Winter 2019

MURINE TYPHUS ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO BLAME A PROBLEM SOLELY ON THE OPOSSUM During the week of October 13, 2018 in southern we all awoke to the “Flea poop and opossums are causing a Typhus outbreak in L.A.” Daily Beast https://www.thedailybeast.com/flea-poop-and-opossums-are-causing-a-typhus-outbreak-in-la same frenzied story from newspapers on “Possums Likely Culprit as ‘Niche Disease’ Appears in SoCal Communities”, NBC news our doorstep, TV and online. Opossums https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Possums-Likely-Culprit-as-Niche-Disease-Appears-in- were to blame for the current typhus SoCal-Communities-295251451.html outbreak (formerly known as murine “Opossums Invading American Cities, Sparking Typhus Fever Outbreak” Inside Edition typhus). https://www.insideedition.com/opossums-invading-american-cities-sparking-typhus-fever- outbreak-47903 The headlines included a side article More newspapers headlining the opossum as the culprit for typhus could be found in the Los about a man who suffered from typhus Angeles Times, Long Beach Press Telegram, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, The Orange County Register, along with others. for weeks without his doctors being able to help him. He credits his Blue Shield 65 typhus. A proper regime of antibiotics their pets for fleas and put away trash Plus HMO health insurance company for brought him back from the brink. that may attract infected animals but allowing him to be referred to HealthCare have done little to control the homeless Partners Medical Group’s infectious For those of you who don’t know, Typhus populations of people crowding the disease specialist in Pasadena who is distinct from typhoid fever, a foodborne sidewalks and bike paths of , properly tested and diagnosed him with illness that is rarely contracted within the Long Beach and Pasadena. Los Angeles, United States and can be spread Long Beach and Pasadena have the from person to person. Typhus, highest concentrations of homeless by contrast, cannot be passed encampments and coincidentally, the between people. highest amounts of reported typhus.

Typhus outbreaks are often Typhus spreads when fleas become associated with poor hygiene infected with bacteria known as Rickettsia and overcrowding. Los Angeles typhi (R. typhi) or Rickettsia felis (R. felis). officials say they’re corralling The illness reaches humans when fleas stray animals that could carry bite them or when infected flea feces are fleas, cleaning streets and rubbed into cuts or scrapes in the skin, encouraging people to treat Continued on page 6 Inside This Issue

Mail Pouch...... Page 2 Changes to the OSUS website...... Page 5 Using Cat Litter Boxes...... Page 8 OSUS Member in the News...... Page 9

Visit OSUS at www.opossumsocietyus.org We are all outraged at the stupidity when I get home. of the health department and don’t want the opossum to suffer From what I read it seams like because of this ruling. some moistened cat chow and a shallow water dish will work for Thank you, now.

Madeline Libre, Licensed Any guidance would be Rehabilitator and opossum lover. appreciated of where I can take them for rehabilitation if needed. The Virginia Department Hi Madeline, of Game & Inland Fisheries There eyes are open and they Qis adding opossums to its list of A I just had another wildlife seem to be about 4-5” long. Rabies Vector Species (RVS). Do rehabilitator in Virginia ask us you have any hard data we can the same question. I would advise Justin provide them about why opossums them to look at their own statistics don’t carry rabies and should not which show that opossums are not be considered an RVS? a concern; horses have had more Carolyn Wilder cases of rabies than opossums. President, Wildlife Rescue League See for yourself: I would recommend them looking at their own state’s http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ hardA data on the Virginia environmental-epidemiology/ Department of Health website. rabies-control/rabies-statistics/ The website shows in 19 years of Return to our website and collected data only four cases of I think that if they wish to add look under How To Locate a rabies was reported in possums; more species to their RVS list, WildlifeA Rehabilitator Near You. In they had more reported rabies in there’s a lot more animals that the meantime, I will send you the horses. should be in line ahead of the Orphan Care Diet to sustain them opossum. until you can get help. http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ Leslie Bale environmental-epidemiology/ Leslie President rabies-control/rabies-statistics/ Opossum Society of the United Pls Help: need detail recipe Leslie States for MBD. Recommended diet Hello, I am a landlord and Qhigh quality dog/cat chow-what The health department in my tenant called me this I’m I to look for on ingredient the state of Virginia has just Qmorning and said there was a label? Any advz would be greatly Qput the opossum on the RVS list. dead opossum and that rats were appreciate. The osos 90:10 : are I am looking for any information eating it. This was 10 am. I was the ingredients blended or alone. on the matter. I have been doing scared at first because if rats were opossums for some years and out during the day and eating a any help would be greatly have never had a case of rabies. dead carcass, then I had bigger appreciated- If you have any stats, articles or problems. Turned out to be baby information to helps us change opossums atop their dead mother; thk-you, this matter please forward to me. 3 dead, but 6 alive. I have them in a bucket now with some wood carol chips. I will throw a couple rads in Continued on page 3

