Lort Smith are urging Victorians to take precautions to help keep the number of injured marsupials arriving at our hospital as low as possible.
With possum breeding season now officially underway, animal hospitals across Victoria are expecting to see a significant spike in possums needing urgent and critical care.
Lort Smith Animal Hospital reported 143 possums receiving care across its North Melbourne and Campbellfield sites in 2025. So far this year, more than 100 possums have arrived already, with many more expected in coming months.
Unusual pets and wildlife veterinarian, Dr Nicole Su, said many of them are orphaned.
‘’Baby possums frequently fall or get blown off their mothers’ backs during severe spring storms and high winds. If the mother is startled or attacked, the joey is maybe left behind on the ground,’’ said Dr Su.
‘’As the weather warms up, it is important to remember the effect that roaming cats and off-lead dogs can have on our wildlife. Naive young possums exploring the ground or low branches easily fall victim to pet attacks.’’
Dr Su said many possums are brought in my members of the public.
‘’Spring is also a time of high activity where mature possums fight for territory and nesting roofs. These displacements can force them across busy roads and into unfamiliar yards,’’ said Dr Su.
Lort Smith Animal Hospital is urging those that find possums in distress to:
- Check the Pouch First: If you find a deceased female possum on the roadside, always safely check her pouch if it is secure to do so. Joeys can survive for days inside the pouch of a dead mother.
- Secure the Animal Safely: Approach quietly. Use a thick towel or blanket to gently scoop up the possum, protecting yourself from sharp claws and teeth. Place it into a well-ventilated, secure cardboard box or pet carrier.
- Seek Immediate Help: Take the animal to your nearest open veterinary clinic. Vets treat native wildlife free of charge before coordinating long-term rehabilitation with certified local caretakers.
‘’It is also important to remember that keeping a possum as a pet is illegal,’’ said Dr Su.
‘’The only legal way to house a possum temporarily is if you are a licensed wildlife carer rehabilitating an injured or orphaned animal for release back into the wild. This is to safeguard our native wildlife and ensure that injured wildlife receive the best chanced for returning to the wild.’’
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