Readers' Comments
Article:
Sun, Apr 13 | By Alison Hill | 197
ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- The opossum, or possum as it’s commonly known, is probably best known for its ability to fake death. But for many people these animals are little more than pests, and such misconceptions have led to their needless suffering over … more ›
131 results
Christy M.
4 years ago
I've never thought of them as a nuisance. But they do unfortunately get hit by cars around here. Sad to see...
norap p.
4 years ago
I'd never want to see a possum treated inhumanely, but I didn't know their population was in danger? I admire rehabbers but we also need to realize that sometimes nature should be left to take its course--not every wild animal is meant to survive and we need to be careful about when it's right to intervene.
Dstrykr
4 years ago
She must have different types of possums than I have out here. I find them in my feed shed every once in awhile eating my cat food. I'll walk in on them and they will look at me like, ooops, got caught. They are not fearful at all of me. I literally tell them to "whatcha doing, go on now" and they will shimmy down the bench leg and waddle right on pass me out the door. Many people have possums as pets. I can see how possums can be a nuisance to farmers and ranchers as their urine can make horses, cows, sheep and deer deathly sick.
I hope this lady has a follow up on her releases. I wonder how many 1lb possums survive after she releases them?
Meg S.
4 years ago
Possums are rather prehistorical looking, aren't they? I always likes working with possums when I volunteered at a wildlife rehab center. They are quiet and fairly easy to care for and clean. You just have to watch out for their razor sharp teeth.
Being our only marsupial, I find the animal fascinating. I wish Sondra much luck in her educational endeavors.
Heather E.
4 years ago
This article was very informative. I am glad that she is able to help the possums and release them back into the wild. Good job!
Barbara B.
4 years ago
This article was very educational. I thought they were disease ridden like rats. I guess like she said in the article the rat looking tail makes people think that. When I was younger there were alot of rats in alleys by my house and when walking home you would see so many dead from being hit by cars and badly treated and killed by human. I think they are so cute. I like how she kept stating that they are WILD animals NOT pets. And Pepper looks so cute. She should be very proud of herself for doing this even with her own money and her love for animals. That is nice that Pepper lives with her permanetly since he is blind and she uses him to educate people. It looks like he thinks of her as his mother how he lays on her in the video. It's good that he gets around good even though he is blind!
Oldmaidcatwoman
4 years ago
I love that this woman stresses that possum are not pets--they are wild life to be rehabilitated and returned to the wild--where they belong.
Keith
5 years ago
By me, opossums are usually victims of cruelty and harsh rumors. People will hit them on purpose with cars, or shoot them with paintball guns over and over. People also see them and instantly think they are rabid, or will injure there pets because of some large individuals. It's sad because these animals usually are only seen on occasion as they are nocturnal (come out at night only), they dont look to run into us, they are just looking for free food, as we have forced them out of there natural habitat and into urban areas where they are forced to scrounge for scraps form our garbage. Raccoons also face the same fate. Nothing should be treated like this for just trying to survive.
Marta J.
5 years ago
If you have a rehab center near you, volunteer. It's rewarding and fun. I did it for years and loved every minute of it. I got a permit which meant I could bring some babies home with me since they needed to be fed every few hours. I did raccoons ( which were awesome) possums, many birds and a fawn. Many were only kept at the center, like fox, owls, gulls,hawks. Hate to say the possums I had did great until the morning I went to feed them, there was only one left. The last one ate his siblings!
Jessica H.
5 years ago
its great that she knows and educate other people that these are not pets. there are some people that think that what ever animal they get that they can be pets when they should be kept in the wild
Tabetha W.
5 years ago
This is great to hear. It takes a special person to do what she is doing!
Rose3three
5 years ago
I, too, find possums to be interesting animals. I've photographed a couple that used to frequent my back yard. I was amazed how close they would let me get to them. I think it's wonderful someone is helping these awsome critters. I will be getting my Wildlife Rehab license next year and hope to do my part for the possum population as well as for others.
Thebillpayer
5 years ago
Any time someone swerves to kill a creature is a mistake and tragedy in every way. When does it make sense to just kill something because it's in our way.....more like minding it's own business. We could learn so much from wildlife if we just slowed down and appreciated it more. Good for her and her cause.
Mary G.
5 years ago
BRAVO for Ms. Allison. The ignorance of people never ceases to amaze me. Most people do not have a clue that an opossum is a marsupial, they do indeed believe that an opossum is just a big furry rat. And the concept of some ass deliberately killing them on the road is downright repugnant.
They are shy of people, solitary and nomadic and very interestingly they have an incredibly robust immune system and have partial or total immunity to the venom of rattlesnakes, cottonmouths etc, and thanks to their low temperature, rabies is almost unknown in the species.
Let us hope that Sondra Allison's dream of her own rehabilitation center comes true!
Kittypassion
5 years ago
She definitely has a passion and she should continue with her dream. I admire any person that will take care of our creatures.
tsmackley
5 years ago
I never had a very high opinion of possoms, maybe because I grew up on a farm and they can become pests. But, I liked this article and I guess they just do what all wild animals do...as in finding food and such. I once rehabilitated a couple of baby racoons that their mommy got killed and then let them go. All critters can really be amazing if you get to really know them!
Theranddav
5 years ago
I am glad this lady has taken on the huge task of helping the opposum. Our country could use more people like her. She is willing to do all the dirty work herself. All she wants to do is help! I love her already and don't even know her! Keep up the good work!
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