2 OSUS www.opossumsocietyus.org If you are thinking of creating a MAIL POUCH continued from page 2 club for your campus during your studies, you would need to check Hi Carol, the recovery time. with administration as to what needs to be done to get approval. AIt sounds like you’ve Leslie After approval has been given, or already read our article on our maybe as part of the approval website about MBD https:// I love the work that you all are process, you will need to find opossumsocietyus.org/metabolic- doing to help the opossums out the student interest in your bone-disease-mbd and you have Qand spread awareness on their campus club. Pick a meeting place a copy of our 90/10 diet. place on our Earth. I’ve always felt and put out flyers or information really strongly about opossums to students online as to who might I offer the ingredients unblended; and have recently thought about be interested. Biology students, placing the 10% supplemental starting an organization similar vet students, agriculture studies food atop the dog chow. Some to this at my university. I was might be prime targets. people find the opossums are wondering what the reception is more inclined to eat if they like in your communities about Once you find out the interest level, moisten the chow and blend it what you all are doing, and any ask if a local wildlife rehabilitation with the vegetables. Softening the tips on starting a community of organization would have someone chow by soaking, then draining opossum lovers at my school. who could talk about opossums, the excess water, is recommended check by county here: for serious MBD cases as their Our reception in the teeth will be loose. Chop the fruit community varies on the https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/ and vegetables finer and blend all peopleA attending our education conservation/laboratories/ together with the soaked chow if presentations. I would say wildlife-investigations/rehab/ their teeth are loose. universally their minds are facilities changed once they are given some All dog and cat food sold in the U.S. background on opossums. I know my biology teacher at is nutritionally balanced; for dogs university let me come back each and cats. Most kibble is around We are a non-profit public semester and guest speak on 18% protein. Choose a kibble with education corporation; lots of opossums until he retired. the highest protein level for the annual paperwork to keep that opossum. Sometimes you can find status in California. Thank you for being interested in brands with 25% protein listed, opossums. choose that one. Serving portions for Juveniles and Adults Leslie Bale As our article states, you must feed a good diet, For 1 juvenile opossum: 1 – 3 Tbsp of mixture There was animal abuse of a supplemented with calcium For 1 adult opossum: 1/4 to 3/4 cup of mixture possum. I contacted an animal (see the 90/10 diet for Qcontrol officer and told them what Always have a bowl of dry kibble available. instructions) for as long as happened basically and he didn’t the opossum was fed a wrong When opossums are placed in outdoors runs, seem to care and they told me is diet. only offer bowl of kibble + mixture in the that more than likely no charges evening. will be filed but the abuse is so bad If you are versed in Adult opossums can be fed dry dog food (90%) I think they need to be. Can I file homeopathics, I can give you with supplements including sardines (to add charges on my own because of the information on how to treat Taurine) eggs, vegetables, fruit, other fish (with abuse? I’m not sure because it’s a an opossum homeopathically bone), chicken bones, etc. wildlife animal and I don’t own it for MBD, which would halve NOT TO EXCEED 10% of the diet. Continued on page 4

