Meagan Licari, president of Puppy Kitty NYCity, spends her days saving cats and dogs. But when she recently stumbled upon a distressed wild animal, her rescue instincts kicked in and she sprang into action.
The other day, while in an Uber stopped at a red light, Licari looked out the car window and saw an opossum clinging to a fence. One wrong move, and the terrified animal would have fallen into the busy highway below.
In a split-second decision, Licari asked her driver to stop the car so she could get out and see what was going on.
“It really wasn’t a thought process,” Licari told The Dodo. “It happened so fast. I was like, ‘Oh my God, sir, I need you to pull over. I have to help this animal.”
There was a group of people gathered below the opossum. Licari learned they’d discovered the animal hours earlier and had called 311 for help, but no one had come. That’s when Licari knew she had to act quickly — the opossum couldn’t wait much longer.
“I can’t turn my back when I see an animal in distress,” Licari said.
@puppykittynyc I can’t even go out without getting into a situation. I was in an uber heading to an event tonight and I see people standing around this poor opossum. I had my driver pull over and I said give me a few minutes! Thank you to the kind people who were there trying their best and helping me not die. They called 311 and of course no one came to help. This opossum was there for hours. He’s safe and back at my garage and if he isn’t hurt I will release him. If you are impressed by the work we do send us a donation! How to Donate: • Text “Vet Bills” to 44-321 for Apple and Google Pay •Venmo – @puppykittynycity – search under business account •PayPal us – info@puppykittynyc.org •Visit our website www.puppykittynyc.org/donate • Comment “DAF” to donate via your Donor Advised Fund! #puppykittynycity #savealife #catsofinstagram #catcrisisnyc #puppykittyopposumcity
Licari climbed up onto the fence, scooped up the opossum and placed her in a tote bag. The whole rescue was done in less than 60 seconds. Once she had the animal secured, she got back in the Uber and asked the driver if they could turn around and go back to her house.
“I think he was very shocked at first,” Licari said. “And then he was like … ‘You’re brave.’”
Perhaps sensing she was finally safe, the opossum relaxed in Licari’s arms. Licari kept the animal in her home overnight, then transported her to Wild by Nurture, a wildlife rehabilitation group, the next day.
Wild by Nurture informed Licari that the opossum had been suffering from lead poisoning. The toxin often makes animals feel disoriented, which explains why the opossum had been out during the day. But thanks to Licari’s bravery and quick thinking, the opossum is safe, receiving treatment and will feel better in no time.
@puppykittynyc Mama Lee update! She is doing so well with @wild_by_nurture She saw the vet and it was confirmed she has lead toxicity! Her babies are doing well also! So happy for her! Thank you everyone for the support and kind words! So happy for her and her babies! #puppykittynycity #savealife #catsofinstagram #catcrisisnyc #puppykittyopposumcity #wildlife #wildliferescue #opposumsofinstagram
Licari also learned that the whole time the opossum had been with her, she’d been guarding a secret: tiny babies in her pouch. While Licari thought she’d saved just one life, it turns out that she’d actually saved a whole family.
NEXT UP
@momiblue7