In a bizarre and endearing incident that has captured the hearts of many, a real estate agent in Omaha, Nebraska, encountered an unexpected and mischievous houseguest. Kim Doggett was surprised to find that a hungry opossum had helped itself to her entire tuxedo chocolate mousse cake, which she had recently purchased from Costco. The opossum, now famously referred to as the “Cake Bandit,” left a trail of evidence behind, including brown paw prints on her new beige couch and the remnants of the cake on her back porch. This unusual encounter has not only entertained but also rallied support for the opossum, which is now receiving care at the Nebraska Wildlife Rehab.
The story began on a quiet Sunday evening when Kim Doggett asked her son, Hayden, to take some homemade peanut butter balls outside to the deck. With their refrigerator full, storing the treats outdoors seemed like a practical solution, especially during the colder months when the extra space is appreciated. However, when Hayden opened the door, he quickly shut it again, refusing to go back out. His reason? “There’s a possum on your couch,” he exclaimed. Kim initially thought her son was joking, but upon turning on the light and opening the door, she was met with a surprising sight. There, on her couch, was an opossum, panting heavily, with the remains of the Costco cake lying next to it. The cake, nearly intact but for a few crumbs, was almost entirely consumed by the unexpected visitor.
Kim and her son attempted to shoo the opossum away, but it seemed unfazed by their efforts. Reflecting on the situation, Kim couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. “Oh, it ate the Costco cake,” she remarked, noting that the opossum seemed to have enjoyed its indulgent treat. However, her amusement soon turned to concern. Worried that the chocolate might be harmful to the animal, Kim contacted the American Humane Society, which promptly retrieved the opossum and transported it to Nebraska Wildlife Rehab for evaluation. As it turned out, the opossum’s love for cake would prove to be a fortunate twist in its story.
The Nebraska Wildlife Rehab quickly determined that the opossum’s cake-eating escapade had inadvertently saved its life. While the treat didn’t harm the animal, it brought attention to a more serious issue—the opossum was suffering from lead toxicity, a potentially fatal condition if left untreated. Thanks to the intervention prompted by its sweet tooth, the opossum is now undergoing treatment for this condition. Laura Stastny, the executive director of Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, noted that the opossum’s brush with the chocolate cake was a stroke of luck. “It appears that she was lucky to have been caught red-handed, because it allowed her to come to our hospital and get diagnosed with what can become a fatal condition in wildlife,” Stastny explained in an email to CNN.
The opossum’s adventure has not only captured the attention of wildlife experts but has also endeared it to the public. Since its arrival at Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, the center has been flooded with messages of support for the “Cake Bandit.” Fans have taken to social media to express their amusement and solidarity with the opossum’s indulgent moment. “We’ve all been there, girl,” one commenter wrote under a Facebook post by Nebraska Wildlife Rehab. Another added, “I have also begun to (breathe) heavily after eating an entire cake by myself. Maybe not Costco but it definitely has happened more than once. I get it gurl. I get it.” The opossum’s relatable mishap has turned it into an unlikely viral sensation, with many people finding humor and charm in its story.
To celebrate the opossum’s sweet escapade, Nebraska Wildlife Rehab has even designed custom T-shirts featuring the nickname “Cake Bandit.” The front of the shirt showcases the playful moniker, while the back includes a lighthearted summary of the opossum’s rehab admission note: “Opossum was brought in due to having eaten an entire Costco chocolate cake. He was panting a lot, however mobile and alert.” The organization hopes that the T-shirts will not only spread joy but also raise awareness and support for their mission to protect and rehabilitate native wildlife. As for the “Cake Bandit,” its journey toward recovery is progressing well. Stastny shared that the opossum is expected to make a full recovery and will be returned to its natural habitat in a few weeks, likely by the end of March or the beginning of April. While its taste for cake may have led to a bit of trouble, it also brought it a second chance at life—and a place in the hearts of many who have followed its story.