3 OSUS www.opossumsocietyus.org such a creature; I also wonder if MAIL POUCH continued from page 3 there’s programming opportunity to get people who are friends of but something needs to be done The FBI is mandating all police wildlife to actively cohabitate. I do about it. They are getting off with agencies to notify them of animal NOT want an animal such as this a slap on the wrist. cruelty cases. for a pet, but rather am interested https://www.fbi.gov/news/ in permaculture and urban Jailey wildlife adaptations. I’d like to be stories/-tracking-animal-cruelty on the forefront of neighborhood I am sorry you are getting the I don’t know what state you live animal accommodation efforts, runaround. in, but in California, the city of Los and think this is a great animal to A Angeles even created an Animal begin with, especially due to the It is not up to Animal Control Cruelty Task Force (ACTF) increase in tick borne diseases, I or the Police to care or to guess perceive mutual benefits. Thanks on whether or not the District http://www.laanimalservices. for hearing me out and pointing Attorney will file charges in an com/laws-policies/animal- me in the right direction! And attempt to prosecute the case. cruelty/ many thanks for your efforts! It is their duty to take a report. Demand a report, if they say no, I’m sorry whatever authorities ~Jess ask to speak to a supervisor, if you are dealing with are decades the supervisor won’t file a report, behind in their education on the Hello Jessica, ask the police to file a report, current laws. if a police officer won’t, ask to A speak to the Sergeant, then the It looks like it’s going to take What a wonderful offer! Lieutenant, then the Captain or a brave, bold, persistent soul Commander, if they still won’t, such as yourself to stand up I’m not sure how the wildlife call the Chief of Police during the and educate the enforcement rehabilitators handle their day and complain to him. Keep agencies governing your area. releases in North Carolina but going up the ladder. I hope we’re giving you enough I know we’re happy to get a information for you to accomplish call from someone offering up MAKE SURE THEY GIVE YOU A that goal. Your persistence could their yard as a release spot for REPORT NUMBER. YOU CAN’T mean the protection for the rehabilitated, releasable wildlife. BE ASSURED THEY TOOK A future of opossums, wildlife and They’ll probably wish to inspect REPORT UNLESS THEY GIVE YOU domestic animals in general by your location for suitability. Please THE REPORT NUMBER. TELL the community enforcing the laws view the link below and select the THEM YOU WILL BE COMING IN they will now become aware of. wildlife rehabilitators nearest to AFTER THE REPORT HAS BEEN you to call. Tell them you have a PROCESSED (a week or so) TO Subject: Getting an opossum .3 acre lot and would be happy GET A COPY OF THE REPORT for our backyard as refug (sic) to accept animals to be released (you will have to pay a fee). Q on your property. Be sure to ask Hello! I recently moved to a them what species and numbers Animal cruelty new house and have observed a would be involved. Wildlife tend to is now a felony decrease in wildlife in our yard as disperse themselves appropriately in all 50 states. compared to other houses I’ve lived but make sure they don’t try to in in NC, and was wondering if saturate your land unnaturally. there’s a way to offer our yard to https://www.ncwildlife.org/ a rehabilitated opossum, we live in Injured-Wildlife#5535106- https://www.dopplr.com/ hickory nc. We have .3 acres that contact-a-wildlife-rehabilitator animal-cruely-laws I would be pleased to share with Continued on page 5

4 OSUS www.opossumsocietyus.org MAIL POUCH continued from page 4

This past Spring there was a Opossums will have 2-3 den the newspaper in it, and transport ‘possum dead under my deck sites they alternate between. to their den for the day. Qwhere I stored firewood. I moved EachA time they stay in the site the pile closer to the woods. I am they will add dead leaves, bags, Replace the newspapers as they happy with the critters as I know and their favorite: newspapers to disappear or get wet. they eat ticks and such. Is there pad and insulate the nest. anything else I can do to help the opossum find shelter for the Leave some wadded up newspaper winter? Thanks! sections along where you’ve seen them walking. They will curl up Stacie their tail like a napkin ring, stuff CATALOG WILL BE DISCONTINUED Due to rising costs in postage, rising cost to make a difference in funding our in gasoline to drive to the post office, the opossum work. Eventually, we hope discontinuance of many merchandise to choose an online business that will items, the unavailability of volunteers take our copyrighted artwork and to help with the mailing, the snail-like handle the manufacturing, advertising, delivery time of even Priority Class mail money collection and mailing of items, resulting in the inability to ship as fast depositing income with us without any as the consuming public expects, we are of our volunteers being involved in the going to discontinue our shipped items process. after April 15, 2019. If there is something you have been We still have t-shirts, opossums toys and putting off buying, we suggest you buy Robert Meyer’s artwork and keychains it now. but don’t make enough on those items NEW PAY TO DOWNLOAD MATERIALS OFFERED

