Opossums are unique and essential creatures in our ecosystem, playing crucial roles such as controlling pests by eating ticks, cockroaches and cleaning up carrion. Opossums are so often misunderstood yet they are harmlesss gentle creatures who spend their lives simply trying to survive in a world that can be incredibly cruel to them. Opossums are NOT Native to California, they were introduced from The Mid West in 1910 to the city of San Jose, CA. The Opossums were brought because . .  [ ASK SIRI ]. Unfortunate to their circumstance certain individuals from this certain region of the United States considered opossums as nothing more than inexpensive “luxury” at the time.

One year several Opossums escaped from their confines and over time provided the populations of Opossums in California. Now they have become established in much of The North State as they have been ran out of the more dense popular places such as San Francisco & Los Angeles. It is estimated that their average lifespan in the wild is to only be 1-2 Years because they are considered prey and can also be snatched by aggressive birds. But In captivity and with good care Opossums have an extended lifespan of up to 7 years.  

What many people in Southern California and in general don’t know is that Opossums in The North State get cold really easy because they don’t have fur on their little hands and feet; so something many sometimes experience is frostbite.  It’s time we re-evaluate our understanding and treatment of opossums by reclassifying them under unrestricted wildlife in California. This change would allow them to be more welcomed as domestic companions & service animals, fostering appreciation and understanding before any threat of endangerment.

California is known for its progressive approach towards environmental conservation, and revisiting the classification of Opossums is a simple, yet impactful step we can take in that direction. Allowing Opossums to live without restrictive classification can educate communities about their benefits, mitigate any potential nuisance concerns through humane interaction, and promote conservation efforts.

Moreover, integrating Opossums more closely into human environments as accepted and appreciated companions would mitigate myths and misconceptions which may arise due to lack of understanding. Being gentle and shy creatures, they deserve a chance to thrive more appreciated than by a segratory law called “untouchable”, cultivating their rights to happiness & affection and letting that be respected because animals have rights too.

Therefore, we call on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to revise the regulations that limit the way residents can interact with and appreciate these animals. Let us set an example for other states by championing the rights of Opossums while bolstering our ecological understanding and coexistence. Opossums frequently take baths; similar to cats and are Potty Trainable. 

Please support by signing this petition to make Opossums unrestricted wildlife in California. Together, we can ensure these remarkable animals are protected and cherished for years to come.