The Opossum's Pouch Sanctuary, Rescue and Rehabilitation

07/05/2025

I hope everyone had a safe 4th! For us, there's never any down time or barbecues here! lol. These babies are one of several rescues/intakes today. Two little boys and one little girl survived. Mom was attacked by a dog and passed just before transport arrived. As always thank you to be best couple ever, Francis and Rachelle Briggs who transported over 1.5 hrs to reach us. We assume the other babies were shaken out of mom's pouch during the attack and were not found. One little boy has a leg laceration that is serious and other marks from the dogs teeth. I'll do my best to keep them healthy. Feedings are every 2-3 hours so there's going to be some long weeks ahead... lol.

07/04/2025

Part of what I do is help others locate a rehabber and I get calls from all over the US. I have taken calls from Canada and as far as S. America... I try to network with rehabbers everywhere so we can find help faster. Last night or should I say early am, I helped a really nice lady who was unsure if she was comfortable getting this injured boy in a pet carrier.

She was in Chicago, IL. I walked her through what to do and how.... Then 10 minutes later I got this text and the 3 words at the bottom made my night! I have to remind myself how much I take for granted when I rescue an opossum. I never give a second thought when picking one up but its scary for someone who has never done this to get it safe. She had to over night this boy and today after I made a few calls, he was dropped off at a wildlife hospital. Its nice to have a happy ending.

07/03/2025

These babies have the option of two beds and a nice soft hammock. Opossums feel the safest when they’re all grouped snug together just like in mom‘s pouch. I just happened to be checking on everybody and thought I’d share the seven that are in this bed. The other bed and hammock is quite comfortable, but they elect to stay together. Once Older, and on their own, they spend their life pretty much as loaners, but it’s very heartwarming to find how much they enjoy being close when young…❤️ I have well over another dozen litters of orphans, all different sizes some only a litter of three others 11 but all seem to enjoy snuggling.

07/01/2025

I've been asked a lot of questions about the opossums who have head trauma. Most that have been hit by cars are hit in the head and face area. Opossums skulls are a bit different than other mammals. Their brain is not protected by a skull in the same way as some other mammals and humans. Its sad their lives are so hard and this fact causes almost all taking a blow to the head to become in need of forever care.

When rehabbers call one "a head trauma" case, we know they cannot go back to the wild. Those never found or taken in usually die a slow horrible death. Many loose their eyesight as well. They are left with no sense of fear, they can loose depth perception and many other behaviors that leaves them unable to survive. They often walk in circles from being confused and equilibrium can be effected. Should you see any injured or displaying these behaviors a rehabber will be needed ASAP.

07/01/2025

Fletcher came in after being hit by a car the end of January. He was treated by a wonderful Veterinarian who felt he needed long-term care due to his head trauma. She contacted us. Fletcher would only lap his formula and we puree'd his food morning and night, which he readily ate, but when offered solid food, he would only lick it. He could not understand to pick it up. This can be common after a head injury.

Last night, while Fletcher was out walking about as he does every night, a salt shaker fell from our kitchen island and he grabbed it and tried to chew it. So...last night and tonight he ate his first bowls of solid food as though he had never forgotten how, 5 months later. We still have another one or two that has to have their soft puréed food, but I’m so happy he now remembers how to eat and chew again!….he has one full little tummy and going to sleep really well tonight!

06/29/2025

I forgot I had taken this photo.... it was too funny not to share. George has head trauma and likes his nightly stroll. I dropped a container of yogurt and he was obviously in the drop zone... I've never seen him so happy!

06/27/2025

June 19th this little boy, Augustus came in after being hit by a car with a badly broken jaw and an injured rear leg. It was a break below the hinge of the jaw and a hard place to work with. He's slept for almost 9 days and often this is what saves them. He's waking up now but still not understanding how to lap on his own so he allows me to tube feed him twice a day. Some days he sleeps through the feeding!

Tonight he strolled around the kitchen for about an hour or more when he climbed in my lap and fell asleep. (Just melt my heart). They have no sense of fear when having a severe brain injury. I placed him back in his bed and he was nodding off, ready to go back to sleep. He's doing really well considering the extent of his injuries. Some injuries take more time than others but Augustus is making wonderful progress. He'll be on a soft diet for weeks to come but and has to learn to eat/lap again but all in time! Thank you all for donations to help with his care. He's on formula for now, its full of all the nutrition he needs.

06/25/2025

The heat is miserable for so many, wildlife included. I just pulled 14 of my guys from outdoor pens and brought indoors until the heat breaks a bit. In the wild they can find their own cooler places to sleep but in captivity they are limited in where they sleep.. I have fans and water misters to keep enclosures cooler and regardless of the shade and all I can provide, I felt it wasn't enough. It wasn't easy making room but we did it! lol. Please read below and provide water for outdoor animals of all species. If a deep dish is used, place rocks and sticks in the water so smaller animals can find their way out should they fall in.

06/22/2025

Augustus had x-rays of his jaw yesterday and he does have a break right below the hinge of the right lower jaw along with a pretty bad infection. It’s still undetermined how we’re going to handle the repair but we need to get the infection under control. He allows me to tube feed all of his medication and formula with vitamins and often times doesn’t even wake up. Augustus was also so overwhelmed with fleas, but we’ve treated and he's flea free now. He’s resting much more comfortably. I’ll update as the days go by. Right now he’s sleeping constantly, which is the best healer for his brain injuries. Thanks for all the messages and prayers!

06/19/2025

This is not the best photo, but I didn’t want to wake him up. This boy was hit by a car last night and although over an hour and a half away, the mst amazing lady was able to find someone to get him to me. Like most of them, he was struck in the face, and has a very bad compound fracture of the lower right jaw. Anytime they come in with severe Head trauma, you never want to sedate them. They need time for some of the brain swelling to go down. We have an appointment for Friday morning to see just how severe the bottom jaw actually is and how we can best repair it. Augustus has been sleeping all day as most do with the brain injury. We will be giving sub, Q fluids and I will probably tube feed him tomorrow to keep his strength up. He’s been very easy to work with and I pray his jaw can be repaired. ❤️

06/17/2025

I'm going to try this again for those of you asking for my Amazon Wish List in hopes the correct link will post.

06/16/2025

If any of you get a message from me asking for your address or anything weird, please report it to facebook! I have no clue what is going on but I get a lot of messages every day asking for my address and its an auto reply back. However I'm learning the same thing is being sent to some of you. Its such a busy time to try and figure out whats going on but I'll make time asap. So sorry if any of you are getting messages from me, I'd never do that!

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