She saved more than one life that day
A Hero in the City: Woman Saves Opossum Family Clinging to Life Above Busy Highway
Meagan Licari, known across New York City for rescuing cats and dogs through her nonprofit Puppy Kitty NYCity, never expected her next mission to involve a wild animal clinging to life over a busy highway — or that she’d be saving not just one life, but an entire family.
While riding in an Uber one day, Licari happened to glance out the window as the car paused at a red light. There, perched precariously on a fence above a bustling roadway, was an opossum. One wrong step, and the frightened animal would plummet into traffic below.
Without hesitation, Licari sprang into action.
“It really wasn’t a thought process,” she 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.’”
She hopped out of the car and quickly climbed the fence. Below, a group of concerned passersby told her they had called for help hours earlier — but no one had come. Licari knew there was no time to waste.
In under a minute, she had scooped the opossum into a tote bag and returned to the Uber. Her driver was stunned but supportive, calling her “brave” as they turned around and headed back to her home.
The opossum, sensing safety, settled quietly into Licari’s arms.
After a night of rest, Licari brought the animal to Wild by Nurture, a wildlife rehabilitation center. There, she learned the opossum was suffering from lead poisoning, which had likely disoriented her and caused her to wander into such a dangerous situation in broad daylight.
But the story didn’t end there.
The rescuers made a surprising discovery: the opossum was a mother, carrying tiny babies in her pouch the whole time. What seemed like a single act of kindness had actually saved a whole family.
Now safe and receiving treatment, the opossum and her babies are expected to make a full recovery. Once they’re healthy, they’ll be released back into the wild where they belong.
“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.”
In a city known for its hustle, Licari’s selfless act is a powerful reminder that compassion doesn’t need planning — just the courage to act when it matters most.
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