The SOS call came in and there was nothing that could have prepared the Colorado Springs Fire Department for what was about to happen. They headed out to the site and found eight puppies trapped in the sewer the moment they arrived. It was a couple of hours later that they found out the situation was different from what they thought. After all, who would have thought the small creatures weren’t actually puppies?
Job Demands
You probably know this already but let us stress that firemen are not only tasked to put out fires. They also offer their assistance in other situations. The most important thing you should know is that humans are not the only ones they help.
Job Demands
Not Just Fires
Did you know that firemen also help out the communities in numerous other ways? That’s right. You can also trust them to be there in case of medical emergencies, new building inspections, and hazardous material containment. They make up a vital part of the community.
Not Just Fires
Response Time
In an effort to reach everyone in need of help as easily as possible, the Colorado Springs Fire Department has emergency response resources spread out over the city. This is a great idea because they can get to anywhere in the city in 8 minutes most of the time.
Response Time
Equipment
Of course, the fire department must be equipped with the best resources for any situation if they want to offer assistance to those who need it. This is the reason CSFD boasts of 22 engine companies, 3 medical squads, 6 truck companies, a hazmat team, and a HeavyHazmate team. They also have 11 wildland firefighting brush trucks, a hazardous materials decontamination vehicle, a hose wagon, and an air supply truck. Whew! Of course, let us not forget about the personnel they send on emergencies.
Equipment
Just A Normal Day
It started out as just a regular day at the Colorado Spring Fire Department. As expected, they had no idea that the day was going to turn into a peculiar one. This rescue was not going to go as they thought it would. We bet you are eager to find out exactly what happened.
Just A Normal Day
A Call
The CSFD got a call and a request to help out animals. After a couple of minutes, they headed out to do their job. They knew that the sooner they arrived, the quicker they could get the animals to safety. They did not know it at the time, but it was unlike any other cases they dealt with before.
A Call
Precautions
On the topic of rescuing animals, firefighters have certain protocols and precautions to take. Different animals behave differently, so they tend to react in a certain way when they feel threatened. Some of them act more aggressively, so firefighters have to ensure both their safety as well as the animal’s.
Precautions
Always Prepared
With this in mind, they knew that it was important to be careful with their approach. It is important to prioritize their safety above all else. The team did not know what kind of animal they were dealing with, so they needed to be cautious and prepared.
Always Prepared
No Worries
Do not worry, there was no reason for them to fret about this case because they had plenty of experience under their belt. They knew that they could handle these animals, whatever they may be.
No Worries
Assessment
This is why they did not think anything of it AS they rode their truck to head to the location. They saw animals under a storm grate. It was a good thing it did not rain or otherwise they’d have been doomed!
Assessment
The Clock Is Ticking
Luckily, it was not such a big problem if it did not rain. Still, it was important to get them out of there as soon as possible. It was dark, deep, and cold. They had to draw up a plan and get the animals to safety.
The Clock Is Ticking
Quick Thinking
From where they were, the firemen could see how small the animals were. The sewer grate was not that deep, but they still could not get out. Only one or two men were needed to pull them out, and so they started to prepare.
Quick Thinking
First Look
They first raised the storm grate to access the bottom. The animals were crying, and they could hear them clearly. That was when they arrived at the conclusion they were babies! However, how did they even get there?
First Look
No Home
There was no rational conclusion as to how the small creatures would stumble into the storm grate. The animals were so far away from their habitat. Of course, they also wondered where their mother was.
No Home
Abandoned
The firefighters still could not see what these animals were, however. They first tried to understand the layout of the space and figure out where to go from them. They didn’t find a mother or father either.
Abandoned
A Difficult Situation
The firefighters were glad the babies were alive even though it was cold and dirty down there. They didn’t see food as well. They didn’t know if they would be fine, though the least they could do was to help.
A Difficult Situation
Delicate Situation
The firefighters were aware they needed to be careful with their approach. If the mother was around, she could retrieve them herself. However, the mother might return and abandon the babies if they handled them. But time was of the essence, and they needed to make a call.
Delicate Situation
Stressful Moments
The situation was even more difficult because they did not know what animals they would be handling. All they knew was that the babies needed their help. It was important for them to reach a decision.
Stressful Moments
Deciding
They needed to make a tough call. Should they just leave the babies alone and hope the mother returns? Or do they retrieve them now? They knew the babies had no way of escaping by themselves.
Deciding
Investigating
The team would need to take the animals out of there to find out just what they were. They knew that domestic animals would likely require serious attention. Wild animals, however, would likely fare better.
Investigating
The Rescue
Of course, the rescuers slipped on gloves to avoid getting their smells on the babies. They also prepared a sheet by the entrance where they plan to place the animals as soon as they were out of the sewer.
The Rescue
The First
The firefighters took their time reaching down and picking up the first animal from the sewer. They were shocked to see how tiny the creature was! On the sheet, it rolled around without a care in the world.
The First
Man’s Best Friend
Now that they could see what they were dealing with, they realized they were puppies! They could not figure out why the babies were in the sewer, but they were sure the animals weren’t meant to be there.
Man’s Best Friend
Upsetting
The firefighters could not believe their eyes. Could it be that someone put them down in the sewer? We know how owners to abandon their pets. It’s sad, but it is actually more common than it should be.
Upsetting
Cold Hard Truths
The team still hoped that this was not the case because it was heartbreaking to think about what the puppies had to deal with. They started to speed up the rescue in order to get them to safety sooner.