Starting in April, we will have a new Having all this education and training feature on our website that will have material online allows us to easily the new 2018 Orphan Care manual update and add material and notify available to download for $30.00 and the membership and purchasers of will include one year’s membership in the new information available. As a the Opossum Society and vice-versa. member in good standing you will For just $30.00, you will have digital continue to have easy access to all the access to the membership packet, material. orphan care manual, orphan care We believe this will expedite getting video (recently edited), education the information out to the people who slide show & script, and receive the need it most for their rehabilitation quarterly newsletter for one year. work or gifting the bundled features to someone else.

5 OSUS www.opossumsocietyus.org The Opossum Society of the United MURINE TYPHUS continued from page 1 States gets honorable mention on page 269. It mentions how the protest of our according to the U.S. Centers for Disease other agencies stated studies showed group, in front of Orange County Animal Control and Prevention. opossums carried hundreds of fleas, Control in 1988, effectively ended the whereas the research graph (page 274) euthanasia of opossums as a nuisance Typhus causes fever, body aches, stomach showed the highest amount of fleas animal by any governmental agency (yes pain and a rash. Young infants and the found on the opossums studied was 204. we did!). In effect, they said that we tied elderly are the most likely to be affected. I also asked why the same graph showed their hands from being able to control, via Most people recover on their own, but the average amount of fleas found on an euthanasia, the opossum. more severe cases can lead to damage opossum was 96; with a low of 5 and a to the heart, brain and lungs without high of 204 (which I felt would be more Ms. Krueger went on to state that treatment. The infection can lead to death accurate as 200 is the reported maximum California and Texas is where the typhus in rare cases. flea-load found on a cat; cats having is most prevalent. Because of the warm about the same flea-occupying surface climates in both states, fleas develop year Backtracking the information from officials area as an opossum). She advised me that round. Because of this, the Orange County quoted in articles from the newspapers, I the most fleas found on an opossum in Mosquito and Vector Control District of found the information on opossums was the study was 726 but that high number Orange County, CA recommends topical stemming from a published research was excluded to reduce the margin of flea control on all opossums brought into paper, “Identification of Zoonotic error. I asked if the 726 number was rehabilitation. I absolutely agree with her, I and Vector-borne Infectious Agents excluded to reduce the margin of error, have readily available tubes of Advantage Associated with Opossums (Didelphis why would that number be added back in II when doing intake on opossums. Virginiana) in Residential Neighborhoods when quoting facts to the press. Wouldn’t of Orange County, California.” that be purposefully providing a number I reminded Ms. Krueger that two years that increases the margin of error in the ago Los Angeles and San Diego counties It is compiled by several employees information being reported and passed were in the grips of a Hepatitis A from different vector control districts in on to the public? outbreak, which traced back to the over southern California and the Navy Medical 50,000 homeless people who have set Research Center and Centers for Disease I also noted in the report, on page 268- up their own third world encampments. Control and Prevention. It was published 269, a breakdown of how many of those Hospitals and doctors now have testing at the University of California, Davis in fleas collected from opossums tested protocols in place that have greatly 2016. positive for R. typhi was 3%, R. felis was reduced the introduction of Hep A into to 53%, the same ratio was found on pet the community. https://www.researchgate.net/ cats tested. Feral cats tested showed publication/318213539_Identification_ 0% R. typhi and 39% R. felis. The report of_Zoonotic_and_Vector-borne_ mentions that pet cats get their fleas Infectious_Agents_Associated_with_ from feral cats and opossums. It does not Opossums_Didelphis_virginiana_in_ mention why the infected flea load of pet Residential_Neighborhoods_of_Orange_ cats is not a concern. Perhaps they feel it’s County_California 9 an easy fix to deflea pet cats. If it’s such an easy fix, how were they able to find so I was able to get a copy of the paper from many pet cats with a significant flea load? Laura Krueger, Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, Orange I was more concerned with the graph in County, California and we exchanged the paper showing half of the opossums’ emails about the paper. feces tested positive for a Salmonella serovar. I wasn’t aware opossums wouldn’t I asked her why the information she succumb to salmonella when exposed. had been releasing to the press and More research to come on that. Continued on page 7

