Help Fund Potato's Life-Saving Surgery

Hi! My name is Payge and I have been a Wildlife Rehabber in WNY for about 2 years officially now. In May 2023 when pulling into my driveway at home late at night, came across a lonesome young opossum. I sat outside with him for a while waiting for his mama, since he was only around 2 months old at the time. His mama never showed up so I took him in to get him bigger before he would be releasable. His release never came, as he never developed the necessary instincts to survive on his own (playing dead, snapping at predators, running away, etc.)

Potato is now a permanent part of our home (in the process of completing his Ambassador paperwork to be part of an educational program) and we couldn’t imagine life without him. On Wednesday June 12 sometime between 6-7am, the only time there isn’t anyone downstairs in my house, he got tangled in his lowest hammock in his cage, effectively cutting off the circulation to his hind foot. While trying to escape, he likely twisted around a lot and ended up severely breaking his femur in two places, as well as gnawing off half of his foot in attempts to escape.

After cutting him out of the hammock, applying pressure and bandaging his foot, he received some on-hand antibiotics and pain medications while we found a vet that could see him.

That day came today, 6/18, and the scans showed the broken femur and the vet stated the break is severe enough alone to require amputation. Adding in the risk of infection from the wound on his foot, it’s doubly necessary.

The quote for this procedure is $1800, including additional medications, post-op care, bloodwork, etc. Unfortunately wildlife rehab is not a paid position, and while I do have a full-time job I cannot afford this extra expense at this time.

Any donations will absolutely be appreciated as time is of the essence for my baby Potato. ❤️