Unexpected Dinner Guests at the Cat Shelter

Here are a couple of guests at dinner one night. If I told anyone about these no one would believe me, so this time I got some photos to prove it. The cats, who are the actual residents, were watching from a respectful distance. The cats don’t object, but the animals do make a mess and knock things over, and slobber in the water dish. Please note that I DO NOT feed these wild creatures and I chase them away when I see them. They are nocturnal, so I make a point of not feeding the cats after dark. I maintain a respectful distance also, especially when they have babies with them. Obviously these critters don’t know the rules.

Hey...what are YOU doing here? — Hey…what are YOU doing here?

The baby opossum is supposed to stay in the mother’s pouch, they are marsupials. I only got this one shot, as the Mom apparently told baby to get back in bed. (I am shooting this photo from inside the house, through the glass door…)

It is against city ordinance to feed wild animals, which incudes opossums and raccoons…even deer, as a matter of fact. Cats, however, are exempted from the ordinance.

Posted

October 22, 2015

Cats & Animals, This and That

Gradmama2011

Tags:

cats, opossums, photography, racoons

Comments

16 responses to “Unexpected Dinner Guests at the Cat Shelter”

Bushka

October 22, 2015

Ahhhh….Yes! Nature will ‘out’. But then, again, they are animals (critters) as are cats and even humans….. 😉

Reply
1. Gradmama2011
  
  October 22, 2015
  
  I talk a lot, but I really am careful to avoid wild animals. As you say, the populations would soon get out of control.
  
  Reply
jacquelineobyikocha

October 22, 2015

Interesting encounter. Feeling them would encourage more visits in higher numbers. Not sure how safe that would be.

Reply
1. Gradmama2011
  
  October 22, 2015
  
  Its also against the law. We have a big wooded area so all sorts of critters live there. I could not afford to feed them, and also it would be a safety factor having them hang around much. I never try to go out among them.
  
  Reply
  1. jacquelineobyikocha
    
    October 23, 2015
    
    I agree with you. I don’t think it’s safe especially on health grounds.
  2. Gradmama2011
    
    October 23, 2015
    
    they might bite ,too, especially if they have babies. here they live in a pretty well contained area, but they do carry disease, or they can. actually I rarely see them, and then usally when it is very cold. it was a huge surprise when these in the photos came out it was winter.
  3. jacquelineobyikocha
    
    October 23, 2015
    
    I can imagine your surprise. I would be very scared to venture near any of them . A bite could mean rabies or all sorts of infection It’s good you are being cautious.
  4. Gradmama2011
    
    October 23, 2015
    
    right, I dont go out when they are out there., in fact the cats keep their distance too.
calensariel

October 22, 2015

We had the same problem when we had a field next to us. No possums, but two big raccoons. Cute, but they can be vicious little buggers.

Reply
1. Gradmama2011
  
  October 22, 2015
  
  oh yes, raccoons are too cute, but I do take due care around them. They do a lot of damage.
  
  Reply
Karen S.

October 22, 2015

When we fed our outdoor groundskeepers, (kitty-cats) on our deck these little critters always came around too! No more feeding on our deck!

Reply
1. Gradmama2011
  
  October 22, 2015
  
  right. I never put out food after dark, and just what the cats will consume.
  
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writersdream9

October 22, 2015

A very neat experience. Good for you in not feeding them purposely!

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1. Gradmama2011
  
  October 22, 2015
  
  its illegal, but I wouldn’t feed them anyway, they do a lot of damage and they can be dangerous
  
  Reply
oneta hayes

October 22, 2015

I probably would do the “dumb” thing and entice them to come around for my enjoyment. They are so cute; I’d love to glimpse that baby again.

Reply
1. Gradmama2011
  
  October 23, 2015
  
  We only got one peek at that baby and I just happened to have my camera ready. I don’t know about the opposums, but raccoons can be a big problem!
  
  Reply