The last week has been similar to the week before- a few new opossums coming in, everyone here getting bigger, and a couple challenges.
Baby update
The 37 babies are all growing and getting nice and fat. They run on their wheels and play in their cages at night, having become nocturnal. Tyrone, in the middle photo, battled several health issues when he first arrived but you can see how healthy he is now! Most of the babies are still friendly and inquisitive, although their social mood will change as I handle them less. Although I miss being their “Mom”, it’s important that they start developing a natural fear of predators and strangers. I, unfortunately, have to become that for them. For now though, I still have several happy, cuddly babies.
Phone calls
The calls slowed down a lot this week. My voicemail message said I was at capacity (I am) but answers to frequently asked questions could be found on my website, and other rehabbers could be found using Animal Help Now.
I did offer to answer any questions but most callers did not leave a message. I am open to case-by-case intakes this week.
Little lost gosling
This little gosling appeared in the middle of a grassy area quite a distance from a pond, with no parents in sight! The finder has been trying to reunite it with it’s family, but it’s a challenge. Right now we have to worry about HPAI, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which is killing tens of thousands of waterfowl and other birds in the United States. It has now crossed into mammals as scavengers eat the carcasses of the dead birds.
It is not transmissible to humans.
Sandy Creek Mama
The Mama who came in from Sandy Creek Park with sores on her paws and 7 huge babies is back in a hospital cage. I had been housing them all together and the babies were still snuggling with Mom, but one or more of them found her tail to be a possible snack.
She had surgery to repair her tail tip and is now resting and not having to deal with her one pound babies.
Little Old Lady
This dear elderly opossum was found by the side of the road, fending off vultures. She’s blind and very scared, but has a good appetite and enjoys the comfort of a warm cage with plenty of soft blankets and food.
Enrichment!
Once the babies are older and I’m not handling them as much, I fill their cages with fun and educational elements to engage their senses and minds. Fresh tree branches, wheels, hide boxes and more give them something to do.
Some of them spend the day hiding from me but when I wake up to a very messy cage, I know they’ve spent all night active and engaged.
Providing enrichment materials for them is a fun part of my work!
Enrichment
Each cage gets a wheel to run on, sometimes accommodating two or more opossums! There are ladders to climb, swings, places to hide, warm beds, and a variety of tempting foods. All these cages are still on milk formula while they figure out how to drink from a water bottle. I appreciate the donations of wheels and toys which get cleaned and rotated between cages.
Bunnies
Five cottontail rabbits were found displaced from their nest in a suburban yard. There was no nest visible, although they can be hard to spot. The nest often looks like a patch of dead grass, or a small indentation in the soil. Mom rabbits build their nests shallow on purpose. Not so we can find them! If it rains, the nest will not fill up with water and drown the babies.
There were 3 fat ones and two skinny ones, so it seemed as if they came from 2 litters. How they ended up together and out of the nest I’ll never know. One of the tiny ones didn’t make it through the night, as he was very thin and dehydrated. But the other 4 are doing fine and eagerly drinking milk replacer.
Before you mow, weed whack, or till a garden area for the first time this spring, please check to make sure there aren’t any rabbit nests. Taking the time to do so prevents tragedies.
Bunnies always do better with their Mom. They are not hearty, amenable rehab patients. Anything and everything must be done to keep them back with their Mom. Visit this page to learn more what to do if you’ve found a nest.
Donations
I am so lucky to be able to have a display and donation box at Madison County Ace Hardware in Danielsville.
People can purchase items from the store from my wishlist, get a coloring sheet and crayons for the kids, and leave both monetary and goods in the donation box. Some kind soul added an adorable bed to the box, and it was immediately put to use as a snuggly spot for this baby.
I have also received very generous donations which are turning the new 8’x8′ enclosure into a palace! I’ll post pictures of it when it’s finished, next week. Donations of money or wishlist items from Amazon and Chewy allow me to provide immediate vet care, food, and necessities.
Matching donations
Some companies have a matching donation fund, doubling the amount you donate. Please ask your employer if they offer this. Everything I do is done with donations. I don’t receive a salary, so you know all funds go directly to the animals.
Thanks to all my supporters, well-wishers and helpmates,
I couldn't do this without you!
