Sometimes, the most heartwarming animal stories begin in confusion. In downtown Ocean Springs, Mississippi, residents spent weeks trying to catch a strange, hairless creature that had been darting through backyards and hiding under cars.
Thin, leathery-skinned, and covered in dark scabs, the animal had people guessing. Some thought it was a sick dog. Others were convinced they’d found a chupacabra — the mythical creature of legend. But the truth was both simpler and more moving: it was a young fox, suffering from a severe case of mange.
A Mysterious Animal in Trouble
For nearly two months, neighbors watched as the small animal scavenged for food at night and sheltered from the heat by day. Despite dozens of sightings, no one could get close enough to help. That changed when Missy Dubuisson, founder of Wild at Heart Rescue, saw a photo of the so-called monster.
“I told them, ‘Y’all, this isn’t a chupacabra — this is a fox with no fur,’” Dubuisson said. “She’s sick, not scary.”
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Dubussion recognized the signs of demodectic mange, a skin disease caused by microscopic mites burrowing into hair follicles. In healthy animals, these mites are harmless. But stress, heat, or malnutrition can trigger an autoimmune reaction, leading to severe fur loss and infection. “It’s easy to treat,” she said, “but only if someone can catch the animal in time.”
The Mission to Save Her
That task fell to Margaret Raines, a local feral cat rescuer who refused to let the fox die. Knowing that foxes are smart enough to avoid ordinary traps — and that authorities might euthanize her if captured by standard means — Raines built a special one herself.
She camouflaged it with leaves and set up a camera, placing bits of food nearby to slowly earn the fox’s trust. For 50 days, she waited. The fox came close many times, but never quite stepped inside. Instead, she wandered through the neighborhood, fragile but determined to survive.
Then, one July night, it happened. The little animal finally entered the trap. Raines and Dubuisson rushed over and found her curled up inside — frightened, exhausted, but safe.
The Recovery Begins
At the rescue center, the fox received treatment for her skin, pain medication, and a proper meal. For the first time in weeks, she could rest without fear. “She was scared at first,” Dubuisson said. “But she’s realizing now that she’s getting food and care, and she knows we’re not going to hurt her.”
The team expects her to make a full recovery. “Within ten days, we’ll start seeing new fur growth,” Dubuisson explained. “It’s going to be an amazing transformation.”
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Returning to the Wild
Once the fox’s fur grows back and her strength returns, she’ll be released in the same area where she was found — a harbor rich with fish and birds, where other foxes live. “It’s her territory,” Dubuisson said. “We want her to go home healthy and free.”
Her rescuers know she may never understand the effort it took to save her — but they don’t need her to. It’s enough to know that compassion won over fear, and a wild heart got a second chance.
The Bigger Picture
Stories like this remind us how fragile and resilient animals can be. What looked like a frightening mystery turned out to be a creature simply fighting for life. Thanks to patience and empathy, she’ll soon return to the wild — stronger, wiser, and with her beautiful coat back.
For the people who helped her, that’s the real reward: proof that kindness still works, even when it takes 50 days.
