Grandma Thinks She’s Been Taking Care Of Three Kittens Until Her Grandson Notices One Of Them Is Not A Kitten At All
When Eric Hertlein went to visit his pet adoption advocate grandma at her Kansas home not long ago, he knew to expect several stray cats on her front porch, where she would always let them hang out. This time, however, one of the funny animals was not like the others. Upon closer inspection, in fact, it wasn’t a cat at all.
Without even knowing, Eric’s grandma had been caring for a small possum the entire time. “She reassured me it was one of her cats,” he told The Dodo. “I told her it wasn’t what she thought it was.” The sweet woman even named him Tete, and though she was shocked to realize the truth, she didn’t mind too much at all. “Well, the possum hasn’t bothered me yet, so I’m OK with him being here!” she reportedly exclaimed.
Eric also found out that Tete had been sleeping outside his grandmother’s door since he was just a baby possum, meaning the cute animal could have been orphaned. Regardless of what circumstances led Tete to the warm and cozy cat bed he now occupies, it seems to be a beneficial relationship for all involved. Scroll down to meet the pet possum for yourself!
P.S.: We strongly advise against taking in any wild animals, as they might be quite harmful.
A Kansas woman known to let stray cats sleep on her porch was recently visited by her grandson, who noticed something unusual
One of her furry friends, whom she called Tete, was decidedly unlike the other cats
In fact, Tete wasn’t a cat at all… He was an opossum, and the grandma had no idea!
“She reassured me it was one of her cats… I laughed for a good five minutes,” Eric said
“She didn’t realize what I was laughing about until I started pointing out the pointy nose and skinny tail. She didn’t realize he wasn’t a cat”
Have you ever struck up an unlikely animal friendship? Tell us about it below!
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I'm bothered by people nagging about the vet. Of course, we should spay/neuter and ensure everyone has been inoculated but c'mon. A nice lady is offering basic shelter to strays. It's a kind, if not the absolute safest, hobby but it's better than animals struggling for food or shelter.
Sure, but if nobody takes them to be spayed or neutered, they will continue to produce more animals struggling for food or shelter.
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This made me laugh. Smart opossum, free lodging. Just make sure about the rabies vaccine for the rest of the furry friends.
Considering the size of that 'possum, I don't think any of those animals have been to the vet for vaccinations or she would have found out much sooner. Many places have free or low cost clinics for spay, neuter, and shots. Unfortunately, some place don't and a lot that do are overwhelmed.
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One of these things just don't belong....can you tell.....hmm hmmm
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my gramma fed anything that came when she took the pan of food out
Possum notes: Ive been here a week...no one seems to notice anything untoward.
We have a Possum that lives in our garage. His name is Odin and he's hilariously fat because he keeps getting into the bird food. He literally just sits there on his fat bottom as the dogs run around him.
I love this story, what a sweet lady to help so many animals S2 I do agree that she should probably get her eyes checked for it must be time to get new glasses, but I'm happy she didn't mind Tete wasn't really a cat ^^
Actually any mammal can carry rabies, it's just very rare in 'possums because their body temperature is lower than is optimal for rabies.
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We have 7 cats indoors and put out feed for ferals. We have about 5 ferals that come to eat and drink, plus possums, coons and skunks. The ferals get along with the coons and the skunks, but give the possums wide berth. We have 2 heated houses and a heated water dish for them in the cold months. All eat dry cat food and they grow quite chubby. None of the wilds are touchable.
always doubters. but the story is great and even when found out was still welcome. so go, Grandma, you are the best and opossum is very happy and they make great pets
We have one that lives in our guest bedroom. They are actually very clean animals. They groom themselves just like a cat does and can be trained to use a litter box
I've been feeding "outdoor pets" for years: raccoons, opossums, foxes, skunks, squirrels.... Some even eat from my hand!
I love it! Possums are great. They help to maintain a clean and healthy environment. They eat all types of insects, including cockroaches, crickets, beetles, etc. They catch and eat rats, roof rats, mice, and they consume dead animals of all types.
Last summer I accidentally left the back door open and one of my indoor cats got out. Hoping to lure him home I would leave a dish of cat food outside each night and call out to him. Each morning the food would be gone. Pretty soon a new "Cat" would come running every time I yelled dinner. I hereby present, "Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!" IMG_2015-5...372aed.jpg 
I have a 'possem and a raccoon who have taken up residence under my house. They come out all the time to raid the cats food bowls I keep on my porch. I can even get with in a foot of either of them as they are so relaxed around us. Even the cats let them eat and just sit there and watch until the critters get their fill.
Oppossums are great, but id be VERY careful feeding raccoons. Not only are they a high rabies risk, but almost all raccoons carry a parasite called bayscarilis pryonicus that causes blindness in adults and death in you children. AND then there's the fact they can also carry feline and canine distemper.
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I also have a raccoon and a possum (or two. often Mama brings her baby to show her where food can be found) who come into my garage through the cat door and share the food for the three cats I call my "rat patrol". The possums are very polite but the raccoon has the worst table manners ever!
Id look at the post I wrote right above yours. Its important to be informed :)
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That possum is in that bed like "I'm riding this train til it gets to the station".
I can't say how happy it makes me that people know all of this stuff about opposums!!! Ive made it my life's work to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals, and in my area, most people just hate them and run them over.
Opossum's get such a bad rep, but trust me you want them around. Just for what they mainly eat and keep out of your house.
We too have a couple of resident possums that hang out for the cat food. Cats don't bother the possums, but heaven forbid another cat stop by!
