From Matt Matthew’s Facebook page:

4 years ago I got into the rehabbing opossums. Something about these kind, loving and misunderstood animals really grabbed my heart. I began learning from the best and the Opossum Pouch years ago to make sure I was capable of taking care of these animals in the correct way because their diets and lifestyles are so unique. Opossums lifespan are 4-5 max and to have one live to that age is nothing short of incredible. My sweet old man, Donovan is 4 years old and today while I was at work I got a call that 4 wardens from Fish and Game were at my home to take Donovan away from me because it’s illegal in the state of Alabama to keep or even rehab opossums as they are “rabies vectors”. Funny thing is, opossums can’t carry rabies and are one of the only mammals who don’t. Myself and all the other wildlife rehabbers KNOW it’s illegal to keep these animals and release is always the goal. Unfortunately, with Donovan release was never an option because of his debilitating disease called metabolic bone diseases. A disease where opossums bones and joints fuse from being fed too much protein and not enough calcium. When he arrived to me as a baby he could barely walk. After years of care, I was successfully able to rehab him and almost reverse his MBD. His spent 4 amazing years with me, my family and he IS such a big part of my life. My baby boy is 4 years old, he requires special care and he doesn’t have much longer to live…. And today the Alabama fish and wild life decided it would be best for him to go with them where he will more than likely be euthanized instead of living his remaining days with the family that loves him and cares for him. You should be ashamed of yourself. Where are the fish and game when we need them for the people illegally killing endangered wildlife? Where are they for the ones fighting dogs for money? You say you have a hearts but you removed an elderly animal being loved and cared for because you think it’s best. Alabama DOESNT KNOW SHIT ABOUT OPOSSUMS OR THEIR CARE. To the evil person that reported me, we know exactly who you are. Please call the Alabama Fish & Game and state government officials and plead for my babies life. This is not fair!