There is some critter living in the shrubs outside my door.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

I live in Florida so God knows what it might be. It was making some strange noises. My cats were out there and were actually sort of scared. Then I saw it come out. It was white and I think it's either an opposum, armadillo or a fruit rat.

I don't want it killed or anything - but just taken away. I don't want it biting my cats (or myself for that matter).

[MnFats]

1. i'll bet it's a possum, or opossum, i can never get it right...

if it's white, or dusty gray.
they can be unpleasant if cornered but mostly will flee when they see you.
try to avoid havng to 'put it down,' to use the euphemism.
the odds are way against them anyway.
for instance, with that color they can't hide much from predators. (well, up here they can in the winter, although they have no fur on their tails, nose or ears and are subject to frostbite. See? trouble everywhere they go.)

good luck

[Left_Winger]

2. Try calling animal control in your area

In my town they will trap (or catch) such wildlife and then release it in a natural habitat away from the city.

[nashville_brook]

3. my dogs recently brought a bat in for me

it was injured and flew around until it found a vase a land in where it died. i just found it shriveled. poor thing.

call animal control. they should be able to trap it.

[barb162]

4. if it's an opposum, leave it alone. It will try to escape at night time.

They are nocturnal. This animal wants nothing to do with you or your cats. It only wants peace and quiet and to eat. It won't start a fight asnd the only time they get aggressive is when they are cornered. I know; there are a lot of them around here. This animal probably just didn't make it back to where it lives in time before daylight came and he'll hide out by you until a few hours after dark when things quiet down.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

5. My neighbors did say that they have seen a possum hanging around.

I just hope it doesn't have rabies.

[barb162]

6. My two cents on rabies is that it's highly

"overrated" in this country. A way for the vets and municipalities to make money on shots and city tag taxes. If rabies were so prevalent, how is it humans aren't getting shots for it automatically along with the other shots as kids.. There hasn't been a case of rabies in my country for over 50 years but damned the county wants all pets innoculated always.

[China_cat]

7. Consider yourself lucky

We've had 5 cases so far this year in this county alone. I don't know what it is statewide. Two of them were in pets.

[barb162]

11. I suspect more pets died from the rabies shots than there are

rabies cases... the adverse vaccine reactions. I really doubt you will have trouble with the opposum...good luck

[China_cat]

12. I cannot understand anyone who would rather

see an animal, or a person, die a really ugly death from a preventable disease. I've worked with our animal shelter here for over 30 years and in that time we've had 2 (TWO) deaths from vaccine reactions and neither were from the rabies vaccine.

In that same time we've had over 300 positives for the rabies virus. In one case where a litter of infected kittens were in a pet store. Twenty kids ended up undergoing treatment because of it.

[barb162]

13. The last time my two cats had rabies vaccinations, both got severe

reactions and almost died. Perfectly healthy beforehand. These reactions are highly underreported because the vets and the municipalities don't get their big money if they don't keep finding ways of giving the shots. The vet schools are finally speaking out aagainst the shots in the last few years. In both cases the vets wouldn't report the reactions to the government and I had to do it myself. They don't want to see the database of reactions increased because then how do they make their 20-30 bucks per shot for a five cent dose. If my cats never go outside, how are they going to get rabies? In the shelters I work with, the people aren't getting their animals vaccinated.

Tell me, if rabies is so prevalent, why aren't all humans getting rabiesvaccine shots automatically, just like their pets. Why do we get tetanus boosters every ten years and not rabies shots also.

[China_cat]

14. Because we vaccinate our pets, we don't have to get them

ourselves. Except for people who work with animals. Vets, shelter workers, vet techs, wildlife rehabilitators, game wardens, forest rangers...anyone with high risk of exposure is recommended to get the shots and in this state it is mandatory.

I have to laugh at the idea of 'big money' for vets and municipalities when rabies clinics are held every year that provide the shots for $3 at most and free in certain circumstances (guide, assistance, therapy, etc. animals)

[barb162]

16. Yes , I agree on the money aspect at the rabies clinics. But

the regular vets around here charge about 20-30 bucks for the rabies shot and tag. Then add another $1000 or so to take the cat to the ER clinic where it is all night with IV, fluids, benadryl, x-rays, etc.

[barb162]

17. If you walk outside at night you can get bitten by a rabid bat, right?

Why aren't we all getting vaccinated for rabies then just as we get tetanus shots every ten years.

[China_cat]

18. Why aren't you getting regularly vaccinated

for yellow fever, bubonic plague, a myriad of other diseases? Because you aren't at high risk unless you're going into an area where those diseases are endemic. Then you get the vaccinations.

Pets are more likely to come into contact with wild rabies than are humans...unless the humans work with animals. And then WE GET THE VACCINATIONS.

[lukasahero]

9. Opossums VERY RARELY get rabies

http://www.opossumsocietyus.org/frequently_asked_questions.htm#Do%20opossums%20carry%20rabies?

And lots of good info about them here:
http://www.opossumsocietyus.org/frequently_asked_questions.htm

[RedCloud]

8. Sounds like a Clansman was lurking.

Best call some of the brothers and sisters...

[lukasahero]

10. Re: your cats

Check this out:

"Question: I see an opossum sharing a food dish with my cat. Is this normal?

Answer: Opossums are very opportunistic animals. If food is available, they will eat. We receive numerous pictures of opossums sharing a bowl of cat food with an outdoor cat. Adult cats and opossums seem to tolerate each other. Feeding wildlife is not recommended.

Question: Will an opossum attack my pets?

Answer: It is more likely that a dog will injure or kill an opossum. A cat may attack and kill young rat-sized opossums. Adult opossums and cats seem to have a mutual respect and leave each other alone. In general, opossums are docile, non-aggressive animals and will not attack your pets. They prefer to escape and avoid confrontations, if possible. If not, the threatened opossum may “play ‘possum”, show its teeth, or bite in self-defense, as any animal would."

http://www.opossumsocietyus.org/frequently_asked_questions.htm

[kick-ass-bob]

15. Sorry bout that. I was just trying to

get some pics for the internet.