Sick Raccoons: If it’s Not Rabies, it’s Probably Distemper

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Since raccoons are nocturnal, spotting one out during the day might instantly lead you to believe that it is sick with the Rabies virus. But more often than not, what may initially appear as Rabies is actually another type of viral disease called Canine Distemper. Continue reading to learn how to identify signs of Distemper in raccoons, and what you should do if you ever come across a sick raccoon during the daytime.

Raccoon Distemper

Raccoon Distemper is a highly infectious viral disease that is similar to the measles virus. It’s commonly found in wild raccoons and other nuisance wildlife as well. If you own a cat or dog, then you may be familiar with the Canine Distemper vaccine. This is a common vaccination given to pets every year to boost their immunity to the Distemper virus in case they ever come in contact with it some way or another.

It is spread just like a common cold, by airborne droplets of bodily fluid or discharges (i.e. sneeze, cough, spit, mucus, saliva, blood, feces, etc.). This virus can cause partial paralysis, violent seizures, fevers, vomiting, and more, and can affect both humans and pets. Without vaccinations, pets are unlikely to survive the virus, whereas, humans can be treated and cured. It is strongly suggested to have your pets vaccinated against Rabies, Distemper, Lyme, Leptospirosis, and more. Consider your veterinarian’s advice in terms of annual pet vaccines.

Distemper in Raccoons

If you spot a raccoon out during the day, alone and behaving oddly, then it is very likely that it is sick. Many symptoms of sickness fall into several of the same categories, so what sometimes seems like one illness is actually another. But in terms of Distemper, a raccoon that has been infected with the virus may display the following signs:

• Wet Eyes
• Runny Nose
• Lethargy/Fatigue
• Aggression
• Lack of Ability to Stand or Walk
• Loss of Appetite
• Inactivity
• Confusion
• Diarrhea
• And More

Spotting a Raccoon Nearby

If you happen to come across a raccoon during the day, whether they appear to exhibit signs of sickness or not, always keep your distance and never taunt them. Just because a raccoon is out during the day does not always mean there is something wrong with their health; they may just be lost from their mother, or foraging for food a bit early.

So regardless if a raccoon is sick or not, never attempt to approach or touch a wild raccoon. Instead, turn around and go the other way, or simply wait for the raccoon to wander off. If the raccoon appears sick and is on public property, there is no way to tell if it will move from that spot or not. In this case, as a Good Samaritan, it is polite to notify a raccoon removal company to pick up the sick raccoon so that it cannot indirectly harm another person, child, or pet.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional raccoon removal services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We are highly trained and DNR licensed wildlife control contractors with decades of experience providing safe and humane raccoon exclusion services for residential and commercial properties. We offer raccoon removal, raccoon cleanup, minor attic restorations for raccoon damages, raccoon proofing, and much more. Call 317-535-4605 today for Indianapolis raccoon removal and control you can trust!

Can I Shoot a Raccoon in My Yard?

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Nuisance raccoons are certainly pesky little critters to deal with, especially if they are doing loads of damage and destruction to your property every night. For this reason, it is understandable why many wildlife contractors face the question of whether or not a homeowner can hunt or shoot raccoons on their personal property. Professionals in the industry know that raccoon problems are frustrating and even scary for most, so the inquiry is not an alarming one. But there are a few things to know in regards to shooting raccoons in Indiana, and anywhere else in the country, before reaching for your rifle. Continue reading to learn the answer to this common question, and what to do when raccoons are causing problems on your property.

Killing Raccoons

The answer is somewhat complicated, since several counties and states have different laws surrounding animal hunting or killing. Many states require a permit for hunting, while others do not even allow the discharge of a firearm. For example, the state of Illinois allows the possession of a personal firearm, but discharging the firearm is illegal, making the shooting of an animal illegal. But in other areas, like Jefferson County, Missouri, a person is allowed to discharge their firearm as long as it is on their own property and for the sole purpose of defending their property. So if a raccoon is trespassing on a Jefferson County property every night, a homeowner can legally wait outside and shoot the raccoon on sight. In all states that allow the killing of a nuisance wild animal, there are laws prohibiting animal abuse. So although a homeowner can shoot or euthanize a wild animal on their property, they cannot torture or abuse the animal in anyway. It must be carried out in a legal and humane manner.

