A hairless animal recently rescued by Hope for Wildlife in Nova Scotia was initially thought to be a Sphynx cat, but it was actually a rare hairless raccoon. Discovered by a couple in their backyard, this northern raccoon, named Rufus, had severe alopecia, with only small tufts of fur remaining around her snout and feet. The cause of her hair loss is still unclear, though an autoimmune disorder is suspected. Despite her condition, Rufus had surprisingly survived through the winter without suffering frostbite. Rescuers were impressed by her feisty survival instinct. Rufus is now being cared for in a shelter and may become a permanent resident with a specially designed habitat to keep her warm.
