How to Buy a Pet Opossum

Short-tailed opossums from South America are growing in popularity as exotic pets. Small and generally friendly, the opossum makes a great pet for the right family. As with any other exotic pet, find a reputable breeder, know the laws regulating ownership of the pet and have a knowledgeable vet.

Instructions

1. Decide if an opossum is the right pet for you. Take into consideration your lifestyle, habits, living arrangement and budget. Research pet opossums to see if their personality, needs and care will work for you.

2. Check the state and local laws and regulations to be sure that you can have an opossum as a pet. Some may require permits or disallow opossums as pets.

3. Search online for reputable breeders. Finding a breeder in your area will be an easier transition for your new opossum than shipping and will give you a chance to assess a potential pet. The Know Your STO Web site has a list of breeders by state.

4. Call pet shops in your local area or region to see if they carry pet opossums.

5. Find other opossum owners and ask them about potential places to find and buy a pet opossum. Join online forums at sites like Yahoo! that are on the topic of pet opossums. You may encounter breeders or dealers who have pets for sale.

6. Look in classified ads both off and online. The STO Web site has some classified ads for pet opossums for sale and a list of other classified sites that may list opossums for sale.

7. Select an opossum from a breeder, pet store or another owner. Try to spend some time with your potential new pet before purchasing to check for any red flags in terms of health or personality.