Whether your state allows it or not, the primary problem with shooting wild raccoons is the inhumanity factor. It is not humane to kill a raccoon simply because it is on your property and causing a mess. It is not their fault that over-development has forced them into urban areas. They are only mammals looking to survive anyway they can; and they happen to also be naturally very curious. Raccoons should never be harmed or killed under any circumstances, unless carried out by the proper authorities for good reason. The second, and equally important reason why killing raccoons is a bad idea is that it will not solve a raccoon problem. Killing one or two raccoons will do nothing to fix the issue.

The only way to stop raccoons from coming to your property is to eliminate the reasons why they are coming in the first place. All of the things that attract raccoons, like pet food and garbage, should be removed from outside. The home should be properly sealed to prevent prying paws from entering interior and exterior areas of the house. This includes roofs, soffits, windows, and doors. By removing all food and water sources, and protecting your home from animal entry, you can thwart raccoon activity in as little as a few weeks. If you do this and continue to have problems, contact a local wildlife removal and control company for non-lethal raccoon exclusion services. Keep in mind that there are legal repercussions for those who choose to neglect firearm and animal hunting laws in Indiana. So put that rifle away and call a raccoon removal service instead!

Raccoon Removal Indianapolis

Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional raccoon removal in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and insured wildlife control contractors with decades of experience in the industry. We only use safe and humane methods to remove raccoons and relocate them to a safe habitat. Whether for commercial or residential properties, our highly trained contractors have everything they need to fix the issue in a time-frame that’s convenient for you. And at the most competitive prices in town, you can rest assure you are getting the best deal at the highest value. Call 317-535-4605 to get rid of raccoons in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

Learning About Leptospirosis

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Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira, and can affect a wide variety of mammals, but it tends to be most commonly associated with raccoons in the Midwest parts of the country. Raccoons, like all other mammals, are susceptible to several types of disease, including Rabies, Roundworm, and more. Leptospirosis is commonly contracted and passed on by raccoons, bats, and opossum in urban areas. It is a dangerous illnesses that can be contracted by both humans and pets.

What You Should Know About Leptospirosis

There are nearly 200 cases of Leptospirosis reported every year in the United States. It is mostly contracted through water contaminated by an infected mammal’s urine. It is not spread from person to person, and instead, often happens during swimming, fishing, canoeing, and other water-related activities. The infected water must be ingested, or passed through exposed membranes or open wounds in the skin. This includes the eyes, nose, mouth, scrapes, cuts, scabs, and ears. Once contracted, it is common for humans to not experience illness or symptoms at all, while in other cases, people become very sick. This also applies to domesticated animals. It is vital to get immediate medical care for antibiotics to avoid long-term effects and consequences if you suspect you were exposed to Leptospirosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms can sometimes not show up at all, but if they do, it generally takes anywhere from one to two weeks before symptoms show. Common symptoms include high fever, neck and leg pains, severe headaches, vomiting or diarrhea, and fatigue. For more serious cases of Leptospirosis, signs might also include anemia, Meningitis, kidney failure, liver failure, mental confusions, depression, and more.

The symptoms of Leptospirosis can last for several days, or up to several weeks, depending on the severity of the illness. But mostly, human reports of Leptospirosis illness in the United States are all mild cases. People at higher risks of contracting Leptospirosis include sewer workers, farmers, rice and sugar cane workers, adventure racing athletes, veterinarians, miners, slaughterhouse workers, and animal control contractors. Dogs are at higher risk of dying from Leptospirosis, so take them to the vet as soon as they show influenza-like symptoms.