6 OSUS www.opossumsocietyus.org that would tend to prove what someone MURINE TYPHUS continued from page 6 thinks they already know or if it was a comprehensive investigation to explore Also in the rather than control the human homeless all possibilities of a particular problem. mix are public population. The Opossum Society of the Extrapolating data from a restricted study libraries across United States is here to correct any unjust and ignoring other causation is not very the country villainization of the opossum. revelatory for the big picture. having to shut down I encourage you to scrutinize the original www.iheart.com/content/2018-10-16- to fumigate research of any scientific study to see rats-and-trash-fuel-typhus-outbreak-in- for fleas from the homeless population whether it was conducted in a manner los-angeles-skid-row/ allowed to lounge inside during the day. krcgtv.com/news/local/columbia-library- Opossums are not known to frequent reopens-after-flea-infestation public libraries. www.ksbw.com/article/fleas-shutdown- It is possible that other cities and salinas-library/1054683 counties across the country may try to rally against the opossum and use www.amestrib.com/news/20160928/ this report as justification. The report flea-infestation-forces-library-closure is not comprehensive, nor conclusive. It’s always easy to blame the opossum. forum.prisonplanet.com/index. It’s a lot cheaper to make the solution php?topic=169024.0 exterminating the opossum population

BREAKING NEWS - FEBRUARY 2019

Los Angeles City Hall is overrun with rats. infestation and recent cases of flea-borne staff from this medieval disease, then we typhus. It wasn’t about the opossums. should all pack up and go home.” One employee became sick with typhus. All the carpets in City Hall are going to “Rats are a symbol of this injunction,” Again, opossums are not known to be removed which will cause said Buscaino, who frequent City Hall. If a 2016 injunction another problem for landfills. represents Watts and allows thousands of homeless to set up Non-toxic pesticides are the harbor area. “They their tents on sidewalks downtown from planned for inside, but what are emblematic of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and this allowance of about outside? how we lost control homeless encampments coincides with of the homeless, trash both the Hep A and typhus outbreaks Councilman Joe Buscaino and encampment in Los Angeles, we can draw our own connected the dots between issue. And if we can’t conclusions. a 2016 court injunction, which protect the greatest limited how and when the symbol of our own https://mynewsla.com/ city can seize and destroy the democracy, our own business/2019/02/06/typhus-at-la-city- property of homeless people City Hall, if we can’t hall-fleas-infected-by-rats-all-carpeting- on skid row, and the City Hall rat protect our own junked/

Anyone traveling, shopping or working in any area where there is a noticeable homeless population and subsequently comes down with anything resembling Typhus or Hep A, be sure and notify your doctor so that they NOTICE ! will be alerted to test for those diseases.

