Jessie Tussing, coordinator of Heartland Humane Society, has handled plenty of unusual rescues over the years. But one Friday evening, she embarked on a mission that completely blindsided her.
A call came in about a litter of puppies abandoned beneath a barn. Without a second thought, Jessie grabbed her keys, rallied her two teenage daughters, and set out to investigate.
When they arrived, the trio didn’t waste a moment. Armed with flashlights, they combed through every dark corner of the old barn. With the homeowner’s blessing, they pried up a loose floorboard—and staring back at them were the “puppies” in question.
Not Your Average Puppies
When Jessie carried the little ones into the daylight, she realized something didn’t quite add up.
“I was running through my brain trying to remember what breed of puppy had that coloring. It took me a minute to really realize what I was looking at,” Jessie told The Dodo.
Curious, one of Jessie’s daughters pulled out her phone and started searching. She ran through local species one by one—foxes, raccoons—before landing on a photo that made her gasp.
She turned to her mom and shouted: “Oh my God, Mom!”
These weren’t puppies at all. They were baby coyotes!
A Wild Solution
Jessie quickly contacted experts and looked into the local wildlife center’s policy on coyotes. Since the pups’ bellies were full, she knew their mother must be close by and still caring for them.
The best decision, she realized, was to place the babies right back where they had been found. Jessie and her daughters gently returned the pups and explained everything to the homeowner.
Thankfully, he was very understanding and agreed to let the coyote family stay undisturbed until they relocated on their own—right back into the wild where they belonged.
A Gentle Reminder
This unusual case serves as an important reminder: not every adorable “puppy” should be picked up or handled. If you ever come across baby coyotes, admire them from a distance. Chances are, their mother is nearby and will soon return.
But if you truly suspect they’ve been orphaned, always call local animal control or a wildlife rehabilitation center. Those trained professionals will know exactly how to help.