Indiana Raccoon Removal

Call Indiana Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 to professionally manage a raccoon problem near your home or office. We are highly experienced, DNR licensed wildlife rescue contractors that provide wide range of services for raccoon control. This include minor attic restorations and repairs, and raccoon cleanup. And we only use safe and humane, non-lethal methods of raccoon control! Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional raccoon removal and control in Indianapolis, IN today.

Do Raccoon Control Companies Repair Animal Damages in Attics?

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When raccoons invade residential properties, they usually prefer to inhabit dark areas like attics and crawl spaces. When these critters use a home to take cover from the winter weather, it can easily go unnoticed for months. When this occurs, structural damage to the inhabited area does as well. Continue reading to learn what a raccoon removal company can do for those structural damages, and why their services are so valued.

Raccoon Damages

Raccoons are burrowers, nesters, breeders, and feeders. All this combined activity is a huge contribution to the mess they are capable of creating. The debris and garbage left over from feedings accumulates along with their urine and droppings. Also, raccoons have long claws that they sharpen against walls and drywall. All of this behavior causes a great amount of damage to a property. The buildup of droppings will saturate the drywall and cause weakness and holes in the structure.

Also, the smell will eventually seep into the living spaces of the home, causing a very undesirable and noticeable odor. Electric wiring can be chewed through, and insulation can be ripped down and used as nesting. There are endless ways a raccoon can destroy a home. This type of destruction can be overwhelming, and many homeowners are unsure where to begin the cleaning and repairing process. This is where a professional raccoon control company comes in handy.

Raccoon Clean Up and Repair

A licensed and insured raccoon removal company is highly trained and experienced to cover all aspects of getting rid of raccoons, including structural repair and clean up. Not only will a reputable raccoon control company remove raccoons from your property, they will fix and repair all structural damages incurred during the infestation. They retain all the latest technologies and state-of-the-art equipment to replace, repair, and clean up damages caused by wild raccoons. They will facilitate odor removal, drywall replacement, and more. Be sure to go with a reputable company that is DNR licensed with over ten years of experience. This will ensure you are getting quality work at a reasonable price. They can even work with your home owners’ insurance!

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal

Call Indianapolis Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 for raccoon damage repair and attic restoration. We are DNR licensed and insured, with over two decades of experience in the raccoon control industry. We replace attic insulation, clean up raccoon mess, remove existing raccoons, offer preventative maintenance services, and more. Call 317-535-4605 if you have raccoons in the attic in Indianapolis, IN today.

The Fascinating Agility of the Common Raccoon

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The Common Raccoon is a fascinating mammal to learn about all around, but their quickness and dexterity are especially intriguing. Wild raccoons have human-like paws that allows them to grasp, pull, push, and pry just like our hands! On top of dexterous paws and sharp claws, raccoons are highly intelligent creatures that can remember, solve problems, and plan better than most other forest animals.

These attributes and more contribute to a raccoon’s agility and allows them to be better predators, breeders, and gatherers, and to better protect themselves and their young from harm. Continue reading to learn about raccoon agility, and what they are physically capable of in the wild.

Raccoon Behavior

Raccoons are highly agile mammals, capable of running, climbing, and even swimming, starting at a young age. As early as a few months old, raccoon babies, called “kits” or “pups”, are learning all of these abilities and more from their mother. Soon after, they are ready to be out on their own, climbing and swimming and running and hunting with the rest of the pack!

Raccoons are fairly fast runners for a medium-sized forest mammal. They can achieve short distance running sprint speeds of ten to fifteen miles per hour. That’s faster than some overweight house cats! And because raccoon’s hind legs are longer than their front, they appear hunched whether walking or running.

Running is not the raccoon’s most impressive ability. Truth be told, they are excellent climbers. Raccoons use trees for protection when raising their young, to hide from grounded predators, and to dine on all the wonderful yields a tree has to offer (i.e. acorns, fruits, nuts, etc.). Raccoons can climb trees as high as 50 feet or more, with really no limit in height, only in desire!

Aside from running and swimming, raccoons are good swimmers too. Yes they can swim, and at a very young age (as young as 7 weeks old)! Not only can raccoons swim, they can remain in water for several hours, but not underwater of course. Raccoons are warm-blooded mammals that need oxygen to breathe!

