Lost, Starved Coyote Puppy Treated By Riverside County Vets

THOUSAND PALMS, CA — A months-old coyote pup found wandering in the Coachella Valley on Friday received some much-needed veterinary care and was put on the road to recovery, animal services officials say. The pup, who was "very dehydrated and underweight," was found by a concerned area resident who brought it to the Thousand Palms shelter.

The male is estimated to be only about 3 months old, according to Riverside County Department of Animal Services Spokesman John Welsh. It's not clear what may have happened to his parents.

"The pup’s mother possibly died and the animal was on its own – but that’s just a theory on our part," he said. "We provided the pup fluids intravenously and, later, some dextrose via a large syringe."

"He really showed more life and looked around and stretched," she said.

Shelter officials reached out to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, as well as The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens in Palm Desert, for suggestions on placement of the pup, and they were referred to the Ramona-based Fund for Animals Wildlife Center.

The nonprofit agreed to take the coyote and continue his rehabilitation, according to Welsh.

"We are already en route to deliver the pup to officials the Ramona organization so it can get continued care," he said.

— City News Service contributed to this report