We realize and deeply appreciate that you may have already contributed to your own chosen Australian rescue organization, so our $2 download has been designed to be an extra treat if you find yourself able and willing to contribute $2 in exchange for a phone background featuring Sesame and his Koala cousin. Created especially in solidarity with our Australian rescue friends, the background is a reminder that together we can stand with Australia through this catastrophe. ​

Hello friends and seedlings!! In honor of the Arctic Blast currently sweeping the nation, I have made printable DIY instructions for building your very own Cozy Outdoor Opossum House. Like cats, opossums are very clean animals, and constantly groom themselves. They will keep their living quarters meticulously tidy. Opossums are typically solitary animals, though they are not territorial and coexist nicely with any cats and dogs that do not pose an existential threat to them. Opossums' body temperatures are generally too low to carry rabies, so while it's important to keep a safe distance from wildlife, you can rest assured that their presence is not likely to be a threat to you or your pets. In fact, having friendly neighborhood opossums will often benefit you, as they keep tick, mouse, and rat populations at bay!

As a species, Virginia Opossums have been making their way farther and farther north and often rely on warmth provided by living in close proximity to humans. For instance, they may take refuge from the cold under houses and near machinery warmth. In some regions, frostbite can indicate an opossum's age as professionals use varying degrees of frostbite on ears, fingers, and tail tips to estimate how many winters an opossum has lived through. Cozy insulated housing can help keep opossums (and feral cats) toasty warm.

Supplies:
30 Gallon Plastic Tub
18 Gallon Plastic Tub
Insulation
Bedding (Fleece Blanket or Towel)
Box Cutter 
Duct Tape

Instructions: 
Wrap the sides and bottom of the 18 Gallon Plastic Tub with Insulation. Put the lid on the 18 Gallon Plastic Tub and cover the lid with Insulation.  Place the insulated 18 Gallon Tub inside the 30 Gallon Tub. Put the lid on the 30 Gallon Tub. Use the Box Cutter to cut an entrance hole through both Tubs and the layer of Insulation. Use Duct Tape to cover exposed Insulation and connect the 18 and 30 Gallon Tubs along the hole. 

While the bottom of the housing should be waterproof, it may be a good idea to elevate the house on some bricks. This can keep the shelter removed from snow and slush, and will also keep it off cold ground. Older opossums aren't always great at climbing, so be sure the entrance is still easy to get to for any senior marsupials! You could even make a little staircase by stacking bricks up to the entrance. 

Feral cats and opossums both will appreciate fresh water, and opossums in particular will love any fruit, nuts, or leftovers you leave out! Remember to check your local organizations for TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) programs for feral cats.

Click below to download a printable PDF of the illustrated instructions!

A brand-new, FREE downloadable and printable coloring book!
Featuring ​Sesame and his sweet friends!
Please feel free to download, print, share, and enjoy.

Thank you everyone! It's meant so much to have such support, and we're so happy that Starry Surprise! is fully funded! We've put the order in with the manufacturer and they've let us know they're "putting a rush on it". We should have them in-hand in not too long! 

We'll put them up on the website so you can order them from here, too, or order more if you were only able to claim one on the Kickstarter. Of course, our Kickstarter backers will be the first to have their orders fulfilled and the first to receive the plushes! We've also been busy collecting the names and addresses of your favorite nature centers and wildlife hospitals so we can send complimentary plushes their way. You can always comment here on the blog with requests for places to receive them, or you can email [email protected] as well. Thank you for making this project a reality. We appreciate each and every one of you so much! 

We can't wait to send your Starry Surprises to you!
​

Hi Friends and Seedlings!! It's me, Starry! I've made a kickstarter to mass produce the first Opossum Plush with Seedling Babies! We're calling it Starry Surprise. I'm really excited about it, and one of the many reasons it makes me smile is that if it gets fully funded we'll be sending Starry Surprises to wildlife rescue and nature centers around the world. Doing so will help these centers educate kids and adults about the amazing opossum. Awareness and advocacy are a huge part of encouraging humans to be kind to opossums, and these educational plushes (with pouches and educational tags) will be one more step toward creating a more compassionate world for our America's only native marsupial. 

Please consider joining and supporting the campaign! We would be very grateful to have you, and we would love to send you one of the many Kickstarter rewards, including but not limited to your own Starry Surprise! In addition to populating educational centers, Starry Surprises will be available to the public at $59 retail. Now is your chance to claim one of the very first and support the initial manufacturing of the very first litter. You will be our hero! We have only until Oct 24th to secure full funding (which will mean that this first litter could be in your hands by this winter's holidays!).

Check out the Kickstarter here, and as always, we adore you and are thankful for all your support and love!