Kind Household Adopts Abandoned Puppy, Turns Out to Be a Baby Coyote

Rim Fire Burns Near Yosemite National Park — GROVELAND, CA - AUGUST 23: A coyote walks across U.S. Highway 120, shut down due to the Rim Fire on August 23, 2013 near Groveland, California. The Rim Fire continues to burn out of control and threatens 4,500 homes outside of Yosemite National Park. Over 2,000 firefighters are battling the blaze that entered a section of Yosemite National Park overnight and is only 2 percent contained. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

It may not be a puppy, but it certainly looks homey.

A "distressed" pup was brought home by a kind household after finding it abandoned on the side of a busy road. However, it turns out that it was actually a coyote pup, according to Mirror. What the family thought was a lost puppy they rescued from the street wasn't actually one at all. They later on surrendered the baby coyote to a local wildlife center to pass the poor animal into their safe hands.

Officials of the Cape Wildlife Center, Massachusetts confirmed it was an Eastern coyote that had been separated from his pack in a Facebook post, which "was then accidentally taken home by a local family after they mistakenly identified him as a lost puppy," they explained.

"After realizing their mix up they called us for assistance. 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," they continued.

According to the wildlife center, the lost coyote is now recovering comfortably in one of their isolation wards, but will not be on his own for long.

An "Easy" Misunderstanding

Since the post, people have been commenting about how they cannot tell the difference at all. Dozens of Facebook followers agreed it was an "easy misunderstanding".

"I can see how it can be mistaken for a puppy. He's really cute," one commented. Several people even shared their own encounter of finding wild coyotes, although some warned they grew up to be aggressive. Meanwhile, others disagreed and said their coyote was "never vicious or even nippy" and happily lived with their family for 16 years.

The lost coyote is soon to be introduced to another baby coyote, according to wildlife officials, a foster sibling has just arrived from @riwildliferehab.

"Once both pups receive their vaccinations they will be raised together and will be given a chance grow and learn natural behaviors in our large outdoor caging," officials said. "We work hard to give them as much of a natural upbringing as possible, and will work to replicate the essential behaviors and skills they learn from mom and dad."

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It Could Have "Gone Differently"

The center explained that the case with the local family was a "happy ending" for the baby coyote, and "could have easily gone differently."

Coyotes, a species of canine native to North America, are considered a Rabies Vector Species or "RVS" in Massachusetts, according to Mass Wildlife. This means they have been identified as the most common carriers of rabies virus and are susceptible to contracting the virus that is deadly to all mammals, including humans. If finders are bitten, scratched, or even extended contact with, it has been mandated to euthanize the pup and test for rabies.

"We are grateful to every single person who takes time out of their day to help wildlife when they are in need, but we always encourage people to call the appropriate resources prior to intervening, it can help keep all involved safe!" the wildlife center reminded.