Sometimes heroes don’t wear capes — they ride in the back of Ubers.
For Meagan Licari, president of the animal rescue organization Puppy Kitty NYCity, an ordinary car ride through New York City turned into a life-or-death mission. In just under a minute, she managed to save not only one life but an entire family — all thanks to a terrified opossum stranded on the edge of a busy highway.
A Heart-Stopping Sight at a Red Light
Licari was on her way through the city when her Uber stopped at a red light. Out the window, something caught her eye: an opossum clinging desperately to a fence overlooking speeding traffic below. One wrong move, and the frightened animal would have fallen into the chaos.
“It really wasn’t a thought process,” Licari said. “It happened so fast. I was like, ‘Oh my God, sir, I need you to pull over. I have to help this animal.’”
Below the fence, a small crowd of bystanders had already gathered. They explained they’d called 311 hours earlier, but no help had arrived. With no time to waste, Licari’s instincts as a rescuer took over.
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The 60-Second Rescue
Climbing up toward the distressed animal, Licari gently scooped the opossum into her tote bag. The entire rescue took less than a minute, but it was enough to completely change the animal’s fate.
Back in the Uber, Licari placed the bag securely in her lap. The driver, stunned by what had just happened, turned to her and said: “You’re brave.”
The opossum, sensing safety for the first time in hours, relaxed in Licari’s arms.
From Highway Hazard to Healing
Licari took the opossum home for the night before transferring her to Wild by Nurture, a wildlife rehabilitation group.
There, vets discovered the animal was suffering from lead poisoning, which explained her disoriented behavior and why she’d been wandering in daylight — unusual for the nocturnal species. With treatment underway, her chances of recovery looked bright.
But there was more.
The rescuers soon realized that the opossum wasn’t alone — she had tiny babies hidden in her pouch. Licari thought she’d saved just one life, but in truth, she had rescued an entire family.
A Second Chance for Mama and Her Babies
Now in safe hands, the mother opossum is receiving treatment while her babies grow stronger. Once healthy, the family will be released back into the wild, where they can thrive naturally.
For Licari, the experience reaffirmed her belief that even misunderstood animals deserve compassion.
“Opossums may look scary, but they’re really docile creatures,” she explained. “They’re great for the ecosystem … [They] really should be left alone unless they need help.”
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Why This Rescue Matters
This extraordinary act of kindness highlights more than just a dramatic save. It’s a reminder that wildlife plays a vital role in urban ecosystems. Opossums, often feared or overlooked, help control pests like ticks and insects, reducing the spread of disease. Protecting them means protecting the environment we all share.
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How You Can Help
Animal rescues depend on community support to keep saving lives. If you’d like to support their work:
✨ One red light, one quick decision, and one tote bag turned Meagan Licari into a hero that day. She may have thought she was saving just one frightened opossum — but in reality, she gave an entire family a second chance at life.