Well at least they won't have ticks! Seeing as how many ticks they (possums) eat, she's got one awesome yard for furbabies!
i'm new! but i was best friends with a salimander, hummingbird, squirrel and dear! my grandma is awsome!!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Love Meow posted this on its homepage 2 or 3 days ago, GRANDMA NEEDS SOME NEW EYEGLASSES URGENTLY!!! LOL at least the "strange cat"´s well cared for... 😹😹😹💖💖💖
opossums are immune to rabies, for all commenting on getting it vaccinated.
opossum's are not carriers of rabies ...they eat ticks and other pests. they have no real enemies in the animal world..(I hear they taste bad to coyotes and other predators)..My mother just bats her's away from the cat food with a broom...
I kinda agree tbh -- hard to believe, but possible (I guess)
Load More Replies...
I'm bothered by people nagging about the vet. Of course, we should spay/neuter and ensure everyone has been inoculated but c'mon. A nice lady is offering basic shelter to strays. It's a kind, if not the absolute safest, hobby but it's better than animals struggling for food or shelter.
Sure, but if nobody takes them to be spayed or neutered, they will continue to produce more animals struggling for food or shelter.
Load More Replies... This made me laugh. Smart opossum, free lodging. Just make sure about the rabies vaccine for the rest of the furry friends.
Considering the size of that 'possum, I don't think any of those animals have been to the vet for vaccinations or she would have found out much sooner. Many places have free or low cost clinics for spay, neuter, and shots. Unfortunately, some place don't and a lot that do are overwhelmed.
Load More Replies... One of these things just don't belong....can you tell.....hmm hmmm
Load More Replies... my gramma fed anything that came when she took the pan of food out
Possum notes: Ive been here a week...no one seems to notice anything untoward.
We have a Possum that lives in our garage. His name is Odin and he's hilariously fat because he keeps getting into the bird food. He literally just sits there on his fat bottom as the dogs run around him.
I love this story, what a sweet lady to help so many animals S2 I do agree that she should probably get her eyes checked for it must be time to get new glasses, but I'm happy she didn't mind Tete wasn't really a cat ^^
Actually any mammal can carry rabies, it's just very rare in 'possums because their body temperature is lower than is optimal for rabies.
Load More Replies... We have 7 cats indoors and put out feed for ferals. We have about 5 ferals that come to eat and drink, plus possums, coons and skunks. The ferals get along with the coons and the skunks, but give the possums wide berth. We have 2 heated houses and a heated water dish for them in the cold months. All eat dry cat food and they grow quite chubby. None of the wilds are touchable.
always doubters. but the story is great and even when found out was still welcome. so go, Grandma, you are the best and opossum is very happy and they make great pets
We have one that lives in our guest bedroom. They are actually very clean animals. They groom themselves just like a cat does and can be trained to use a litter box
I've been feeding "outdoor pets" for years: raccoons, opossums, foxes, skunks, squirrels.... Some even eat from my hand!
I love it! Possums are great. They help to maintain a clean and healthy environment. They eat all types of insects, including cockroaches, crickets, beetles, etc. They catch and eat rats, roof rats, mice, and they consume dead animals of all types.
Last summer I accidentally left the back door open and one of my indoor cats got out. Hoping to lure him home I would leave a dish of cat food outside each night and call out to him. Each morning the food would be gone. Pretty soon a new "Cat" would come running every time I yelled dinner. I hereby present, "Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!" IMG_2015-5...372aed.jpg
I have a 'possem and a raccoon who have taken up residence under my house. They come out all the time to raid the cats food bowls I keep on my porch. I can even get with in a foot of either of them as they are so relaxed around us. Even the cats let them eat and just sit there and watch until the critters get their fill.
Oppossums are great, but id be VERY careful feeding raccoons. Not only are they a high rabies risk, but almost all raccoons carry a parasite called bayscarilis pryonicus that causes blindness in adults and death in you children. AND then there's the fact they can also carry feline and canine distemper.
Load More Replies... I also have a raccoon and a possum (or two. often Mama brings her baby to show her where food can be found) who come into my garage through the cat door and share the food for the three cats I call my "rat patrol". The possums are very polite but the raccoon has the worst table manners ever!
Id look at the post I wrote right above yours. Its important to be informed :)
Load More Replies... That possum is in that bed like "I'm riding this train til it gets to the station".
I can't say how happy it makes me that people know all of this stuff about opposums!!! Ive made it my life's work to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals, and in my area, most people just hate them and run them over.
Opossum's get such a bad rep, but trust me you want them around. Just for what they mainly eat and keep out of your house.
We too have a couple of resident possums that hang out for the cat food. Cats don't bother the possums, but heaven forbid another cat stop by!
Well at least they won't have ticks! Seeing as how many ticks they (possums) eat, she's got one awesome yard for furbabies!
i'm new! but i was best friends with a salimander, hummingbird, squirrel and dear! my grandma is awsome!!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Love Meow posted this on its homepage 2 or 3 days ago, GRANDMA NEEDS SOME NEW EYEGLASSES URGENTLY!!! LOL at least the "strange cat"´s well cared for... 😹😹😹💖💖💖
opossums are immune to rabies, for all commenting on getting it vaccinated.
opossum's are not carriers of rabies ...they eat ticks and other pests. they have no real enemies in the animal world..(I hear they taste bad to coyotes and other predators)..My mother just bats her's away from the cat food with a broom...
I kinda agree tbh -- hard to believe, but possible (I guess)
Load More Replies... 
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