Update: We’ve heard from some other Ballard residents who have seen Jimothy around their homes. A reader named Amanda told us she believes he was born in 2023—she and her family call him Nubby. “He’s very sweet and harmless,” she said. Here are pics from when Jimothy was a young raccoon:
And another reader, Alex, sent us the below picture, saying, “He froze when I saw him while walking my dog, and I had the impression that he thought if he didn’t move, I wouldn’t be able to see him. Then he climbed up this tree and kept watching me.”
Original: He’s tiny. He moves a little funny. And he might be the most famous raccoon in the world right now.
Meet Jimothy.
Kiana Hall spotted Jimothy when she was near the Ballard Goodwill on July 14. She captured a short video, and Jimothy quickly rocketed around the internet.
(Why Jimothy? Because Hall said he looked like a Jimothy, of course.)
Jimothy has what’s called a short-spine syndrome. It can also affect dogs, but is somewhat less common in raccoons.
Hall said she thought Jimothy was a cat when she first saw him.
As for Jimothy’s fame, she told My Ballard that she’s glad he’s made so many people happy. “I hope he stays safe wherever he is,” she said.
Another Jimothy sighting popped up on Reddit, where a porch camera caught him poking around.
Jimothy on our balcony
by u/tennisn00btc in Seattle
If you’ve seen Jimothy, let us know at tips@myballard.com.