Arkansas woman rescues newborn "puppy" off the side of the road, but wildlife veterinarians tell her it isn't actually a dog at all

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
May 11, 2026 8:15 AM EDT

When you find a wild baby animal in need, always take proper precautions before approaching and trying to help. Even if it is extremely friend-shaped.

We're not going to lie to you - we probably would have done the exact same thing as this woman from Arkansas if we found ourselves in her situation. It would be impawssible for us to see this poor "puppy" in need and not pull over to help it. Even though we know better than to interfere with wild animals, all logic and rules go out the window when we see an opportunity to help a poor creature that didn't deserve the fate it had been dealt. It's actually how we found one of our family dogs when we were kids! While driving home during a thunderstorm, our mom saw a puppy curled up off the highway. She immediately stopped the car, ran out in the pouring rain, and brought him to the vet. We named him "Thunder", and he was a great doggo.

Not unlike our childhood story, this Arkansas woman found a newborn "puppy" on the side of the road. Too small to survive on its own, she asked the internet for help before taking any serious action, like bringing it home. Thankfully, she discovered how to help it properly. SHe also discovered that it was a puppy, just not one that she could own (no matter how cute it was).

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    Cheezburger Image 10630250240
    via Shaygayson102
  • 02
    was found on the side of a road by itself in arkansas, planning to take it to a rescue
    via Shaygayson102

  • When animals are so small, it's hard to identify them properly. But, we would be amiss if we didn't use our platform to reiterate what we wrote above: before approaching any wild animal, be it a newborn baby or an injured animal in distress, always take proper precautions before attempting to help. Wild animals are unpredictable, especially in high-stress situations. Never touch them with your bare hands, and never take them to your house, especially if you have other pets. Always contact the appropriate authorities, like animal control or a wildlife rescue to help coordinate the rescue and aftercare. 

  • 03
    AbioGenLaughing Man That is a wittle baby coyote.
    via AbioGenLaughingMan
  • 04
    an_actual_coyote She's a coyote puppy, please take her to a wildlife rehabilitator immediately, especially if she had injuries.
    via an_actual_coyote
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10630250496
    via Shaygayson102
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    Begoniaweirdo I found a baby coyote years ago, it was hungry and alone on walk near a river. Once I realized it was a coyote and not a dog (I actually thought it was a German shepherd puppy at first for some reason). I decided to leave it hoping it's mother would come back and find it.
    via Begoniaweirdo
  • 07
    Came back the next day hoping it would be gone but found it in the same area looking even worse, clearly starving.
    via Begoniaweirdo
  • 08
    I put her in a backpack, took her home and fed her. Called around and found a coyote rehab center. They said they would raise her with a new pack and eventually set them all free. Pretty cool experience. Hopefully you can get a similar outcome.
    via Begoniaweirdo
  • 09
    Princess_Glitzy Looks coyote, MAYBE fox but definitely not dog. Call a wildlife rehabber asap.
    via Princess_Glitzy
  • 10
    Confidence-Dangerous Wildlife veterinarian here, this is definitely a coyote and needs to go to a wildlife rescue for appropriate care medical care and rehabilitation. With his eyes opening up, he is needing special ways of feeding that do not make him become imprinted where he associates people with food.
    via Confidence-Dangerous

  • We have an update from the author that she did, in fact, hand over the “puppy” to a wildlife rescue, and they are taking care of its safety. She understood that this was not an animal that she could care for herself, because of its extremely young age, and also that it probably wasn't safe to raise in a human home. We're not sure we would have had her strength.

  • 11
    MeatSweats1942 Looks tired.
    via MeatSweats1942
  • 12
    sadspeckle definitely coyote if i had to guess with no research done at all
    via sadspeckle
  • 13
    Open-Month-6529 For future reference, you should always err on the side of caution when picking up unidentified mammals, and use gloves (towel clothing etc if gloves aren't available) when handling them. Rabies is not something you want to mess around with.
    via Open-Month-6529
  • 14
    Responsible-Unit 784 My first dog was a 6-month-old coyote, I was 5 years old. The most amazing, smart "dog" I have ever known. He was a part of our lives until I was 18. Chico was his name.
    via Responsible-Unit784
  • 15
    Krampjains I was initially going to say it is definitely a fox kit, but then Googled coyote pups and this came up. So, maybe someone more knowledgeable can give you a definitive answer.
    via Krampjains
  • 16
    abhitchc I would have the hardest time not keeping her and raising her alongside dogs. A recipe for disaster, I know... but she's so darn cute.
    via abhitchc
  • 17
    AffectionateBid9221 That second photo is screaming, "release me you mongrel."
    via AffectionateBid9221
  • 18
    ImaDoinWat Um, yes??....we've ruled out dog, but fox pups look a lot like coyote pups. Honestly, based on the muzzle length, I'd say coyote. Fox pups seem to have sliiiiightly longer muzzles as pups based ont he pics I've seen
    via ImaDoinWat
  • 19
    Possession Ashamed372 What an adorable grumpy baby, I'm going with cuddle monster!
    via PossessionAshamed372
  • 20
    Responsible-Race4764 Raise it like a Pokémon and see what it evolves into. But my guess is a yote.
    via Responsible-Race4764
  • 21
    Strange-Library4426 Just have to say - you are kind hearted and also much smarter than me. I would've raised it until I figured out it wasn't a dog and then it would be too late :(
    via Strange-Library4426
  • 22
    PrincessTarakanova Everything that shape and size is a puppy if youre brave enough
    via PrincessTarakanova
  • 23
    MahnaX2_DoX5 Idk, but the distribution system is working as intended. Raise it as one of your own
    via MahnaX2_DoX5
  • 24
    ageaye If not friend, why friend shaped?
    via ageaye
  • 25
    tedthedude There's probably a roadrunner chick somewhere around there too.
    via tedthedude

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dogs wild animals puppy coyote veterinarian arkansas wildlife newborn animals
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