The Opossum's Pouch Sanctuary, Rescue and Rehabilitation

01/23/2025

Every opossum here has their own story and each one is special to me. Some are more needy and Wren is one of them. She's a bit of a mascot because she travels with me when I teach classes. It was unknown why her front arms/legs were bent at the elbow but Xrays showed old breaks that had started to mend and locked in place. She's able to wash her face and can grasp bits of food with her hands. I hand feed her to make sure she eats the proper amount and she still loves her formula.

She's has some local fans who have given her some cute gifts. She is never far away from me and often spends time with us while we are caring for all the others. She's full of personality and seems fascinated by her surroundings. Her story started in a sad way but she's a happy little girl who is given lots of love and attention! Here is when she first came in, still a small girl in the last photos recently taken, but will be year old in March.

01/21/2025

Oh these girls....lol. Another two who both have some brain damage and love each other. They have a large enclosure with a cat wheel and a rabbit hutch inside the enclosure for sleeping. They are the most messy two ladies I think I have ever had! lol

Bobbie on the left was believed to have been dropped by a hawk. She came in young with a pierced chin and another hole between her eyes. It took awhile to recover and when the bone healed on her upper nose and between the eyes, it drew her eyes closer together. She's just precious. Bobbles on the right was the only survivor out of her litter when her mom was hit by a car. I knew she had brain injuries, she she wasn't able to hold her head still. Almost like the bobble headed dogs from the 60/70's that would set on the dash of cars. Both of these girls are simple minded and where one goes the other goes. Bobbles can hold her head still now unless she gets excited. I tell them every day how lucky they are to be so cute as I clean up the walked through food, turned over water dish and tracking little dirty feet prints all over the hutch. (The pad on the floor was fresh from the dryer. It took minutes to spread some crumbs.... lol....both are so worth the clean ups!) lol.

01/18/2025

COLD WEATHER CAN BE DEADLY FOR ANIMALS OUTDOORS!!! (share please so others will know)

I've had a number of messages about what I think would work for outdoor shelters.... #1 - Offer a bale of straw, cut open and left in the dry. This helps if you have no where to place a shelter. Opossums will gather the straw and take it to their dens or find a place they can build a nest.

#2 - If you make them a shelter from old coolers etc... always create TWO openings to enter and exit. Wildlife are always on alert of being attacked, often so are feral cats. So if there's only one opening they feel the need to constantly stay on alert watching the entrance. They feel trapped. Its just their instinct. If given an entrance and they have an escape exit, they will use the shelters and feel much more comfortable. Here is one you can purchase that is insulated and heating at a reasonable price. You can also add some foam pads for extra insulation.

Features: Large outdoor heated cat house enough for a 24lb cat or two 12lb cats 30W heating pad with chew resistant cord for consistent warmth Waterproof Oxford cloth with PVC layer for durability Easy assembly with stable legs and ground stakes Dual exits with transparent door flaps for sa...

01/18/2025

I've been asked for our Amazon wish list to be posted by a few followers. I found this on "Today's Deals" on amazon and its one of our greatest needs.

Puppy Pads, Regular Size 22"x22", 100 Count, P*e Pads for Dogs Potty Training, Ultra-Absorbent 6-Layer Leak-Proof, Quick-Dry Surface

01/18/2025

These photos were too sweet not to share. This is Fletcher who was hit by a car and Libby who has a broken jaw that has healed on its own and crooked. Adult opossums do not normally get along, especially in the wild. They are loners.

Fletcher and Libby both had head injuries. Neither are eating solid foods so their dinners are soft. I puree' their meals and they still get their formula. When they have brain injuries their behaviors are very different. These two who are near adulthood enjoy one another and share a playpen. When I glanced over at them after eating, I couldn't resist a photo with them cuddling.

01/15/2025

There's a video which will not load here but these are some still shots of the little boy after surgery. His little naked bottom

01/15/2025

The little boy (who isn't named as of yet) Is still sleeping after his surgery. He's on pain meds so he will most likely sleep for a few days which is a good thing.

An early am call came in to rescue this little Screech Owl found in the middle of the highway. I take any calls near me when needed and then transport or meet up with the proper rehabber. It's super important to find the rehabber who specializes in the species.

He clashed with a windshield and they get head trauma similar to other animals. Notice this little one has eyes closed and head tucked down. Opossums do the same when they take a blow to the head. He's now in good hands and it was a pleasure to help out with such a cute little fellow!

01/14/2025

Our little fellow is out of surgery and did great! Thank you all who donated. There was enough skin to pull the area together. I'm so relieved, with that much infection it can make surgery more risky. Thank you Dr. Tope and Electric City Animal Clinic!!

