Apple the Fox

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When you look at Clint Parker (Intake 2026-04) today, lounging with a full coat of fur and bright, lively eyes, it’s hard to believe he’s the same coyote the homeowner stumbled upon in her barn just a couple months ago, isn’t it?! The first photo was taken that day. A severe case of mange had left him nearly hairless, very uncomfortable, and vulnerable to the frigid New York winter temperatures. On top of that, he was missing part of a hind leg from an older injury. Upon intake at Cornell University’s wildlife hospital, he was stabilized, received initial treatment for mange, and underwent other important veterinary care, including surgery to extract a broken, infected canine tooth. Afterwards, he made his way here for the next step of his recovery and rehabilitation. Over the past couple months, he has continued to receive good nutrition, parasite treatment, a warm place to rest, and the time his body needed to heal. Time is a gift that many people wouldn’t have given an animal like Clint Parker, which is why I’m so incredibly proud of every key player in his story thus far - his finder, the wildlife hospital, and you guys for all the encouragement after I first introduced him on social media. It truly takes a village. Slowly, the crusty, scabby layer sloughed off, his fur began to return, his weight improved, and finally, his confidence started to come back. Little by little, the handsome coyote hiding underneath all that suffering began to emerge! The second photo was taken on May 30th, approximately three months post-intake. Considering the condition he arrived in, I have a feeling this is the best he has felt in a very, very long time. ✨ Now, the question I know is on everybody’s mind… So, is he going to be released? Well, I can answer that more confidently than I could a couple months ago, but I still don’t quite want to give a public, final answer. Though, I’m getting close. After getting to know him for several weeks, everything I’ve observed continues to point me toward Clint Parker probably not being an appropriate candidate for release due to the combination of his mild mobility impairment, lack of a canine tooth, and naturally gentle, submissive demeanor. If we were dealing with just one of those things, he’d likely still be a candidate for release. It’s the combination of all of them that’s the cause of my hesitation. However, he CAN perform all of his normal day-to-day functions, and this simply isn’t a decision I take lightly, especially when it comes to an adult animal who has already spent several years living successfully in the wild. It’s not fair that those years of freedom may be stripped away from him - especially because, being brutally honest, humans play a role in the vast majority of situations that ultimately leave an animal non-releasable. Plus, being deemed non-releasable doesn’t automatically make every animal a good candidate for sanctuary placement. If we don’t believe an animal can have a good quality of life in captivity - if they’d be plagued with stress every moment of the day - then captivity isn’t the right answer either. Thankfully, that’s never been my concern with Clint Parker. If anything, I’ve truthfully almost been WAITING for him to show me that he’s too stressed by life here, and… he simply hasn’t. He’s been such a calm, well-mannered gentleman throughout his rehabilitation that I’ve joked to a few people that it’s almost like he’s trying to convince me not to put him back out there. 😅 Ultimately, this decision won’t be based on my emotions or what any of us want. Am I a little attached to him after this incredible glow up, and after watching his eyes slowly soften as he learned that I’m a caretaker he can trust? Absolutely. But that won’t guide this decision - it will be based on what I believe gives Clint Parker the highest quality of life possible. That’s the standard he deserves, and it’s the same standard every complex case that comes through our doors receives.