchandise Campaign
Raccoon Causes Commotion After Breaking Through Ceiling Tiles
Found Lying Next to Toilet After Drinking Whiskey

At the end of last month, a raccoon found drunk at a liquor store in Virginia, United States, has been reborn as a hugely popular merchandise item.

According to USA Today, the Hanover County Animal Shelter in Virginia recently raised $156,000 (approximately 229.72 million won) through a merchandise campaign featuring an illustration of the so-called 'drunken raccoon.' Products featuring the raccoon include T-shirts, tumblers, and more.

At the end of last month, a drunken raccoon was found at an alcohol store in the United States. Hanover County Animal Shelter SNS

The 'drunken raccoon' incident occurred in the early morning hours of November 29 at a liquor store restroom in Ashland, Virginia. At the time, an employee discovered the raccoon collapsed on the restroom floor. Inside the store, the lower shelves displaying Scotch and whiskey had been overturned, and liquor was pooled all over the floor. Responding to the report, the Hanover County Animal Shelter determined that the raccoon had broken through the store’s ceiling tiles and caused a commotion inside.

Photos released by the animal shelter on social networking services show liquor bottles shattered across the store floor. There is also a photo of the raccoon lying drunk next to a toilet in the restroom. These images quickly spread online and gained worldwide popularity.

T-shirt made with the image of a 'drunken raccoon.' Social Networking Service (SNS)

In addition to merchandise sales, various events followed. The liquor store where the raccoon was found introduced three new cocktails inspired by the drunken raccoon. Since December 9, the city of Ashland has been hosting a 'Raccoon Hunt' event, where participants search for raccoon stickers hidden in local shops throughout the area.

The raccoon at the center of the drunken incident stayed at the animal shelter until it sobered up and then safely returned to the wild. The shelter stated, "The raccoon slept for several hours and then woke up," adding, "There were no signs of injury at all."