Okay I live in an apartment on the second floor. When I got home from work tonight I noticed something moving on the balcony -- a raccoon. I can't tell if it's still there. I was on my way out to the gym when I noticed it. There's a table and chairs out there covered by a tarp, plus two plastic plastic patio storage containers. So it could be under/behind something.

I called the local animal welfare league which is the only animal control entity here. They said I have to go out onto the balcony to see if the raccoon is still there. I do not want to go out there. I have enough problems right now without adding "raccoon bite and rabies test" to the list.

So, what do I need to know about raccoons? Can they climb down metal poles? Because that or jumping is the only way down. Is this thing a danger to the dogs that live downstairs and next door if it ends up jumping/climbing down into their fenced-in patios? One of the dogs is a corgi. The other two are some type of hound. (One of the hounds barks at EVERYTHING yet somehow was not barking at the stupid raccoon.)

I'm so tired right now, I need to eat dinner and go to bed. I cannot afford to miss work tomorrow if I have to wait for someone to come to remove this thing.

p.s. There's no food or trash on the balcony.