Bri S.

I first met an educational opossum with a wildlife group when I was 14! I have always loved wildlife but learning that rehab was a possibility was incredible to me. Fast forward many years later after different animal volunteer experiences I was met with the opportunity to learn to rehab (and there was a big gap in the community for opossum rehabbers). I raised babies from being found to release and the gratification of seeing these wild beings go back to nature after having a rough start is such an honor that I will always cherish. Being able to give back to nature is a gift.

Moving to the city I wasn’t sure that I’d still be needed as a Rehabber. I quickly found my community at Wild Bird Fund, Rehabbers across NY via Facebook, and also with the folks at Wild by Nurture in Ithaca. WBF doesn’t have the space for the amount of opossums they get in so I quickly got my license for NY state and rehab their patients, often orphans or opossums with lead poisoning. Fun fact - my first rehab call here was 10 babies found after mom passed! Opossums are in all five boroughs here and in a city that can be extra tough on wildlife, I’m grateful to be a step in getting them back to health to survive and thrive here.