The Opossum's Pouch Sanctuary, Rescue and Rehabilitation

10/15/2025

UPDATE: The Pouch took in this one in after being attacked by a dog and chewed/bitten repeatedly. Bites all over his little body. This little guy didn't want to eat or move for 3 days. 12 days later, he has made amazing progress. His wounds are almost healed, even the deepest ones. He's eating (and eating...lol), gained weight and finishes medications in 2 more days. I won't release too soon. Often times the healed area of a bite can re-abscess so we'll give it some time. I'm not known to rush them out the door due to lack of space as I've seen happen due to space. No matter how many in my care, they will always get the time needed to properly heal. I'm so happy with the progress I've seen!

10/12/2025

There's 2 types of releases for wildlife.
#1-Hard Release is where you take them out into a wooded area with hopefully a water source and turn them loose. Often they're afraid to come out of the pet carrier but forced to.
#2-A Soft Release is where they go outside into large enclosures and become familiar with the temps, the sounds, the smells and all that the outdoors life includes. Preferably on larger tracts of land. After an average of 2 weeks the door is left open and they leave on on their own terms. Should they become injured, or unable to find food, even find the wild scary... they will return to their enclosure. Some leave at night but return before day light to sleep in their own cubby beds! (I ONLY do soft releases)

I have two wonderful people who have enclosures and take my orphans once 2.5-3 lbs for pre-release. Each took 5 today. Its hard to see them go. If you look at the last two of my intakes, you'll see why I hate sending them out into a cruel world. Should any return injured, they will return back to me for care and that makes me feel a bit better. We are near the end of the season for releasing orphans. In northern states, release time is up and I pray no one turns out babies at this time of year, they won't survive.

Its been a bitter sweet day today. I'm doing what I know I should but you can't help but tear up watching them leave. Thank you all who follow my rescue. I hope this helps some appreciate opossums a bit more and please know I'm always here to help anyone I can.

10/12/2025

Opossum's lives are so sad. They have come in steady this week. The sweetest person met me to take this boy in today. She noticed this horrible wound and was able to trap him. I cannot do what I do without those of you who notice the ones in need and make the commitment to getting them safe.

This wound was the worst of several. The infection was already draining horribly. Anytime one has been attacked by another animal, their behavior remains to get away from anything near them. Just keeping him still to clean and treat the wounds certainly took some tragedy! With suspected bites and lacerations from another animal, you never want to suture them closed without a drain tube. Infection needs to drain. Treating as an open wound is another option. After conversation with the finder, a coyote is likely to be what attacked this boy and he was lucky to get away. There's bite wounds under his thigh and across his back. His leg doesn't appear to be broken but he's not wanting to use it for now. He's in a quiet dark enclosure with some good food , water and meds given. Its his time to get some much needed rest. We're going to have a busy week ahead at the vets for sure!

10/09/2025

Received these photos from another rehabber who was going to be out of town and needed help with this baby which had just arrived. We suspect a dog bite with tooth damage on each side of the head and a hole in the top of the head. One eye is damaged but medicated eye ointment was applied and we have to wait to see if it heals. The wounds are badly infected and as soon as I smelled the odor I knew we had maggots. This little juvenile was so good to work with and allowed me to clean the wounds, removed all maggots, apply meds and also started oral meds. I offered some formula and wow was this little one happy to be syringe fed. I set up the incubator for now until I'm sure he's a bit more stable. He's very thin and pretty sick but seeing him eat makes me feel better.

On a happy note our other little fellow attacked by the large dog is now eating!! He's not moving around much but I know he's still so sore. Prayers worked so well for him and this new tiny guy could use some of the same!

10/05/2025

I've kept this little boy under warm blankets and covered his enclosure so he won't be so afraid. Soft food and water is offered twice a day but he has yet to eat, however drank a little water. I carefully treated his wounds and gave his meds. He lifted his head a bit ago and I took a quick photo. He has changed sleeping positions and he's horribly sore. I don't worry about food as much as being hydrated so if he's not drinking a bit more I'll sub Q some fluids later tomorrow. I'm happy he's acknowledging me checking in on him so being alert is a good sign. Thank you all for the prayers! He made it through the night and thats prayers answered.

