What Are Some Ways To Humanely Kill An Opossum In A Cage?

Opossums can cause havoc and devastation to certain animals and crops. They can do a number on property too, especially if it is farmland. For this reason, many who trap opossums are inclined to find a humane way to put them down rather than making them someone else’s problem.

One word of caution is necessary. Researching on the internet may convince you to feed the animal a bit of poison in a snack and then let it die off. This is a horrible idea. Poison is never a humane way to go. The animal may be resistant to the poisons and they always suffer. Just don’t go down that road. It is inhumane.

There are other choices for a fast kill that ensures no suffering to the animal. It really depends on your experience and your comfort level in handling the job. The goal is a quick and painless kill. Here are a few choices, depending on your local laws.



Humane Eradication of a Caged Opossum

Of course, the most humane approach is to take the animal to a veterinarian, and have it euthanized. However, this does cost money and there are those who prefer not to foot the bill for euthanasia.

There are also spike mechanisms for just this job. They allow you to reach the animal inside the cage and hold it still. Once you have control of the animal, you press a lever which releases a spike. The spike enters the animal’s brain, killing it instantly.

There are also traps that have these mechanisms built in. It is an automatic kill trap. When the animal enters the cage, it is held still, and a spike is lodged into its brain. Then, you come along and do the clean-up.

Another effective method involves a gun. Of course, you should be a reasonably decent shot to ensure no suffering to the animal. Put the cage outside somewhere and use a gun to shoot the animal in the head. If you aim properly, the animal will be killed instantly and without pain.

Clean-Up

Once the job is complete you will need to clean up the mess. It is always best to wear the proper protective equipment, even when dealing with a dead opossum. They carry many different illnesses and parasites that can make you very sick.

It is also important to clean and disinfect the area properly, especially if the animal was inside a building. Even the droppings they leave behind can help spread diseases so you must take care to protect yourself and clean the area in its entirety.


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