WHO WE ARE

Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose goal is to rehabilitate orphaned or injured wild animals and release them back into their native populations.

Much of the wildlife that arrives at the sanctuary is the result a direct conflict with humans; such as being hit by cars, attacked by cats/dogs, or being taken away from their parents by well-meaning, but unknowing humans.

Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary specializes in the rehabilitation, care, and treatment of small mammals, songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, and reptiles.

Possumwood Acres welcomes any and all community involvement from a single visit to actively volunteering. We look forward to welcoming you to the Possumwood Acres Family.

OUR TEAM

Toni O’Neil

Founder, Executive Director

As Executive Director, Toni O'Neil, provides wildlife education programs for local residents or school children using non-releasable raptors and animal ambassadors. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and founded Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary in 2003. Toni is a regular speaker at the annual Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina (WRNC) Symposium every January and serves on the Board of Directors for WRNC as well as an instructor for local community colleges.

Toni O’Neil holds a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Maryland and has been rehabilitating since 1991, holding both state and federal permits. She specializes in songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl but absolutely adores opossums.  She has held administrative and board positions with various wildlife organizations throughout NC, and has been a wildlife instructor for many years. Toni created and taught the Basic and Advanced Wildlife Rehabilitation courses through Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, NC, but retired after 15 years in 2020.  She continues as an instructor for the Wildlife Rehabilitation certificate program offered through the Animal Behavior Institute, Inc. (ABI) and assists with the internship program taught at Possumwood Acres.

She believes in a strong state-wide networking system to assist wildlife rehabilitators at all levels, encouraging them to participate and become involved in reaching out to others.  She believes that communication between rehabilitators is vital to further education, sharing ideas, and keeping up-to-date on the changes in wildlife medicine.  Since 2003 she has been the Founder and Executive Director of Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary in Hubert, NC, and enjoys working closely with the coastal residents of Onslow County. Toni works closely with the Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina (WRNC) since its beginning in 1999 and has been a member of the Board of Directors for over a decade, and currently is the Vice President. She has been a presenter at the annual WRNC Symposium and teaches beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level sessions.

Belle Marshall

  • Raised in Onslow County, 1 of 7 children and she is 2nd youngest!

  • AA degree from Coastal Community College and BS Degree from Lees-McRae in Wildlife Biology with a concentration in Wildlife Rehabilitation.

  • Belle has one cat, likes to paint and draw, loves Indy music, bird watching and potatoes made anyway!

Leah Doane

  • Leah is a graduate of lees McRae college and has her degree in wildlife biology with a specialization in wildlife rehabilitation.

  • When not working you’ll normally find her taking care of her many animals at home.

  • She strives for the health and wellbeing of animals in all environments and is very passionate about conservation efforts.

Kayla Antwine

Graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor degree in Biology, concentration of Ecology & Evolution with a minor in Coastal & Marine Studies in 2022. I interned at PAWS in Spring of 2021. In my free time, I am most likely running my beach house cleaning business Fresh as a Daisy LLC CO., playing with my two rabbits and two cats, or spending hours watering my plants.

Brittany Stadig

I was born and raised in Maine, where I spent much of my time outdoors developing a love for nature and the wildlife within it. In March 2026 I will officially have my bachelor’s degree in Animal Health and Behavior from Unity Environmental University. I began working as an intern at PAWS in January of 2025, becoming an apprentice in April and finally a staff member in July the same year. In my free time I enjoy scuba diving, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with my family.

Michael Gruner

I've lived in North Carolina most of my life, but I'm originally from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where I learned my appreciation for wildlife and nature. I started volunteering at Possumwood Acres in June 2025, and discovered that wildlife rehabilitation was the kind of purpose in life I was looking for and completed the internship program before becoming a staff member in November 2025. I'm currently an apprentice rehabilitator, and particularly enjoy working with the crows and raptors.

In addition to working with the animals, I like fixing anything broken and am always trying to broaden my ability to maintain our equipment and enclosures. My favorite crafty thing to do is putting up perches and making things for animal enrichment.

If I'm not at Possumwood Acres, I'm usually thinking about being there, but I also enjoy spending some of my off days during the Autumn and Winter Months in the woods with the falconers I know, to learn about their birds and handling techniques. 

I have a dog, two cats and a son that I love to death!

OUR LEAD VOLUNTEERS

Lesley Ruble
Lead Volunteer

I was born a long time ago, had a pretty boring childhood. Grew up, got married, had two wonderful sons and retired from too many years at a  customer service management job. Love nature, hiking, being on/near the water.
Now I fill my time scrubbing poopy cages, giving unappreciative sea birds and dirty possums much needed baths, collecting bite/scratch scars like brag-worthy battle wounds, and dose daily life- saving meds to animals who  most likely want to kill me.
And I love it. my motto : you haven't lived properly until you've volunteered with wildlife.

OUR BOARD

Michelle Cox
DVM Director

Dr, Michelle Cox is the owner and veterinarian at Island Pets Veterinary Hospital.  Since she believes in giving back to her community, through Island Pet Veterinary Hospital she and her team provide care and services at a discounted rate for Island Cat Allies and Protectors of Homeless Pets rescue groups and has been known to sponsor fundraisers for animal and human victims of natural disasters.

Ron Paquet

Ron is a retired retail Jewelry store owner, goldsmith and musical Instrument repair technician. Ron's technical skills and business experience make him a great asset to the Possumwood Acres Board of Directors where he has acted as interim Treasurer. He has been instrumental in operations management at PAWS.

Roger McKamey
Vice-President

Roger brings multiple past work experiences to the board table for Possumwood Acres. He has served in the past as a County Representative for a Non-Profit for Responsible Legislation. Roger had been the assistant store manager for a local big box company for several years. He owned his own business for many years before retiring and moving to this area. Here he worked as a Welding Instructor for both Craven Community and Carteret Community Colleges for over 20 years. For the past 5 years he has been involved in the Transport network and assisted with pickup and delivery of injured wildlife for both counties, taking them to Possumwood Acres for care. A frequent visitor to the sanctuary, Roger is always willing to help out in any way possible.