7 OSUS www.opossumsocietyus.org USING CAT LITTER BOXES

Litter boxes can be used with opossums 30 grams or more in size. For litter boxes to have a chance of success, their placement and size is crucial. The size of the box is relative to the opossum’s growth and must be upgraded along with their housing as they grow. You can start out with a clean peanut butter jar lid, graduating to a plastic to-go box bottom from dining out to an actual litter box once the litter goes outside for pre- release. The rule of thumb is having a and that the litter issue would have been allergy risk to cats and humans. It is also litter box that three opossums can stand scientifically investigated. important to mention that the Natural in at once. If the litter box is too small, Corn and Wheat Litter make use of no they won’t use it. For adult opossums, the If you’re concerned about the dust thrown silica or clay. Instead, it’s a blend of wood litter box must be large enough to fit the up by clay litters, you can switch to a litter which is biodegradable, inexpensive entire opossum and tail at once. made of wheat or corn – these contain and easy to use. It also has a remarkably no sodium bentonite. While they’re more pleasant odor. Placement is a factor for both the babies expensive than clay litter, they last longer and adults. One side of the litter box and have similar clumping properties. Clumping Clay must be against a covered cage wall or When disposing of used litter of any other surface that offers protection from type, you can reduce your own exposure One of the reasons people go for this being ambushed by another animal. The to dust by slipping the litter box into a type of cat litter is because it’s easy to opossum is vulnerable while eliminating large plastic bag before up-ending it. And clean. The litter is made from bentonite. and likes to not have to worry about since litter typically throws off dust when However, it creates a lot of dust and is not what’s happening on all four sides. The poured into the box, avert your head (or biodegradable. litter box must be distanced by at least wear a mask) when filling the pan. several inches from the feeding/drinking Clay No-Clumping area and the den box area. Make a TYPES OF CAT LITTER triangle configuration as best you can This litter is made from clay as opposed to in a quadrangle cage. An instructional Crystals bentonite. They are not easy to clean and video can be found on our website under require meticulous cleaning. Lastly, Clay General Information, Help for Wildlife These types of litter boxes are expensive No-Clumping is also not biodegradable. Rehabilitators and Vets. and are usually made of silica. They last longer than others and have better Kitty litter is not palatable and whereas Most reports on the possible toxicity control of odor. However, these litter the opossums might “sample” the litter, of kitty litter are anecdotal. There are boxes are not biodegradable. they will quickly spit it back out. Having no studies suggesting that clay litters a litter box set up correctly in a cage or containing sodium bentonite put either Natural Corn and Wheat Litter enclosure will guarantee about a 90% cats or humans (or opossums) at increased use rate from the opossum. There will risk of any health problems. Given the fact These litters are made from recycled corn always be those that don’t use it. A litter that the number of pet cats in the United and wheat. They are biodegradable and box makes scooping urine balls and feces States is upwards of 90 million, if litter don’t clump with little or no dust. It’s easy. We all want things easier, less time- dust were harmful, you would think that easier to collect feces in these boxes as consuming and cleaner for the opossum’s vets would have been seeing more sick they are not dense. However, the main environment, don’t we? cats with illness attributable to the dust problem that this type of litter poses is an

8 OSUS www.opossumsocietyus.org OSUS MEMBER IN THE NEWS OSUS Member Leigh Ann Cooper has the frontier to boom times, and having authored a novel, “Possum Crossing – a experienced whiplash from boom to Tale of a Place in West Virginia” which bust, it is now on the cusp of a new boom. is now available on Amazon.com. Be Despite adversity and abandonment by sure and access the Amazon Smile politicians, Possums, as residents of the website from the Opossum Society of town call themselves, do not give up the United States home page: www. on the mountain state and are poised opossumsocietyus.org so that Amazon to bring prosperity and new glory to will donate a percentage of your her. The story of these proud people is purchases back to OSUS. a story shared by millions in this time of changes occurring with the speed Overview: You’ve all heard the slogan, of light. Possums do not abandon West West Virginia, Almost Heaven. Possum Virginia for greener grass elsewhere, but Crossing is a story about what the they remain to bring about a rebirth of narrator refers to as a real heaven here on better times. earth. It is populated by mountaineers who are hardworking and patriotic Available in paperback, hard cover or citizens of Possum. Like the state as a nook book/kindle. whole, Possum has seen growth from OPOSSUMS IN THE NEWS

Wash and save your old mascara wands to use as a flea and fly blow comb on opossum babies or start a campaign to donate to this wildlife organization, who also shares with others. Watch below video: https://www.facebook.com/dearlysitevideo/videos/1628435630581737/

NWRA SYMPOSIUM — MARCH 5 - 9, 2019 Visit nwrasymposium.org for more information - Register Now Location: St. Louis, Missouri Symposium Hotel: Marriott St. Louis Airport Host Center: Wildlife Rescue Center Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sharon Deem, learn more about the keynote on the symposium webpage

CALIFORNIA COUNCIL FOR WILDLIFE REHABILITATIONS ANNOUNCES 2019 SYMPOSIUM LOCATION AND DATE Dates: November 2 - 4, 2019 Location: Tenaya Lodge, Yosemite Watch their website, ccwr.org, for details

