Last year, Kenneth Kick and his wife, Paige, were stunned when an unusual creature suddenly sprinted across their yard. As long-time volunteers with the Wildlife Foster Program (WFP), they’re used to encountering animals in distress — but this one stopped them in their tracks.
The animal was large, hairless, and looked almost unreal, like a rodent from another world.
“They couldn’t believe what they saw,” WFP later wrote on Facebook. “Then came winter, and she was never seen again.”
A Disappearance That Sparked Fear
For months, Kenneth and Paige searched their neighborhood for the strange, naked opossum, but there was no sign of her. Even though winters in Anaheim, California, are relatively mild, they worried she wouldn’t survive without fur to protect her from the cold.
The mysterious animal seemed to have vanished completely.
An Unexpected Second Chance
Everything changed in January 2026. While having dinner with WFP’s founder, Debra Jo Chiapuzio, the couple received a sudden message from their neighbors.
“They’ve seen her again!” the text read.
The rescuers rushed back to the house and searched everywhere, but once again, the opossum slipped away. Disappointed, everyone headed home.
Then, at 3 a.m., Kenneth and Paige’s phone rang.
“The neighbors got her!” WFP announced.
After months of uncertainty, the hairless opossum was finally safe.
Meet Chewy the ‘Chupacabra’
The following morning, the couple transported her to WFP’s headquarters. When they saw her up close, they joked that she looked like a tiny chupacabra — so her caregivers gave her the perfect name: Chewy.
Despite her strange appearance, Chewy was gentle and calm, clearly exhausted but finally out of danger.
Solving the Mystery of Her Hair Loss
Chiapuzio examined Chewy and considered several possible causes for her missing fur.
“Does she have alopecia? While opossums can get that, it usually causes patchy hair loss,” WFP explained. “Her skin isn’t wrinkled, which is often a sign. Other causes could include dermatitis, parasites, malnutrition, or stress.”
While the exact reason remained unclear, one thing was certain — Chewy was in the right place to heal.
From Survival to Strength
Wrapped in a tiny shirt and kept warm in an incubator, Chewy began her recovery. She was given frequent small meals and constant care.
Soon, she surprised everyone with her progress.
“Chewy is eating kitten chow!” WFP shared. “And tomorrow she starts fresh veggies.”
Day by day, the once-frail opossum grew stronger and more energetic.
A Hopeful Road Ahead
By the end of the month, Chewy was healthy enough to move into an outdoor kennel, where she continues her recovery today. Though her fur has yet to grow back and she’s still being treated for several health issues, her caregivers are optimistic.
Kenneth, Paige, and Chiapuzio are now focused on one goal: returning Chewy to the wild, hopefully with a brand-new coat of fur.
“We are feeling very optimistic about her,” WFP wrote.
From a mysterious backyard sighting to a full rescue mission, Chewy’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the strangest creatures need the most compassion — and that second chances can come when you least expect them. 🦝💛