Virginia Opossums are not exclusive to Virginia.

[thedarkwolf]

I had a German Shepherd that used to catch this one opossum and try to bring it into the house. I'd make her put it down in the yard somewhere and 15 minutes later it would be gone. I think they ping the ugly meter so hard the needle comes back around to cute.

I have a dog door and my German Shepherd did bring one into the house. I just picked it up and took it back outside no harm, no foul.

 

[bradley]

Read the article.

They dont carry rabies.

Any mammal can get rabies. From what I read it's fairly rare in opossum. However they are nocturnal and I could never find a complete explanation for seeing them in broad daylight on a beautiful spring day.

Question: If opossums are nocturnal then why do I see one in the day?

Answer: There are a number of reasons for opossum sightings during the day. If it is winter in an extremely cold area, usually covered with snow, then the opossum may be hungry. It is often difficult for an opossum to find food in extremely cold, snowy areas. During sever weather the opossum may stay in a den a few days until hunger drives it out of hiding. The opossum may have to forage for food during the day, often while it is warmer. During the spring or summer months a female opossum laden with young must spend more time foraging for food and may be seen during the day. Also, an opossum’s daytime hiding area may be disturbed, often by the presence of a dog or children throwing a ball into a bush. The frightened animal will run out and search for a new hiding place. Other possibilities include a blind opossum or a sick or injured opossum. If you suspect the opossum is not healthy then contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.

 

[Excelsior]

Here in NC, when I was a kid my Siberian Husky would play with them in the back yard when they played dead. One time he had a young one that had been separated from its mom. We ended up raising it and releasing it some time later. Even took it to show and tell. Imagine taking that to show and tell these days.