The Opossum's Pouch Sanctuary, Rescue and Rehabilitation

11/09/2025

If anyone following The Opossums Pouch here receives a message appearing to come from me "offering to help you", PLEASE KNOW ITS NOT ME! I believe its this stupid AI that I have yet to find a way to turn it off. The message some of you receive never shows to me when some of you respond that "you do not need help". I am so sorry this is happening!! I try to spend time when the day allows dissecting my messenger to try and stop this. I am so sorry this is happening!!! Facebook is becoming very difficult to work with lately. There is no way to speak with anyone with Facebook.

11/09/2025

I've mentioned this before and want to remind everyone again... If you open the door to allow your dogs out at night, please make a noise! Clap your hands, hit a spoon on a pot etc... Give an opossum a chance to run and get away before letting the dog/dogs out, please.

In one week, I have taken in 3 opossums attacked by dogs. The third one came in today and was really afraid so I didn't take a picture. She was treated and now sleeping on a heating bed. The average dog bite is about 269 pounds per square inch. Small dogs naturally is lower and really large dogs is higher but the jaw pressure can cause significant internal damage. So again a little noise made cost nothing and could save a life.

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11/07/2025

Older opossums in the wild average 1.5-2 years. They age so fast and life is really hard for them. If you find one laying in a yard this way, please bring them in and get safe. Google your state and wildlife rehabbers for the closest rehabber near you. I'm always wiling to help as well.

This dear old man was found to exhausted to take another step. He was pale and after removing the massive amounts of fleas, we're treating for anemia. He's resting tonight after syringe feeding him and he's on an iron rich vitamin. Anemia can take many weeks to recover from. This dear fellow however is too old to return to the wild so he'll join the "Pouch's Bed and Breakfast"...

11/04/2025

This little lady must’ve had a hard life. Her little nose has been injured and healed. Something has mangled her foot. It’s extremely swollen and infected. She’s pretty afraid and we don’t want to x-ray until we get the infection under control.

To all of you who rescue these little guys and bring to us…..THANK YOU YOU!!! I could not save as many as I do without the help of those equally as compassionate who get them out of harms way. The finders deserve so much credit and just know you’re appreciated. 

11/01/2025

These are a few of my nightly visitors. The weather has been nasty and cold. The 1st photo is an older guy who is at my backdoor no matter the weather. He was soaking wet but he gets a full meal every night. He's showing signs of his age and when the temps drop below freezing, he'll be coming in. There's a female also who visits every 2-3 days. Leaving out a little helps so much.

There's a new dark opossum with one white back foot! He's young and a big boy. I worry he'll challenge my older boy at some point. My old lady raccoon who's mask has turned grey. She comes and brings the kids and grandkids as well. Then there's Wally or Juanita, the armadillo. We are not sure which name to use! Yes we have dozens of holes to cover up every morning, but its just dirt to kick back in a hole. Its nothing to get so angry about like some do.

10/30/2025

What a voice!

10/30/2025

I stay involved with as many disaster relief teams for animals as possible. (these dogs have now been rescued, they survived!) When I posted for prayers needed due to the hurricane, I had one very negative comment under the post about the people there not caring about animals and prayers was not what was needed! I want everyone to know... The Zoo and small rescue moved animals to safer locations. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Network for Animals, Wings of Rescue, and Greater Goods Charities have sent and are preparing to send even more emergency support to Jamaica. They are gathering veterinary medical supplies, pet food, and generators. I have 3 friends, one being a veterinarian who are helping a disaster relief team right now. Many animals are indeed needing help and given shelter. Help is there and it will be weeks of hard work but animal rescue people are some of the toughest!

10/30/2025

May 11, 2025 this old guy came in after something had ripped his tail off. His tail and eyes were infected, we soon learned he was blind. The weeks ahead was a struggle to keep him hydrated and syringe fed. Grandpa seemed to have given up. I sat with him, held him and kept feeding him small amounts. One morning he was setting up and grooming! The photo to the right is Grandpa today. He has a plush kitty house in our bathroom! lol. He picked our bathmat to sleep, so I gave him a little house. For the past 5 months, he eats, sleeps and uses a potty pad in the bathroom. His tail took forever to heal but he's as brand new as possible and a little chunky now! We love Grandpa to bits!!

10/28/2025

Hurricane Melissa is going to cause horrendous devastation to Jamaica. I pray all the people there have been able to prepare for safe shelter. Some people and pets have been evacuated but many have not. Strays, pets left behind, wildlife and farm animals need our prayers also. Humans have the understanding of whats happening and although animals have instincts, I'm not sure anything can prepare them from the winds and flooding headed their way.

I lived in Charleston, SC during Hurricane Hugo. The aftermath was devastating for the people and the animals. We worked for weeks helping the wildlife and other animals. I pray for all the animals who will experience fear, desperation to survive and those who will be injured or perish. I pray for strength and guidance to all those helping the animals. Please keep all the lives in this storms path in your prayers as well!

10/26/2025

Got back a few hours ago with this little boy. Here is another hurdle the youngsters face in the wild. This little fellow has multiple puncture wounds, this is just a few. This was done by another male opossum who was much larger and older. Males, in most species will fight and sadly the new kids never win. One bite is across his back/spine and he's left with some nerve damage and for now cannot use his back legs. There's a treatment we hope will work. The girl who heard the fight ran and stopped it by shouting and the larger male ran, leaving this young boy unable to run.

I was able to take the class (The Trager Approach) taught by a dear friend, Carla Montagno who is a volunteer with the Fresno Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. This same treatment was used for her son after a rock climbing accident. Today he walks. Its amazing to see this method work. I will include the link in the body of posts below. Carla is an amazing person who teaches any willing to learn the Trager Approach. Prayers for this little boy is always helpful as well. He's very afraid right now but so patiently allowed me to clean and medicate all his wounds.

10/23/2025

I've posted this before but always good to refresh for those who may not have seen it. Picking an opossum up by the tail is no different than picking up a dog or cat by the tail. It hurts and can damage the spine. Opossums use their tail for balance, for gripping to climb down from fences etc... They also use it to gather leaves, straw etc.. for bedding to make nest. Babies can hold their weight for a short time if they fall but adults are not able to hold their weight. Not sure how the myth started that they sleep hanging by their tails, however its certainly not true!

10/22/2025

The nicest man contacted me about this old girl he found setting in the road. She didn't appear hurt but he soon noticed she could not see. David took her to the vet who confirmed cataracts, also has some inflamed/infected gums. David named her Posey! Thanks to Francis Briggs and his wife Rachelle who help transport, I was saved half of a 2 hours drive tonight. Posey's ears are tattered, her gums are inflamed and infected. She has had cataracts for awhile. I'm so thankful that she will spend a warm winter with us here at The Pouch. Cold weather is hard on them all but being old and blind would be the death of her.

Posey had a late super, some warm formula and burrowed under her soft blankets, she seems to understand life has taken a turn for her and she's now safe! Gosh I love what I do!!!