When a kindhearted family spotted what looked like an abandoned puppy on the side of the road, their hearts broke. They simply couldn’t leave the frightened little one alone, so they scooped him up and took him home.
But once inside, they quickly realized something surprising. Their “puppy” wasn’t a puppy at all.
What they thought was a distressed dog turned out to be a baby coyote.
Thankfully, the family did the right thing. They contacted their local wildlife center, ensuring the little wild pup received the care he truly needed.
Turning Him Over To The Experts
The animal was brought to the Cape Wildlife Center (CWF) in Massachusetts. Soon after, the center confirmed on Facebook that the mystery animal was indeed a coyote pup.
“With the help of the Mass Department of Public Health, we were able to determine there was no potential exposure risk to rabies, and were able to clear him for care and granted permission to rehab by Mass Wildlife,” read their post.
The news spread quickly online. Hundreds of people commented, many admitting that it was easy to mistake the coyote for a puppy because of his small size and adorable face.
One person even shared a personal story, saying she once had a coyote-dog mix as a pet and described him as so loving she “wouldn’t have traded him for the world.”
A Safe Place To Grow
The wildlife center explained that they were already caring for another baby coyote, and once both pups are vaccinated, they’ll be introduced to one another.
Together, they will grow up in the safety of the CWF’s outdoor habitats, where they can learn the natural skills and behaviors they would have picked up from their parents in the wild.
The team emphasized their mission to give the young coyotes as natural an upbringing as possible, preparing them for an eventual return to their true home outdoors.
Coyotes, like foxes, skunks, raccoons, groundhogs, and bats, are considered Rabies Vector Species. This means they have a higher chance of carrying the rabies virus, which is fatal to all mammals, including humans.
Had the family been scratched or bitten, the wildlife center would have been required to euthanize the pup to test for rabies exposure. Fortunately, no one was harmed, and the coyote could be rehabilitated without risk.
The Right Way To Help Wildlife
This little coyote’s story ended well, but it serves as an important reminder. If you ever come across wild animals that appear abandoned or injured, do not try to raise them yourself.
Always keep a safe distance and call your local animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center.
These trained professionals know exactly how to help and will make sure the animals get the care they need.
This lucky coyote is now on the path to a healthy future, surrounded by experts who will give him the best start possible.