There were adorable - but heartbreaking - scenes when a scared and wet baby raccoon was found on a homeowner's doorstep.

Belchertown Animal Control Officer Sarah Byrnes was called to the Massachusetts property and found the youngster standing on two legs with fear after surviving a rain storm the night before.

The critter quickly accepted help and was soon wrapped in a towel to be dried off.

After not finding a mother in the vicinity, caring Sarah took the raccoon to Leyden Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation where it was soon enjoying some food and looking relaxed.

Estimated to be just over two months old, the raccoon is still too young to fend for itself in the wild, so the Leyden Center will care for it until it is ready to be released.

Sarah said: "Leyden Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation has the raccoon now. It is doing well. It will be rehabilitated and released back to its home when ready."

The cute, standing raccoon picture has drawn comments online, including "I've never seen a baby raccoon standing up before," "That's Rocket Racoon right there!"

and "He looks like a little bouncer at the door."

Sarah adds: "There's a great need for donations for our wildlife rehabbers as they do this all out of pocket and depend on support to continue to be able to save our wildlife."