The Opossum's Pouch Sanctuary, Rescue and Rehabilitation

10/24/2026

Update - I have all 5 baby mice in a container with proper food and all are eating on their own now! I moved the mom's bedding which she meticulously took from the cardboard off some new lightbulbs and a paper towel. They sleep under a tiny flannel blanket I gave them with the bedding.

I had forgotten how fast they grow. They'll move up in size of their living quarters as they get bigger, but it's a relief now they can eat on their own! I'll keep hands off but gosh they are so cute!

10/23/2026

There is someone named Heather W diamond on the page trying to sell T-shirts. This is a scam and please do not order from this person and if you see the post report it to Facebook as a scam.

10/22/2026

Opossums are often times the ones being bullied. Very few stand up for themselves when around another animal. I have watched the ones at my place cower and run from skunks, the raccoons and even an occasional cat. Other times different opossums just coexist at the feeding station with no issues. I think it’s safe to say this opossum is hungry and he is there for that last little bit of food and definitely is not going to stand down to the skunk. At the same time, the skunk is pretty upset about it and I hope this opossum didn’t get sprayed.😊

10/22/2026

For those facing the issues of other wildlife eating all the food and opossums getting very little or none. Tone Cantrell posted this and sent to me a few years ago. We made one and Bert placed a 5.5" PVC piece of pipe for the entrance. The further north the larger the raccoons and Tone has some large ones. One of the smaller raccoons here went right in so we were able to size the pipe down. The opossums fit through easily, lol. I still put out food for the raccoons but now the opossums can at least get their share.

10/21/2026

I have Courtinex Quail due to using a lot of quail eggs for various reasons with the opossums. As they get older, the can have a lot of hip problems. I now have 3 indoor geriatric cages for some needing a retirement home. I had a very sweet pair moving to a larger cage and I took their enclosure outside to clean today. A little mouse ran out from the cash tray below and under our shed. Jasper brought one back through the window kitty door from our cattery about 2+ weeks ago. Then he released it before I could get it safe, so I'm sure it was this little mom.

An hour later I needed a zip tie and opened the "catch all drawer" and there was a nest of 5 baby mice. Fully furred and eyes open but so tiny. The drawer was directly below where the quails were. Their momma was released when I took the cage out. I was so upset this little mom was separated from her babies and no way to fix it. I now have 5 new tiny mouths to feed! They are old enough to start eating but I've also been feeding formula drop by drop. I'll get them old enough to return outside, but this was not part of my plans this week, lol. (but they are cute) ☺️

10/18/2026

Winter is here and hard on opossums who has a body temp averaging 93-95. Must lower than other mammals... I'm posting a link that is not too costly to do for a shelter for opossums. This is an outdoor cat shelter so they use a larger rubbermaid tote. An 18 gallon tote will work because opossums are loners, so multiples will not be sharing the way cats do. TWO important things. #1 Create a circular hole if possible, 5 and 1/2 in diameter. It seems small but they can fit through it and hopefully larger animals won't so they will be safe. #2 Speaking of safe - You will need to create 2 holes on each end. It's not great for loosing some warmth, however an opossum needs an escape route should another animal attempt to enter. The ones I created didn't get used until I added the second hole for an exit. They will push straw up and block the holes once they are inside. Old chest coolers work perfectly and already insulated!! I embarrass Bert constantly by dumpster diving when I see one!

If you have outdoor sheds, a crawl space area or should there be anything in your yard covered with a tarp, i.e. wood pile...they will collect leaves, pine straw and make a nest to keep warm. Help them out by grabbing a bale of STRAW, not HAY and place it near the shed. Cut it open and they will find the straw to take and select their own place to build. I sectioned up two bales and placed in areas easy for them to collect on our property yesterday. One section has already been taken under our storage shed, so I'll place more out today. Opossums loose 1/3 of their body weight in the winter due to no food source to find. This makes staying warm even harder. COMPASSION DOESN'T HURT.

How to keep feral cats warm in the winter by creating this simple s...

10/17/2026

This is Maggie, she was stuck in a transport truck for over 3 days and suffered a heat stroke. Often they have issues with mobility thats permanent. I've worked with her for weeks. I propped her up and hand fed her, changed her from side to side etc... After a few weeks she would eat on her own. She has a bassinet thats kept her comfortable and close so I could keep an eye on her. Today I brought fresh blankets and Miss Maggie was setting up! You are between over joyed and wanting to cry! lol. I picked her up and snuggled with her, she's so gentle. I know she's going to be walking soon. These guys are often put down quickly and it's not what rehabbers should do. All they need is a chance and time. I'll always give this to each one who need it. (She also loves her formula with a dip of yogurt added in, lol). Its really been a happy ending to a pretty long day.

10/13/2026

There is a story behind this young girl. She was not fed the proper formula when small. A bad diet can result in Metabolic Bone Disease. Everyone believes they are fine to release if they see no signs of MBD. However their diet goes south quick when released. I was contacted by the person who helped with a soft release for this rehabber and this one had returned to the enclosure having a hard time walking. It was MBD and I am grateful for soft releases so when things go wrong they can return to the enclosure.

If you look closely at the left little hand, it's cupped. She doesn't spread her fingers apart to walk. Her back legs are splayed as well as the front ones. I'm treating her to get calcium back in her diet and placed her back on formula. MBD can be stopped from progressing and very slightly corrected when caught early. Unfortunately this girl will not be able to go back to the wild. I'll be working with her over the winter. MBD is painful, similar to arthritis so meds will be given to keep her comfortable.

Opossums require a very special diet and the correct formula. I'm happy to help and guide anyone who finds an opossum. This one was raised by a rehabber and I see so many being taught improperly.

Note her ears folded forward. They do this to keep moisture out in the wild, they also do this when it's raining. If missing an ear they should never be released. They will get pseudomonas bacteria in their ears and it's a horrible infection.

10/10/2026

Please pray for all humans and animals affected by Hurricane Isaias. We are bracing here for more than usual calls and intakes on wildlife due to winds and constant rain the next two days. Rehabbers here in SC network together so we're prepared and will all be in communication to help those in need. If anyone is in the path or the storm and needs help or advice with wildlife, I'm happy to advise. The rain has started so I'm going to grab a nap before the calls start. As always, thank you all for your continued support!

10/10/2026

UPDATE: June 26, this girl came in with a shatter shoulder, no babies but full of milk. We gave her a few orphans and she was so happy to have them to care for. Her shoulder was stabilized and its now healed and she has some use of it. Miss Cleo raised the first babies and even raised a second litter of orphans! Miss Cleo was the best mom! Her shoulder will never be fully useable, so she will remain with us here and enjoy the easy life. She has gained 3.5 lbs and beautiful!