More From the Opossum

This fellow just will not give up! I'm seriously considering one of the ideas presented in my earlier hyperlink that involved a trap and a 20 mile forced relocation of the critter.

I have not been leaving much kitty food out past dark to discourage future opossum visitation to kittyland, but as you can imagine this is not very popular with the kitties. I have increased can food feedings at night because I know they will eat it all up quick but the kitties still seem quite partial to midnight nibbling. Unfortunately so does Mr. Opossum.

In fact Opossum may visit just after dusk or anytime right up to dawn. And he'll often make the rounds several times a night - just in case he missed some I guess.

I have tried to remember to bring in the food dish at evening unless there's not much in it but I'm human and sometimes I forget. Besides when I do the kitties give me mean looks like they're thinking "So what did we do wrong?" Seriously! Once or twice Brownie has taken a swipe at Blackie or Hairy during the extraction of the bowl as if it were their fault I was bringing the dish in. LOL

I tried putting the food dish up on the plastic storage boxes in the carport, knowing the cats can jump that high. Apparently so can opossum. I knew they could climb but I didn't know they could also jump. It seems they can! Or at least that high.

I fed the kitties 3 extra cans just overnight because I could see them on the security cams looking longingly at the spot where the food dish resides during the day, but this is getting sort of expensive. It might be cheaper to just go ahead and let the opossum steal a little kitty food. My worry about setting a trap is that curiosity may get the cat and not the opossum.

One side story. After the 2nd can I was resolved - no more food until dawn. But I noticed Blackie had been drinking quite a bit of water so I went out to refill the water bowl. In bolted Hairy before I knew what had hit me. She made a mad dash to the kitchen, sat in front of the cabinets, and meowed loudly while looking up at the correct cabinet door to the canned food.

Of course I gave in. As I began opening the can she was overjoyed and dancing in kitty circles. As I carried the can outside I don't know how many times she got in my way, perhaps hoping I would just give in and set the can down immediately. She followed me outside, which she almost never does voluntarily once she gets in to the house.

As I opened the door Blackie and Brownie were already seated at the dining spot and getting very excited and a trio chorus of meow, meow, meow ensued as Hairy joined in. As always, in less than 2 minutes it was all gone and they took turns licking the empty plate.

Some time afterwards I caught Mr. Opossum sneaking up but when he saw there was no food to be had he just turned sadly and slowly made his way to the house next door.