At Second Chances Wildlife Center, founder Brigette Brouillard spends her days surrounded by an eclectic mix of wild residents — from bats and skunks to squirrels and opossums. She’s seen it all. Or so she thought.
One day, while walking through the center, a basket of plush toys caught her eye. Nestled among the stuffed animals was something soft, gray … and breathing.
It was Yeti — a small opossum with a big personality — blending in so perfectly that Brouillard did a double take.
“I was so surprised,” Brouillard told The Dodo.
While Yeti has a history of curling up in baskets of plushies for afternoon siestas, this time was different. The basket she’d chosen sat a couple of feet off the ground — well beyond her usual reach.
Somehow, she’d made the climb, claimed the spot, and settled in like it was made for her.
“It’s her default go-to now,” Brouillard said. “It’s soft, it’s cozy, and clearly, she loves it.”
Yeti came to Second Chances in fall 2022 and, because of her special needs, can’t return to the wild. Instead, she’s been given a lifetime sanctuary at the center — and with it, a forever supply of plush toys to snuggle.
Brouillard adores watching her bedtime rituals. “She tucks herself in under her blankets like a little person,” she said. “Sometimes she’s completely hidden, and other times her head and arms poke out — it’s just the sweetest thing.”
Here, safe and cared for, Yeti is living the soft, worry-free life she deserves — one nap at a time.
You can help care for Yeti by donating to Second Chances Wildlife Center.
