A team from the Colorado Springs Fire Department quickly and safely pulled out what they believed were eight black puppies. Their relief was palpable, thinking they had saved these tiny lives just in time. But what happened next was completely unexpected.
Shock and Awe
Photo Credit: animalclinicofwoodlandpark
Fire Captain Brian Vaughan shared with Inside Edition that the team initially thought they had found newborn black Labrador Retriever puppies. They were concerned this might be another case of dog dumping. With that in mind, they scanned the area, desperately searching for the mother, but she was nowhere to be found.
After rescuing the little ones from the storm drain, the firefighters took them to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region for care. It was there that the truth came to light—a truth that left everyone stunned. These weren’t puppies at all. They were baby red foxes!
One of the vets at the shelter was the first to break the news. “No, these aren’t Labradors, these are foxes,” the vet explained, leaving the firefighters in utter disbelief. The adorable, dark red-furred creatures that the firefighters had tenderly rescued were, in fact, eight baby foxes.
The realization hit hard. No one had even considered the possibility that these little creatures weren’t puppies. But now, the firefighters were faced with an entirely different scenario.
What Happens Next?
Photo Credit: animalclinicofwoodlandpark
The story quickly spread, with CBS Colorado sharing the unusual turn of events on social media. However, not everyone was surprised by the discovery. Travis Sauder, the Wildlife Manager for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife District, explained that this time of year, it’s not uncommon for wild animals like foxes to have their young in places where humans might stumble upon them.
Caring for the Little Foxes
Photo Credit: animalclinicofwoodlandpark
After identifying the animals as baby red foxes, officials returned them to the storm drain, hoping their mother would come back for them. Unfortunately, the mother never returned. The fox kits were then taken to The Animal Clinic of Woodland Park in Colorado, where they would receive the care and rehabilitation they needed.
The clinic shared an update on Facebook, saying, “A litter of eight red fox kits was found in Colorado Springs and brought up to our great rehabber. Terri is losing sleep feeding them for hours, but so far, so good.” Thanks to their dedication, all the foxes were eventually released back into the wild once they were strong enough to survive on their own.
This incredible rescue story is a reminder of the surprises nature can hold, even when we think we’ve seen it all. The firefighters set out to save puppies but ended up saving eight wild foxes—an outcome they’ll never forget.