Send a message to learn more

01/14/2025

This little boy has been dropped off with Dr. Tope who will be doing the surgery instead of Dr Scott. The infection is really bad and the concern is #1 stopping the infection #2 how much skin can be left to close the area after the removal of the tail. A culture is going to be needed so he can issue the best antibiotics for such a severe infection. Hence the cost being $260 more than expected. He'll be on pain meds as well as the best antibiotics. Even the staff commented on how sweet this little boy's nature.

Thank you to those who have donated. I'm so sorry to have to ask for help but please know how much its appreciated. This is a video from this morning waiting to be checked in.... his little tail smells so bad and this little boy is so gentle.

01/14/2025

This little boy was attacked by a larger animal. His tail was bitten multiple times. Other wounds healed however his tail has turned septic regardless of the antibiotics. It's basically like gangrene. He's scheduled for emergency surgery first thing tomorrow before the infection can reach his body. There's been a number of these little ones coming in with some pretty complicated issues. I'll include a donate link on this post but you can also donate by phone to Electric City Animal Hospital (864) 225-0015. He's going in as an emergency surgery so they only have him listed right now as an "Opossum with a tail amputation". Dr. Scott will do the surgery.

Thank you all for every donation. Supplies of formula, potty pads, paper towels, laundry detergent and other desperately needed items. I wish I had the time and discipline to set down long enough to send each and everyone of you a thank you note. These little ones seem to keep me on my toes from early am to early am the next day, lol. But they are all worth it and more.

01/12/2025

These were a life savor. One of our tanks was covered in ice so my husband placed it in the tub to melt and on a dolly so we could move it around easily. I will admit, neither of us slept much because we felt the need to constantly check on this way of heating because we had never used it. It barely used any propane.

My husband's name is Bert... He kept the generator going with the ice and sleet coming down. He ran the multiple cords to keep what we needed going so the opossums had food and heat. Bert has insulated the chicken coop, the Quail and rescued ducks. When I feed and clean, he feeds and cleans. I'm blessed to have someone who supports my work and loves these little ones along with me. I often feel as if a "thank you" doesn't seem like enough. I never take him for granted!!

01/12/2025

Not a great photo but I'm trying not to disturb the little boy we named Lofton, (named after Rea Loftis who found him in her yard).

01/11/2025

This young boy was found laying in a yard this morning. Temps were in the upper 20's with sleet, snow and rain! I've never held an animal this cold to the touch. We had a heating pad plugged in with the heat blasting Once home it was an hour or so later and he was still cold and listless. I moved him to the incubator and it took another 3-4 hours for him to feel warm. We monitored his body temp and finally got it to normal.

He had one wound on the side his face and his little toe has an old compound fracture. You can't treat or feed until they're warm but we did give warm SubQ fluids. He's been sleeping all day and his chest in congested. We suspect pneumonia and he's being treated. If you see any animal beside the road of in your yard, please contact a rehabber or myself and I'll help you find one. Tonight this little boy is still sleeping, but now warm!

01/09/2025

Please help with fresh water and some kibble which won't freeze for our outside guys during all this harsh weather. Even left overs or anything at all helps when no food can be found. If you can offer a cut bail of straw, they will collect it in their tails and make a bed under a shed or in a space out of the elements. Life is hard on all wildlife but worse for opossums with a low body temp of 93-94 on average. We have had much colder weather here in SC than normal. I wintered over 27 orphans not large enough to release before cold weather, but all have larger enclosures in my Sanctuary. I've seen several rehabbers release during the winter and thats so morally wrong with no food source available. Its not always easy to feed as many as I do but we are here to do whats right for them, not whats easy for us.

Please everyone.... remember Compassion is Free!

01/09/2025

A friend of mine cared for this little girl and being on a lot of acreage, she released her right in her yard. She's lived under their home and has food provided. Something must have startled her so she went up the tree.... this made me smile to listen to my friend attempt to "reason" with Carla to come down. Enjoy this smile for today... It goes without saying my friends are all "like-minded". LOL (and she did finally come down)!

01/07/2025

5 days later with Sub Q fluids and much needed sleep, W***y is awake! Its always a guessing game with head trauma as to how long they will sleep or how sharp their mind with be. Only time will tell.

We will get scheduled to remove the eye in the next week but just to see him a bit more alert and attempting to clean himself was such a relief! I was able to syringe feed him some formula tonight. Its a slow process because his nose is still clogged and swollen so we allowed him to lick at the syringe at his pace. Its always a happy time when fully awake, we feel the hardest part is over!