It’s not every day that someone finds an unfamiliar animal in their own yard — especially one so unrecognizable due to its condition.
That’s exactly what happened to Sharon Betrozzi in Folsom, California, when she spotted what she believed to be a sick, elderly dog curled up beneath her porch.
The morning air was cold, and the creature lay motionless against the concrete, barely breathing.
Concerned and unsure of what to do, Sharon contacted City of Folsom Animal Services. As she waited nearby, the animal’s matted fur and shallow breaths only heightened her worry.
A Shocking Discovery Beneath The Porch
By the time animal services personnel arrived, nearly four hours after the creature had lain motionless. They quickly realized this wasn’t a typical stray.
The team gently coaxed the animal out and discovered it wasn’t a dog at all, it was a juvenile coyote in extremely poor health.
A closer look confirmed the truth. Mud-caked fur and emaciated limbs revealed the young coyote was in critical condition. Recognizing the urgency, the officers acted swiftly to prepare her for transport.
A Facebook post from City of Folsom Animal Services later explained that the coyote was suffering from advanced sarcoptic mange, which had severely damaged her skin and left her dangerously dehydrated.
The officers carefully placed her in a ventilated carrier and transported her to Gold Country Wildlife Rescue in Loomis, California.
Before loading her into the vehicle, they gave her the name Princess, and offered gentle words of encouragement for the road ahead.
Fighting To Save Her Life
When Princess arrived at GCWR, staff immediately saw the extent of her suffering. Her eyes were dull, her fur was falling out in clumps, and her skin was raw and inflamed.
They began treatment right away, administering fluids beneath her skin and starting medication to fight the mange and ease her discomfort.
“She was bathed to help remove some of the dead skin and to make her feel more comfortable. The next morning we were pleased to see that she drank all of the water and special diet food we had left with her overnight. She started scratching less and eating more.” said Sallysue Stein, president of GCWR’s board of directors, in an interview with The Dodo.
Over the following days, Princess began to improve. Her caregivers gently removed scabs during medicated baths and cleaned each wound with care.
They monitored her closely, provided soft bedding, and watched as her strength slowly returned.
Before long, Princess was ready to take the next step in her recovery.
Preparing For Life In The Wild Again
Although GCWR determined Princess was healthy enough for release, they didn’t send her straight back into the wild.
Instead, she was transferred to Sierra Wildlife Rescue, where she could regain her instincts among other coyotes.
There, she practiced natural behaviors like stalking through brush and interacting with her peers, all under the supervision of trained wildlife specialists.
In just a few months, Princess had transformed. No longer the fragile creature found under a porch, she was now a strong, alert young coyote ready to return to her natural habitat.
Her release was a powerful moment, a symbol of resilience after everything she had endured.
And though she now roams free, she surely carries the memory of those who gave her a second chance.