If you have a raccoon problem on your property, call a professional wildlife rescue and control company for safe and humane raccoon removal services. Raccoons are known to climb roofs, access homes, get into swimming pools, and cause an endless potential for mess and structural damage.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 317-535-4605 for safe and humane, non-lethal raccoon removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and experienced wildlife removal contractors that provide residential and commercial wildlife control services at the most competitive prices in town. We will get rid of raccoons at a fair and honest price, and with a level of professionalism that will leave you satisfied. Call 317-535-4605 for Indianapolis raccoon removal and control you can count on!

Is Domesticating a Baby Raccoon a Bad Idea?

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A baby raccoon is called a kit. They are small, cute, and furry, but this does not mean they are meant for domestication. A kit is still a wild animal. Although domestication may seem easy because they are so young, raccoons are not the same as dogs and cats, which took thousands of years to achieve healthy domestication with. It is not in their genes to be trained and sheltered.

If you still decide to domesticate a baby raccoon, be sure to consult a raccoon professional and learn the proper way to care for a wild raccoon and what to expect as they grow older and more agile. Otherwise, read on to learn more about the disadvantages of domesticating a raccoon kit.

Destruction of Property

Raccoons are interesting because they are such motivated and curious creatures. This can lead to trouble. At a certain age, raccoons begin to explore their curious urges. Raccoons like to dig, and in a house, a sofa or mattress would make the perfect burrowing spot. They are skilled climbers and have very dexterous paws, giving them the ability to open cabinets, drawers, refrigerators, and more. They can find things and hide them, or burry them in another hole they’ve dug. Raccoons must be un-caged to live healthy lives, and must be able to roam free. This means a raccoon would need constant supervision to prevent these situations from happening.

Health Consequences

Raccoons are carriers of many diseases commonly found in wild animals. Illnesses such as rabies, distemper, canine hepatitis, and round worm can be spread to other pets and even humans living among the raccoon. Raccoons also have very dense fur which can be a huge allergy catalyst for anyone who suffers from sinus and allergy issues or asthma.

The Law

The first thing to really consider when in adopting a baby raccoon is the law. In most states, it is illegal to own a raccoon. If caught, a person can lose their pet ownership rights altogether, and be subjected to many hefty fines. In other states, it is legal to own a raccoon, but this type of pet ownership requires an exotic pet license. You will have to look up your local city council ordinances to find out about these laws.

Raccoon Removal Indianapolis

Call Raccoon Removal Indianapolis at 317-535-4605 for professional raccoon control and rescue services. We are DNR licensed raccoon control contractors with decades of experience in the wildlife rescue and control industry. We offer a wide range of raccoon control services, including raccoon removal, raccoon-proofing, raccoon cleanup, minor attic restorations, and more. Call us today at 317-535-4605 to get rid of raccoons in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

Raccoon Removal Indianapolis Provides DNR Licensed and Insured Raccoon Control!

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Raccoon Removal Indianapolis is your solution to pesky nuisance raccoon problems! We are DNR (Department of Natural Resources) licensed and insured, with more than three decades of experience in the raccoon control industry. So you know are getting professional and effective service you can trust!

A+ accredited Better Business Bureau (BBB) members

Since 1993, we have been an A+ accredited Better Business Bureau (BBB) members by providing honest, humane, and best of all, affordable raccoon removal and control services for residential and commercial property owners throughout Indiana. When you have a nuisance raccoon issue on your property, call Raccoon Removal Indianapolis at 317-535-4605 right away.

When you call our office, you can expect a friendly greeting, prompt and punctual arrival times, a neatly dressed and licensed contractor, and an abundance of free information regarding raccoon preventative maintenance and precautions. We retain the latest technologies and state-of-the-art equipment, as well as, a plethora of resources at our disposal, to provide safe, efficient, and humane raccoon removal and control services. Our DNR licensed raccoon control contractors never hurt or kill wild raccoons. We only use safe methods to extract raccoons and relocate them to a faraway safe habitat where they can thrive for years to come.

