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Image by Brad Huchteman

About Us

An opossum in a soft release cage, under the care of a wildlife rehabilitator

Photo: R. Hart, West Dover, VT

We are a diverse community of New England residents 
dedicated to opossums. They benefit us in so many ways, yet are misunderstood and maligned.

 

Our mission is twofold- to unravel the myths and misconceptions surrounding this remarkable creature
and to promote positive social, scientific, and ecological conversations.

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Because we are local we understand the people, the wildlife, and the problems. It is our hope you will join us in our journey to make New England more opossum-friendly. Our marsupial friends, in turn, will help control disease, keep unwanted pests at bay, and help clean up our yards. This is nature's recycling at its finest.​​​

What we do

At New England Opossum, we are dedicated not only to wildlife rehabilitation but also to fostering a deeper understanding of our natural world. We proudly support local students pursuing studies in science, art, writing, and nature-related research through scholarships. Additionally, we offer grants to teachers educating their students on the vital role opossums play in ecosystems. By investing in research and education, we aim to cultivate a sustainable and harmonious relationship between humans and nature for generations to come.

Baby opossums in a cage, under the care of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Photo: R. Hart, West Dover, VT

Our Story

Our journey into the world of opossums

Some years ago, a baby opossum was attacked by a dog and left for dead. We called veterinarians to no avail. I was told she should be given to animal control to be euthanized. There was no clear information about how to find a local wildlife rehabilitator. I even looked online for a vet or a wildlife rehabilitator out of state, but quickly discovered it is illegal to transport an opossum across state lines, even one desperately in need of medical attention.  

We were on our own in an impossible situation. Resources were too far away, too costly, or simply discouraging. We named her Molly.

We were told Molly would not live long given the injuries she sustained. Yet, Molly survived. Since opossums are illegal to keep as pets, after she had miraculously recovered, she was returned to where she was found. I was gifted with frequent visits from her, and she grew into a healthy adult. She lived two years and four months - far longer than she would have without our intervention. In that time, she changed many lives, mine in particular. 

It was towards the end of her life I began discovering a range of life-saving wildlife resources for opossums. I wanted to bring what I learned together for you, to make it easy so you can join me in saving injured and orphaned opossums. This is now my life’s work.  I promised Molly I would do this.

Forest

This was Molly

An opossum under the care of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Photo: P. Askentov, Westfield, MA

Image by Jennifer Uppendahl

Scholarship Support & Charitable Giving

New England Opossum is committed to promoting scientific and ecological awareness, supporting organizations and charitable causes, and granting scholarships to local students and awards to local teachers who are actively pursuing an understanding of nature and wildlife through science, art, writing, research and curriculum development.

 

Our scholarships and awards are dedicated to supporting students and teachers in their pursuit of knowledge and understanding nature, with a particular focus on the study of opossums and their role in the ecosystem. We believe that investing in the education of future generations can help establish a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world.

 

Join us in our mission to spread education, awareness, and compassion.​​

Meet Our Team

Phil

Phil is an opossum enthusiast, which is just a fancy way of saying he’s on a mission to make the world fall in love with nature’s most misunderstood marsupial. He’s dedicated his life to ensuring these gentle, goofy, nocturnal creatures get the love and respect they deserve—because, let’s be honest, if you can’t appreciate an animal that plays dead at the slightest inconvenience, you’re missing out.

Phil’s goal? To change hearts and minds, one person at a time.

Ruth

Ruth is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, which basically means she’s an opossum wrangler. If you’re in the mood for some laughs, just ask her about the time one of those sweet and quirky little joeys tried to scare her off with it's natural defense mechanisms... in the middle of an exam. Spoiler alert: the opossum won and Ruth needed a quick change of clothing!
 

Sue, DVM

Sue is a licensed veterinarian whose favorite wild animal is the opossum. Why? Because other animals are beautiful, mysterious, smart and endearing – but none so much as New England’s only marsupial. And they’re resilient! 

Just a few hours after Sue’s first surgery on an opossum years ago – a mom with 4 babies – she watched the mom climb straight up a wire mesh with two babies on her back and the other two clinging to her belly. If that doesn’t earn respect, what does?

Our Inspiration

Molly
(Aug. 2020 - Dec. 2022)

IMG_7700_edited.jpg

Ravenous Rex
(Aug. 2021 - Jul. 2024)

Opie's Head in my Hand_edited_edited.jpg

Opie
(June 2021 - ?)

Disclaimers

Donations and Charitable Activity: New England Opossum (NEO) is not a tax-exempt organization but is a group of volunteers who support opossum-related nonprofit organizations and charitable causes as part of our mission to educate and raise awareness regarding opossums. NEO does not conduct fundraising on behalf of any individual nonprofit organization. NEO reserves the right to determine which nonprofits and charitable causes receive funds generated by NEO.

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Accuracy Disclaimer: Information provided on this website about Virginia Opossums is intended for general informational purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness or scientific accuracy of all information presented. Readers should verify any critical information before making decisions based on it.

 

Medical Disclaimer: Information on this website regarding the health, care, or treatment of Virginia opossums should not be considered a substitute for professional veterinary, or wildlife rehabilitator, advice. Always consult with a qualified veterinarian, or wildlife rehabilitator, for diagnosis and treatment recommendations tailored to your individual needs.

 

Legal Disclaimer: Content on this website does not constitute legal advice. Any legal information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney. Laws and regulations regarding the protection of Virginia opossums may vary by location; readers should research and comply with local laws and regulations.

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Endorsement Disclaimer: Reference to specific products, services, organizations, or websites on this platform does not constitute endorsement or recommendation unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions expressed on this website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations mentioned or linked to.

 

External Links Disclaimer: This website may contain links to external websites that are not under our control. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of these external sites, nor do we endorse any products, services, or opinions expressed therein. Visitors should access these external websites at their own risk.

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Copyright Disclaimer: All content, including text, images, and multimedia, on this website is protected by copyright law unless otherwise stated. Visitors may not reproduce, distribute, or modify any content from this website without prior written permission.

 

Limitation of Liability: In no event shall we be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or exemplary damages arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this website or the information provided herein, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

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