Jessie Tussing, the coordinator at Heartland Humane Society, has handled her fair share of odd rescue calls, so she’s not exactly easy to surprise. But one Friday night delivered a scenario she’d truly never run into before.
She got a report about a bunch of “puppies” thought to be left behind beneath a barn. Jessie didn’t waste a second. She grabbed her keys, scooped up her two teenage daughters, and headed straight out to help.
When they pulled up, the three of them started combing through the old barn with flashlights, sweeping every shadowy corner and peering into anything that looked like it could hide a tiny face. With the homeowner’s okay, they pried up a loose floorboard and found the small animals tucked underneath.
A Shocking Discovery
Jessie gently scooped up the babies and carried them into the daylight. But the moment she saw them clearly, something felt off.
“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.
One of her daughters began searching on her phone for local animal species. She compared pictures one by one—foxes, raccoons, and other small mammals—until she came across a photo that made her gasp.
She looked up and exclaimed, “Oh my God, Mom!”
That’s when Jessie realized the truth. These weren’t puppies at all. They were baby coyotes.
A Wild Plan To Set Things Right
Jessie immediately reached out to wildlife experts and checked the local wildlife center’s policy on handling coyotes.
Since the pups looked healthy and their bellies were full, it was clear that their mother was still nearby, caring for them.
The best course of action became obvious: return them to the exact spot where they had been found. Jessie and her daughters gently placed the babies back under the barn and explained everything to the homeowner.
Thankfully, he understood completely and agreed to leave the den alone so the coyote family could reunite and eventually move on safely.
A Lesson In Wildlife Awareness
This rescue turned out to be a valuable reminder that not every “puppy” needs rescuing. If you ever stumble upon baby coyotes or other wild animals, it’s best to keep your distance.
Their mother is likely close by and will soon return.
If there’s genuine concern that the animals are abandoned or in danger, always contact local animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center for guidance.