Call Raccoon Removal Indianapolis Today!

Call Raccoon Removal Indianapolis at 317-535-4605 for more information about getting rid of raccoons, or raccoons in the attic, and see for yourself just how incredibly affordable our services can be! We offer raccoon removal, raccoon-proofing, raccoon cleanup, raccoon extraction, preventative maintenance, minor attic restorations, and much more! Call 317-535-4605 and speak with a friendly DNR licensed raccoon control specialist in Indianapolis, today.

Affordable Solutions to Get Rid of Raccoons in the Attic

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Raccoons are interesting, cute, and smart. But this does not mean we want them under our porches and in our attics! These mammals are capable of causing a lot of property destruction and structural damages to residential homes and commercial properties in Indiana. They are widely known to seek shelter and crawl spaces during the winter months. This is another undesirable and even dangerous situation to have on your hands. So what do you do when you have raccoons in the attic or some other area of your home? You call a professional to safely and humanely extract raccoons and relocate them to a protected and faraway habit!

Raccoon Control Services Can Be Fast and Affordable in Indiana!

You might think raccoon control services are pricey and not worth the money-spent; but this couldn’t be further from the truth! Professional raccoon exclusionists are the only ones who retain the proper tools, training, licensing, and experience to perform this duty for property owners. And even better, they can be absolutely affordable! Raccoon damages can be harmful to your health, as well as, jeopardize or decrease the value of your home. This is what makes raccoon control services worth it.

Raccoon Removal Indianapolis

Raccoon Removal Indianapolis provides the most affordable solutions for raccoon control in Indiana. As a locally owned and operated company, they retain the utmost respect for Hoosiers and their communities. This is why they offer the most competitive prices for their raccoon removal and control services! You can trust you are getting the fairest and most honest estimates and assessments from our DNR licensed and insured raccoon control contractors, every time you call. We value our integrity and want to provide effective and affordable animal control for all residential and commercial properties across Indy. Not only do we serve the Indianapolis areas, we also provide raccoon control for all surrounding counties as well. Call 317-535-4605 to learn more about our fantastic raccoon removal prices in Indianapolis, IN today!

3 Signs You Have Raccoons in the Attic

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No one wants their most-prized and most expensive asset constantly compromised by nuisance wildlife. This is why raccoons can cause homeowners immense frustration. They love to take shelter in parts of the home that we don’t frequently occupy; for example, the attic. This is their favorite space to convert into their personal bedroom, bathroom, breeding ground, feeding table, and trashcan. This leads to unimaginable destruction that costs hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair.

The problem is, raccoons are smart. It takes more than a little traditional pest control to fend off wild raccoons. It takes knowledge and understanding of their species to truly master raccoon-proofing and prevention. Continue reading to learn a few of these strategies, and the top three signs indicating you have raccoons in the attic.

Strange Noises

If you are hearing strange noises at all hours of the night that seem to come from your attic, you may have a raccoon colony living up there. Listen for squeaky, high-pitched sounds, scratching noises, and banging. These are tell-tale sounds raccoons make when they are playing, feeding, or nesting. Although raccoons are nocturnal, these sounds may be evident during the daytime hours as well. If you suspect there are raccoons living in your attic or other area of your home, contact a licensed raccoon removal contractor for safe and humane assistance.

Wall and Ceiling Stains

If you start to notice brown-ish, yellow-ish, or off-white stains on your walls or ceilings, it could be an indication of raccoons in the attic. When raccoon colonies live in attics, their urine and feces soaks into baseboards and drywall, and eventually seeps down though ceilings and walls in the exposed areas of a home. Once this occurs, renovations are costly. This is usually a result of long-term raccoon infestations in homes or buildings. Because raccoon droppings can contain harmful contagions and cause disease, it is strongly suggested to have a professional company implement the renovation and cleanup services needed for your home in the case that this happens to you.

