Homeowners who have live-trapped raccoons have several choices. By law, raccoons in Illinois must either be: 1) released on the same property within 100 yards of where the animal was captured, 2) surrendered to a licensed veterinarian who is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, or 3) humanely euthanized. The IDNR biologist issuing the permit will determine the appropriate outcome for each case.
In your case, you hired a NWCO to trap the animal for you. Many NWCOs humanely euthanize the animals that they trap. There are a few reasons for this: First, if the animal is relocated to another urban area then someone else is going to inherit your problem. Second, handling and transporting a wild animal can be dangerous. Third, any diseases or pests that the relocated animal carries have the potential to spread to the new local population which puts other animals, and potentially people, at risk. Finally, the reality is that many relocated animals do not survive. The new location to which the animal is moved will already have a population of animals using the resources (food, water, and shelter) of the area. Relocated animals often travel long distances trying to find a new place to establish a territory. During this time they are more vulnerable to predators and increase their risk of being struck and killed by vehicles.
