But according to an Opossum Awareness & Advocacy worker, this perception is changing, although we still see cases of violence towards these animals due to misinformation. “Not everyone sees opossums in the same way and the perception is changing, but for a long time people have believed that opossums were giant rodents that spread rabies, as they look a little like rats. 

Historically people killed them as pests and also ate them. There are places where that behavior has not changed. One of the reasons they are seen as pests is because opossums seek heat in the colder months and can make homes in basements and attics. 

Many horse owners hate opossums because they can carry a virus that can kill horses. Not all of them carry this virus, some get it when they eat another creature that has it. That’s why some horse owners kill opossums on sight. 

Others don’t and take precautions to keep opossums away from anything their horses might eat,” they said. Obviously, there is no need to call animal control (or take more severe measures) when these creatures visit your garden. 

In fact, they are more beneficial than many think. Opossums are the unsung heroes responsible for quietly reducing Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, not only in other animals but also in humans. 

How do they do it? Well, it turns out their favorite snack is not leftover food from your trash can. They prefer to eat ticks and it’s estimated that they eat 5,000 of them in a single season. 

More info: Facebook | opossumpower.org 

 Recently, a trail camera captured a touching moment between an opossum and a deer

Not long ago, the Vermont Wildlife Coalition posted a touching photo showing how useful opossums are at eliminating ticks. 

The picture shows an opossum eating ticks directly off a deer’s face. It quickly went viral, and it perfectly illustrates a symbiotic relationship between two different species, which managed to coexist and help each other. Photo credit: ramendan
It also shows that opossums have a very important task, as they are the “cleaners” of nature. These nocturnal creatures not only eliminate ticks, but also combat pests such as mice, snakes, slugs, and other garden pests. 

They are also not filthy animals as they are believed to be, since they clean themselves as much as cats do. In addition, they rarely contract or spread rabies because of their very low body temperature. Photo credit: James Gates
Although they try in different ways to appear intimidating, they really scare easily. That’s why they play dead, whistle and even pass out when they’re scared. They can also be pretty adorable. Photo credit: Tony Alter
If you encounter them, the best thing is to leave them alone. It is also not recommended to keep them as pets and it is even illegal in many states. Photo credit: born1945
The Opossum Awareness & Advocacy worker said that humans are causing these creatures significant damage by destroying their natural habitat and being misinformed about them. 

“It was very early and my husband shouted at me to go and see something. I didn’t know what he was talking about, but then I saw a tiny koala curled up on top of Asha,” Kerry told News.com.au. “I started laughing. Poor Asha didn’t know what to think, she looked at me in confusion. She even looked guilty when I went outside to see what was going on. It was so funny.” It’s a mystery how the koala ended up with Asha. 

The most plausible explanation is that the baby was separated from its mother, as it is very young. “I think the koala fell out of its mother’s bag and didn’t know what to do. It could have come into our yard and seen the dog on the bed and grabbed Asha because she was nice and warm.” 

“Asha definitely saved his life by keeping him warm. He would have died there alone all night. He could have been taken by a fox or something.” He claims that it was not easy to separate them, as the koala did not want to let go of Asha. 

But the little one is fine. After being taken to the vet, a local koala keeper has kept it until it can be taken back to its habitat. 

The experience was “an amazing thing to see and uniquely Australian.”

Photo credit: Kerry McKinnon / Caters News
Source

This is Meow Meow, a huge hairball from Taiwan. The owner says Meow Meow is also very stylish, as she kept her grace even while in the hospital, treating her hyperthyroidism. 

Of course she continued to hate everything and everyone while she was there, but that’s what makes Meow Meow special. She expresses her dislike of the world with all her dignity. 

 More info: Instagram Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913 Photo credit: Siro0913
Source

Each year, more than 4 million animals are trapped and killed for their fur in the United States. Millions more are trapped and killed in the name of “livestock” and “game” protection and for “nuisance” animal control. 

Whatever the purpose, the consequences for the trapped animals are the same — pain, suffering, and death. Proponents argue that traps are humane and selective, and that trapping is tightly regulated, an important source of income for many people, and necessary for managing wildlife. These claims, however, are far from the truth. 

Despite what trappers would have you believe, animals frequently sustain severe injuries from being trapped. When not killed outright by the trap, animals can suffer physiological trauma, dehydration, exposure to severe weather, and predation by other animals until the trapper returns. 

When the trapper returns he usually clubs, suffocates or strangles the animal to death. Fur trappers rarely shoot trapped animals because bullet holes and blood reduce a pelt's value. The most commonly used trap in the U.S. is the steel-jaw leghold trap, a restraining trap with spring-loaded steel jaws that clamp on an animal's foot or leg when triggered. 

Leghold traps can cause severe swelling, lacerations, joint dislocations, fractures, damage to teeth and gums, self-mutilation, limb amputation, and even death. 

The steel-jaw leghold trap has been declared inhumane by the American Veterinary Medical 

Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the National Animal Control Association, and has been banned or severely restricted by more than 80 countries and 8 U.S. states.

Source