Foul Odor

If you start to smell a faint, or maybe not-so-faint, odor in certain areas of your home, it could be a sign that raccoons are somewhere living in your property. After some time, a raccoon colony generates a large quantity of waste that is never cleaned out or managed. This waste consists of their urine, feces, decayed food, birthing debris, and much more. The odor becomes so strong that it begins to seep into the living areas of a home. It requires professional service to remove the damages and mess made from a long-term raccoon infestation like this.

Indiana Raccoon Removal

Call Indiana Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 for licensed raccoon removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and insured raccoon control specialists with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. We only use safe and humane methods to extract raccoons and prevent their return. We offer free estimates, residential services, commercial services, emergency services, and raccoon cleanup services. Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional raccoon removal services in Indianapolis, IN today.

How to Protect Your Property From Nuisance Raccoons

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Raccoons are a widely prevalent species of mammal in regions with ample forestry and woodlands, as well as, city urban areas, suburbia, and more. They are very intelligent creatures, with the keen capacity to remember, learn, implement, and survive at all costs. This is why they have become a nuisance pest problem for many home and property owners. Smart raccoons learn and remember places with good food and shelter resources, and also learn and implement how to access these areas. For this, and more, raccoons are more and more a problem for home and property owners. They gain entry into attics through loose roof shingles, broken windows, cracks, crevices, and gaps in siding. They use their nimble and dexterous paws to pry open doors and locks, and make their way into crawl spaces, walls, attics, porches, sheds, garages, and more.

Raccoons cause structural damages to a home and surrounding property, leading to costly repairs and renovations. They use attic insulation to build nests where they breed their young. Breeding leftovers, eating leftovers, and droppings leave behind a mess that will shock you. The odor is strong and distinct, and can linger into the living quarters of a home. Drywall is soiled and wet, which means it is probably also moldy. All of this is also dangerous to our respiratory health.

Airborne spores from infected raccoon droppings, for example, can cause illnesses in humans within the home. Many more health consequences can occur from a raccoon infestation as well; such as rabies virus, Histoplasmosis, allergies, and more. Structural damages and health threats are not the only mischievousness raccoons are capable of. They can also steal food straight from our cabinets, shelves, and even pantries! Leaving behind nothing but ripped open cereal boxes and empty cartons of juice all over the floor and countertops!

Raccoon Removal and Control

So how do people prevent raccoons from trespassing onto their properties? Is this feat even possible? How can I protect my home from wild raccoons? These are common and apposite questions that most certainly come with an answer that makes sense to everyone! Here are some expert tips for protecting your property and home from nuisance wildlife, and who to call for trusted service and professional advice:

• Do Not Leave Pet Food or Pet Dishes Outside
• Install Automatic Sprinklers or Outdoor Lighting
• Take Garbage to the Curb on the Morning of Trash Day
• Remove Squirrel and Bird Feeders
• Implement Needed Interior and Exterior Renovations (i.e. sealing, insulation, siding repair, roof replacement, etc.)
• Install Door and Window Locks
• Purchase an Outdoor Sound Machine
• Hire a Licensed Raccoon Control Contractor to Inspect and Raccoon-Proof Your Home

These messy mammals have become a nuisance in many populated regions of the country; however, raccoons are wonderful creatures that deserve a right to live and thrive. No one should ever trap, harm, or kill a raccoon unless they have proper licensing to do so. If you find a raccoon colony in your home, or an injured raccoon in your yard, contact an Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control contractor right away for prompt, safe, and humane service.

Indiana Raccoon Removal

Call 317-535-4605 for licensed raccoon removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana. At Indiana Raccoon Removal, our highly trained and DNR licensed animal control contractors retain the latest technologies and advanced equipment to safely and humanely extract raccoons from residential and commercial settings. We also provide a wide range of additional raccoon removal services, such as raccoon cleanup, minor restorations and repair, raccoon-proofing, inspections, free estimates, and more. Call 317-535-4605 for prompt, humane, and professional raccoon removal services in Indianapolis, IN.