9 OSUS www.opossumsocietyus.org The Opossum Society of the United States Wishes to Thank Our Contributors

Barbara Trevino Pax Vliestra Here is a fun way to help opossums. Combine your two favorite hobbies Rachel Griffiths-Jiannoni - shopping and opossums! Visit our online gift catalog. Follow the links Cris Alvis to some great shopping sites such as Amazon.com and iGive.com. Buy Kate Abate books, videos, music, toys, gifts and lots more! Every purchase you Stephanie Mann-Olson make helps the opossums. OSUS receives a portion of every purchase. Thomas Manning So Spend! Spend! Spend! After all, it is for a good cause! Tell your Margie & Andrew Valdez friends! Remember, you must access Amazon.com and iGive.com from the LINKS on the OSUS webpage in order for us to get credit for your Wendy Gustafson purchase. Do not go directly to Amazon or iGive. Karen Myers Drs. Leslie & Dick Richards Elizabeth Carr OSUS MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL FORM Edith Hoag _____Please find enclosed my tax-deductible donation. Barbara Trevino Susan Lakics ____I want to become a member of O.S.U.S. Cris Alvis ($30 / year U.S/, $40.00 year int’l) Millicent Gary ____ Please renew my membership of OSUS ($30/year) Monica McKeller (Check one of the above) Sharon O’Reilly Stefano Carattini Name: ______Jay & Linda Casselberry Nathan Perry Address: ______Nicole Nickelson – Rest in peace to the possum that was in the road. I am so sorry Telephone: ______and pray that you are with the possum Angels and pain free. Email: ______Barbara Trevino

Julianna Sand – For Geebie..Best Possum Dad Membership is $30.00 annually ever! Marguerite Hargrove Please mail check to: Jennifer Wordham OSUS Cris Alvis P.O. Box 16724 Morgan Taylor – On Valentine’s Day, in Honor Irvine, CA 92623 of Mark Gohlmann and his love for Me & Or register via PayPal online at our website: Marsupials Without our contributors and those members whose www.OpossumSocietyUS.org work generates donations to OSUS, we would not Note: The OSUS membership/email list is never given out to any be able to care for as many orphans, save as many other organization. It is used for official OSUS business only. Your injured or reach so many people with our information on opossums. Good job, and thank you all! Your membership renewal month due is the month you joined. generosity really make a difference.

10 OSUS www.opossumsocietyus.org Opossum Society of the United States P.O. Box 16724 Irvine, CA 92623

Join OSUS and receive ...

Phone Calls and Mail: • Quarterly Issues of ‘Possum Prints. Due to the tremendous volume of messages left • Updated diet/development/medical sheets. on our Board of Directors, • Orphan/Injured care information. Counselor, and City • Veterinarian/emergency care list. Coordinators’ answering • A warm, fuzzy feeling! machines, toll and long distance calls which require an answer will be returned collect. When requesting information from the Society, please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Due to the high volume of mail requests and the cost of postage, the Society can no longer absorb this expense. Donations to defray the costs of printed materials will be accepted at any time. Address correction requested. Postage Guaranteed Please take the time to send us a change of address card when you move so that you do not miss out on any issues of ‘Possum Prints. Printed on recycled paper. Meetings and Events 2019 Event Location Mar 05 - 09 National Wildlife Rehabilitators Symposium (nwrawildlife.org)...... St. Louis, MO Feb 16 – 17 IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation*...... Brownsville, TX Mar 04 – 05 IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation * ...... St. Louis, MO Mar 16 – 17 IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation*...... Kelowna, BC Mar 30 – 31 IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation*...... Murray, KY Apr 06 – 07 IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation*...... Saskatoon, SK Jun 15 – 16 IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation*...... Caroni, Trinidad

* All IWRC courses are described and available to purchase on their website (theIWRC.org)

http://www.opossumsocietyus.org OSUS Board of Directors August 2017-2019 Leslie Bale • (562) 804-3038 • President/Liaison, Official Agencies • [email protected] Leslie Brogan • (818) 255-0925 • Secretary Crystal Norris • Email: [email protected] • Treasurer Melinda Smith • Email: [email protected] • At Large