She saved more than one life that day 🥹

By Alana Francis-Crow

Published on May 7, 2025 at 5:53 PM

Meagan Licari, president of Puppy Kitty NYCity, spends her days saving cats and dogs. But when she recently stumbled upon a distressed wild animal, her rescue instincts kicked in and she sprang into action.

The other day, while in an Uber stopped at a red light, Licari looked out the car window and saw an opossum clinging to a fence. One wrong move, and the terrified animal would have fallen into the busy highway below.

In a split-second decision, Licari asked her driver to stop the car so she could get out and see what was going on.

“It really wasn’t a thought process,” Licari told The Dodo. “It happened so fast. I was like, ‘Oh my God, sir, I need you to pull over. I have to help this animal.”

There was a group of people gathered below the opossum. Licari learned they’d discovered the animal hours earlier and had called 311 for help, but no one had come. That’s when Licari knew she had to act quickly — the opossum couldn’t wait much longer.

“I can’t turn my back when I see an animal in distress,” Licari said.

@puppykittynycI can’t even go out without getting into a situation. I was in an uber heading to an event tonight and I see people standing around this poor opossum. I had my driver pull over and I said give me a few minutes! Thank you to the kind people who were there trying their best and helping me not die. They called 311 and of course no one came to help. This opossum was there for hours. He’s safe and back at my garage and if he isn’t hurt I will release him. If you are impressed by the work we do send us a donation! How to Donate: • Text “Vet Bills” to 44-321 for Apple and Google Pay •Venmo – @puppykittynycity – search under business account •PayPal us – info@puppykittynyc.org •Visit our website www.puppykittynyc.org/donate • Comment “DAF” to donate via your Donor Advised Fund!#puppykittynycity#savealife#catsofinstagram#catcrisisnyc#puppykittyopposumcity♬ Aesthetic – Audiodeity

Licari climbed up onto the fence, scooped up the opossum and placed her in a tote bag. The whole rescue was done in less than 60 seconds. Once she had the animal secured, she got back in the Uber and asked the driver if they could turn around and go back to her house.

“I think he was very shocked at first,” Licari said. “And then he was like … ‘You’re brave.’”

Perhaps sensing she was finally safe, the opossum relaxed in Licari’s arms. Licari kept the animal in her home overnight, then transported her to Wild by Nurture, a wildlife rehabilitation group, the next day.

Wild by Nurture informed Licari that the opossum had been suffering from lead poisoning. The toxin often makes animals feel disoriented, which explains why the opossum had been out during the day. But thanks to Licari’s bravery and quick thinking, the opossum is safe, receiving treatment and will feel better in no time.

@puppykittynycMama Lee update! She is doing so well with @wild_by_nurture She saw the vet and it was confirmed she has lead toxicity! Her babies are doing well also! So happy for her! Thank you everyone for the support and kind words! So happy for her and her babies!#puppykittynycity#savealife#catsofinstagram#catcrisisnyc#puppykittyopposumcity#wildlife#wildliferescue#opposumsofinstagram♬ original sound – puppykittynycity

Licari also learned that the whole time the opossum had been with her, she’d been guarding a secret: tiny babies in her pouch. While Licari thought she’d saved just one life, it turns out that she’d actually saved a whole family.

@puppykittynycOur little friend is mom with a pouch full of babies so thank god we got to her when we did! She’s now with @wild_by_nurture for her rehabilitation! If she releasable she hopefully will come back to queens! Follow @wild_by_nurture for more updates! Feel better sweet girl!#puppykittyopposumcity#wildbynurture#opposums#opposumsofinstagram#wildliferescue♬ A Million Colors – Vinih Pray

Once Mama and her babies are strong enough, they’ll all be released into the wild. It makes Licari happy to know she helped protect and nurture New York’s opossum population.

“Opossums may look scary, but they’re really docile creatures,” Licari said. “They’re great for the ecosystem … [They] really should be left alone unless they need help.”

If you’d like to support Puppy Kitty NYCity, you can make a donation here. If you’d like to support Wild by Nurture, you can donate here.

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Couple Touring Empty Home See Old Doghouse In Yard — Then A Sad Face Pops Out

“Honestly, I was just in shock.”

By Alana Francis-Crow

Two years ago, April Morgan and her fiancé, J.C., toured a home they were interested in buying. When they walked into the backyard, they noticed an old doghouse — with a dog inside.

At first, Morgan couldn’t process what was happening. Was the dog there by mistake, or had she been abandoned?

“Honestly, I was just in shock,” Morgan said in a video for The Dodo. “I was like, ‘I have to do something.’”

Morgan was heartbroken when she learned the truth: The house’s previous owners had left their dog behind on purpose. In their real estate purchase agreement, they’d explicitly stated that they were leaving the dog on the property because they didn’t want her anymore.

The dog was 10 years old, and her previous owners had adopted her when she was a puppy. Even after a decade spent together, they tied her up in their yard and abandoned her like she didn’t matter.

Morgan didn’t understand how someone could treat any pet so cruelly, especially one as lovable as the pup she and her fiancé had found.

“When I first met her, I thought she was the sweetest dog ever,” Morgan said.

J.C. let the dog off the leash she’d been tied up with and let her run freely around the backyard. In that moment, the dog seemed to understand that she was finally safe.

For Morgan and her fiancé, the decision to adopt the dog was a no-brainer. They named her Molly and introduced her to their cats and other dogs.

It didn’t take long for Molly to settle into her new routine, which involved lots of frolicking, luxurious baths and cuddle sessions with her siblings.

“[S]he’s just spoiled rotten,” Morgan said.

As much as Molly loves her whole family, she’s developed a special bond with her dad, J.C. Perhaps it’s because he’s the one who first let her off the leash she’d been tied up with.

“She follows him around everywhere,” Morgan said.

It means the world to Morgan to get to provide a warm, loving home for Molly. After everything she’s been through, she deserves to be pampered for the rest of her life.

“It’s just very heartwarming to know that she’s in a safe place,” Morgan said.

To keep up with Molly, you can follow her on TikTok. 

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