A baby coyote who was mistaken for a pup is doing well at the wildlife center

The Cape Wildlife Center posted a “puppy date” on Facebook Monday to let people know how a coyote pup who was accidentally brought home by a family is doing.

A few weeks ago, a family in Massachusetts brought home what they thought was a lost puppy they had found on the side of the road, but it turned out to be a coyote pup separated from its mother.

When the family realized their mistake, they contacted the New England Wildlife Center, which took custody of the coyote and brought him to a wildlife center for treatment after he got rid of rabies.

On Monday, the Cape Wildlife Center announced that the coyote pup was introduced to his foster sister and they are getting along well.

The center wrote that the adoptive sister was transferred there by the Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island. He said the little girl was about two weeks younger than the pup and a bit smaller, so they waited for her to catch up to officially introduce the two.

“It was a little slow at first, but once they felt they quickly started to bond,” the center wrote. “A short time they were wrestling and playing with each other, which is crucial for their normal development.”

Due to the size difference, the center said, the puppies are not yet kept together full-time. They just play a few hours a day together to keep bonding.

Once the little girl grows up, the two pups will be kept together in a larger enclosure where the center will provide natural climbing items, enrichment activities and regular health checks.

“Our main goal is to raise the pair as naturally as possible. When it comes time for release, it’s essential that they have the skills they need to survive and have a healthy fear of humans,” wrote the center.

“Having a sibling to model the behavior goes a long way in maintaining their wild instincts and we’re so grateful these two bonded so quickly.”

Yet, it takes a lot of resources to raise puppies well. Each of the puppies will require hundreds of hours of care and cleaning, or around 300 pounds. specialized food, regular veterinary check-ups and preventive drugs and vaccines, the center said.

Anyone interested in donating to the center can do so at this link.