Ruffled Feathers Parrot Sanctuary Inc.
Where Hope Takes Flight
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Opossum vs. Dog: A Shocking Encounter
This call actually came in several nights ago on the 17th. I knew it was going to be good news, so I held onto it for when I needed a little reminder that things do go right sometimes.
This scrappy guy got attacked by dogs in a rough part of town. But, true to his nature, he fought them off and walked away with only minor injuries. When I examined him, I found just three small puncture wounds near the base of his neck�almost no blood. A little disinfectant was all he needed. If it had been warmer, I probably would have dabbed some Vaseline on the wounds to keep the flies out and sent him on his way. That was my plan, but I wanted to make sure he had a full belly and was properly rehydrated first, so I figured he could stay the night.
Then the next day, the state flooded. No way was I releasing him into that mess. One more day of rest and extra food wouldn�t hurt. But the day after that, the flood froze solid. That�s when I realized that if I let him go in his usual territory, he�d be right back where all those loose dogs roam. I didn�t want to put him out in a strange area in freezing temperatures either. So we waited. And waited.
Finally, today�Sunday�the weather lined up just right. He�s got several warm days ahead to find his way and settle into some new stomping grounds. I released him behind our house, where he�ll have access to plenty of lush garbage cans and, thankfully, almost no loose dogs. Of course, that is� until one shows up and bites you, and suddenly you�re losing fingers just from typing about it.
Some good news for a change�though he sure wasn�t thrilled about leaving. Still, he�s free again, in a much safer spot. Whether he stays put or makes a beeline back to trouble before sunrise is up to him. I think he�s learned his lesson. The dogs? Only time will tell.
A special thank you to our friend Bella, ever-vigilant dog chaser, for stepping in and saving this little guy. He�s thanking you with that wiggly tail as he saunters off, free once more�thanks to you.
Find out what to do if you find an injured opossum here…
Learn more about opossums and their special differences here…
I’ve had a lot of opossums over the years. Maybe even thousands. You can see some of them here…
See the ending of this guy’s story here… Another happy ending I don’t get to share near enough of…
Ruffled Feathers Parrot Sanctuary Inc.
If you find an injured opossum,�immediately contact your local wildlife rehabilitator�to get guidance on how to safely capture and transport the animal;�wear gloves when handling it, place it in a secure box with air holes lined with a towel, and avoid giving it food or water until you reach a wildlife care center;�do not attempt to treat the injuries yourself.�
Key steps to take:
Assess the situation:
Check if the opossum is truly injured and if it’s safe to approach.�
Wear gloves:
Always wear gloves when handling wildlife to protect yourself from potential bites or diseases.�
Secure the opossum:
Use a towel or sheet to gently cover the opossum and carefully pick it up, placing it in a box with air holes.�
Transport to a wildlife rehabilitator:
Contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center to find out where to take the injured opossum.�
Do not attempt to feed or medicate:
Avoid giving the opossum food or water unless instructed by a wildlife professional.�
Important points to remember:
Check for babies:
If you find a deceased opossum, check its pouch for babies as they may need care.�
Keep children and pets away:
Ensure children and pets are kept at a safe distance from the injured animal.�
Do not release without proper evaluation:
If you are unsure about the opossum’s condition, always consult a wildlife rehabilitator before releasing it.�
We hope to have the emergency phone numbers you need up on on this website soon.
Thank You for visiting our page.
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