Possum in the heat

[Miss.September]

We found a distressed possum yesterday in our dog pen. We were able to give it some water and then it climbed the tree out of reach.

Later yesterday, we found it again, bit disorientated under the dog's kennel. We caught it in a towel but before we could move it into a box so we could take it to the vet, it had wriggled free. We gave it some more water while we had it. We left out a bowl of water and some fruit and discovered it in a thick bush seemingly asleep. I checked a couple of times and it seemed okay and then we got about 15 minutes of rain. This morning it was gone.

I've just found it again, climbing down the tree, back in the dog pen. This time with the dogs out there. I brought the dogs back inside and have given it more water. It seems much brighter than yesterday.

Is there anything else we should be doing? Should we try harder to catch it or is doing what we're doing enough. He doesn't seem as stressed as yesterday but the fact he was ready to face off the dogs seems a bit off. What do you think?

[AnyDream]

Is it possible it has been visiting the dog pen regularly to drink their water or eat their food? Is it possible that it has a possum nest near the dog pen, in a tree or in a roof or something so that it needs to go through the pen to get to it?

[Miss.September]

I don't think so. We have a tin roof with no roof cavity for it to get into. The trees at that side of the house are small and our beagle would have harmed the possum by now if it was visiting regularly. The dogs are outdoor dogs, only inside at the moment due to the heat. I wonder if it came back to that spot today because we gave it water there yesterday.

[peanutter]

times we've found distressed possums, we've called the RSPCA who've called some possum man person, who has known good safe spots to take them ... ?

not sure if that helps, if this possum seems to live long term near you?

[AnyDream]

I would be leaving out some more water & fruit, well away from the dog pen area if you can

[Arcadia]

Yeah I was wondering the same. We just found a possum with a baby hiding on our deck (not near any trees). I also left out water and fruit.

I don't want to encourage it to come back but this weather is horrendous. I'm hoping the little baby is ok too.

We locked eyes a few times when the thunder just hit. I hope they both find their way back home.

[Miss.September]

Mummy possum turned up on the second last hot day. I left out water for them, the bowl ended up empty and I haven't seen either possum since. Hopefully a bit of extra water was all they needed and they've now moved on.