Injured Opossum? How to Keep It Safe Until Help Arrives
An injured opossum by the road, in the yard or in the garage needs two things: to be kept safe and calm, and to get to someone licensed to treat it. You don’t have to do the second part. Here’s how to handle the first few minutes until help arrives.
Signs an Injured Opossum Needs Rescue
Our opossum rescue page lists the signs: an opossum that’s injured, bleeding or can’t walk normally; a mother hit on the road, since young may still be in her pouch; an animal caught by a dog or cat, even if it looks fine; and one out in daylight that seems confused or unable to move away. The Ohio Division of Wildlife also lists open wounds and being attacked by a pet as reasons to get help.
Make sure it isn’t just playing dead. A frightened opossum can lie limp for minutes to hours and then walk away. See opossum playing dead.
Until We Arrive
- Keep kids and pets away. A hurt animal is a frightened animal.
- No bare hands. Tufts Wildlife Clinic advises thick gloves and a jacket if you must handle a wild mammal, since all mammals can carry rabies.
- Cover it loosely with a ventilated box or an upside-down laundry basket. A towel over the top helps.
- Keep it quiet and dark. Less light and noise means less stress.
- No food or water. The Ohio Division of Wildlife says never give food or water to injured or orphaned wildlife, because the wrong food can cause sickness or death.
- Note the exact location. Where it was found matters for release.
If You Must Move It
Sometimes an animal is in traffic or another dangerous spot. Tufts describes placing a thick towel over the animal, gathering it inside the towel, and setting it right into a sturdy box or carrier with a secure lid and air holes. Do this only if it’s safe, and never with bare hands.
What Happens Next
We contain the opossum gently in a ventilated carrier and drive it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for care and, when possible, release. The rehabilitator handles care and release. See why we take opossums to a wildlife rehabber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep it overnight and nurse it?
No. The Ohio Division of Wildlife says it’s illegal to keep wildlife without a permit, and each species has specific care needs.
What if it’s a mother hit on the road?
Call. Young may be alive in her pouch.
My dog caught an opossum. Does it need help?
Call even if it looks fine, since injuries aren’t always visible. See opossums and dogs for keeping pets and opossums apart.
Found an Injured Opossum?
Our Opossum Rescue & Transport service is for opossums that are injured, orphaned or trapped. Call or text 419-614-6445 with a photo and your location, or use our contact page. We contain the animal gently in a ventilated carrier, never with bare hands, and drive it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for care. See opossum rescue. Opossums are the only mammals we rescue.