10/04/2025

This little boy was eating from an outside dog's bowl and it ended badly for him. The lady heard the noise and ran to get the dog off of him. I went right away to get him and started to gently clean the wounds and trim fur away. It took some time but I believe we found all the bites. Poor little fellow played dead the entire time. He was such a good little boy. It was hard to tell if he has any broken bones so we're allowing him to rest on a heating pad. Xrays can come later. I stopped by the vet today for meds, he's going to be so very sore for a few days. Send this little guy some healing prayers!

10/03/2025

For all who messaged me about our new chick... Mom has never been so happy and protective over her baby! She's separate from the rest of her group for now. They can see one another and interact but no contact until the baby is older. I hope this isn't a little rooster, Horace will not be happy if it is... lol

10/03/2025

For all who saw Brian Webb's nasty comments about Jane Goodall... he is no longer able to be a jerk here.

10/01/2025

I saw this amazing lady as a true hero in the animal world. If I can pattern my life by the good she has done, I know I'd leave this world a better place. Its a huge loss for conservation and the animals needing safe places to live.

With great sadness, the Jane Goodall Institute confirmed this morning the passing of the organization’s founder, Dr. Jane Goodall, age 91 who died peacefully in her sleep while in Los Angeles, CA for her speaking tour in the United States.

Dr. Goodall’s life and work not only made an indelible mark on our understanding of chimpanzees and other species, but also of humankind and the environments we all share. She inspired curiosity, hope and compassion in countless people around the world, and paved the way for many others — particularly young people who gave her hope for the future.

In 1960 Dr. Goodall established the longest running wild chimpanzee study in Gombe National Park, Tanzania which continues to this day. She pioneered and sustained the Jane Goodall Institute’s community-centered conservation initiatives across the chimpanzee range for over four decades. Her legacy includes the creation of JGI’s international environmental and humanitarian youth program Roots & Shoots, which is actively driving change in 75 countries and counting around the world.

The Jane Goodall Institute is incredibly grateful to all our supporters, partners, and friends, especially during this difficult time. To add a personal remembrance of Dr. Goodall and continue her legacy for future generations, please visit JaneGoodall.org/RememberingJane

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Photo credit: Marko Zlousic

09/29/2025

Forgive the background noise... This is a baby that cannot be released before cold weather, he won't weigh 2.5 lbs - 3 lbs before cold weather. He's fondly known as "Picky Pete" because we've never had such a picky little fellow with his meals. Veggies must be steamed, not raw. No cold food! Even his yogurt needs warmed to room temp. LOL.

Opossum are constantly cleaning and grooming. This little boy had finished his supper, washed his face and hands and then decided to walk on his exercise wheel. I was cleaning up and there was a small piece of broccoli left. I placed it in his dish. He noticed and ate the tiny bit. When he finished, the entire ritual of washing hands and face needed to be repeated. He's an adorable little fellow and wanted to share with you all....

09/26/2025

Wellington seems to have settled in quite well here as you can see. The fall down into the well left him with a broken pelvis which will require him to remain with us for about 2 months while he heals. If cold weather has set in he may remain with The Pouch over the winter. He's experienced in the wild however they need to be outdoors for their winter coat to come in. Being inside that won't happen. Notice his scent gland in yellow under his neck. All males with develop this when a just a small juvie and it remains through their life. We are working on cleaning his tail but he's not happy about it being touched! lol.

Wellington has a great appetite and will be wormed while here and on a calcium rich diet to help with healing. Thank you all who have donated to the care of the ones recently arrived and some with some tough injuries.

09/21/2025

The donation link wouldn't attach to all the injured intakes below, so posting it here for the 4 new ones with medical issues... thank you all who can donate.