Cold Hard Truths
Easy Solution
Consider this a lesson to all pet owners who decided they could no longer take care of the animals in their homes. It is not all right to leave the animals, especially in such a terrible environment.
Easy Solution
Litter
The firemen could not tell the number of puppies in the beginning, so they had to scoop them all out to be sure. The sewer was not very deep, so it was not that hard for the crew to rescue the puppies.
Litter
Huddle
The pups were likely confused during the rescue mission since they were in a cold and dark sewer one moment and then surrounded by people the next. All of them huddled together for extra warmth.
Huddle
Gathering Information
Still unsure how the puppies got there, the crew began talking to the person who made the call. According to her, the puppies got swept into the storm drain by a stream during bad weather.
Gathering Information
A Sigh of Relief
The firemen had been happy to hear it wasn’t because of evil intentions. This made them see the situation in a new light. It turned out that the puppies were simply too close to the drain at the time.
A Sigh of Relief
Quick To Act
When she saw the pups get swept away, the woman acted right away. She tried to grab them before it happened, but she was not quick enough. She also tried opening the grate but had no tools with her.
Quick To Act
Calling in for Help
When she realized it was impossible to rescue them on her own, she contacted the fire station. They knew what to do and had the tools necessary for the rescue. It was a good thing she knew what to do!
Calling in for Help
One To Remember
The crew felt relieved to learn the truth about the situation. A person noticed animals that need help and did not hesitate to do the right thing. We can only help this is what everyone does in this situation.
One To Remember
Guessing Game
The crew tried to guess the breed of the puppies. They had short, wiry, and black hair, so they thought they were Labradors. They had no clue they were about to learn something surprising about the pups.
Guessing Game
Next Step
When the puppies were finally safe and sound, they had to make sure that they were all healthy and unhurt. They brought the animals to a Humane Society to check if they had any injuries and diseases.
Next Step
Good News
It was good news that the puppies were all relatively healthy. Not only were they not malnourished, but they were pretty strong and healthy. With that in mind, the firemen knew the rescue mission was done.
Good News
Updates
Mark Jenkins, one of the members of the team, gave his number to the doctors. He did this, so they could give him updates about the puppies. However, he could not have guessed what they had to say.
Updates
Interesting News
The vet first told him that the animals were fine and that they did the right thing by bringing them over. However, he also delivered an unbelievable bit of information that nearly made Mark laugh out loud.
Interesting News
The Surprise
The vet then revealed that there was an unbelievable discovery about those eight dogs. It turns out that they were not even puppies! As a matter of fact, they were not even dogs. Mark could not believe this. What were they?
The Surprise
The Explanation
The vet explained to him that the puppies were actually baby foxes! To be specific, they were all red foxes. The vet said they might look very different as adults, but they actually look a lot alike at birth.
The Explanation
Doing Something Good
Mark quickly told the team about the incredible news. None of them could believe it either! They were all so sure they were puppies, but they were wrong. Nonetheless, they were glad they helped the cubs.
Doing Something Good
Returning
Although the baby foxes had been rescued, it was not the end of the story. According to the vet, the mother might still be around the location. If they returned the babies, they might be reunited soon.
Returning
Worth A Try
It might feel like a reversal of the rescue plan, but they knew it was the best thing to do for the foxes. They put them in the drain once more with a little reluctance. They also kept an eye out for the cubs.
Worth A Try
Patience
When the foxes were back in place, the team kept their eyes peeled nearby. They positioned themselves at a safe distance to avoid spooking the mother. It turned into a waiting game as the sun set.
Patience
The Red Fox
The red fox is a cunning animal that primarily stays inside the den in the day and only goes out at night. Unfortunately, they did not see the mother that night. They hoped the next day would be better.
The Red Fox
Western European Fox
Red foxes are the only foxes found in Western Europe. The Arctic fox comes from Scandinavia, while the corsac fox hails from European Russia. You can also tell red foxes apart because of their large size.
Western European Fox
No Show
After quite some time, the mother still has yet to show up. They heard the babies crying in the sewer. Of course, they did not discount the possibility that she was spooked by the earlier events.
No Show
Acceptance
After some time, everyone began to get tired of waiting for her. Several nights later, they assumed she was never going to come back for the babies. They decided it was time to intervene once more.
Acceptance
The Next Move
When they made their decision, it was time for them to make a move. They took the babies out again and delivered them to the Woodland Park Animal Clinic. They would be safe and cared for over there.
The Next Move
Helping Hand
The clinic is known for rehabilitating all sorts of animals. They tend to raise the fox cubs until they become strong enough to look after themselves on their own. However, the story does not end there!
Helping Hand
Learning
The story of the fox cubs might be funny, but it is also pretty educational. The firemen sure learned loads about the animals during the rescue. This is great because they will be even better prepared in the future.
Learning
Less Surprising
Finding the baby foxes was definitely a surprise for the firemen, but animal experts do not feel the same way. They believed that the mother fox mated months before and had only given birth to this litter.
Less Surprising
Perfect Location
Animal specialists also know that foxes are not at all uncommon in the state. Colorado has a significant fox population, after all. The terrain there, all the hills and mountains, is actually ideal for the animals.
Perfect Location
Wildlife In Colorado
Apart from the foxes, there are bears, deer, coyotes, mountain lions and snakes to be found in Colorado. human beings and wild animals can exist together, but it would be best to leave these animals alone!
Wildlife In Colorado
Dark And Cool
It does not sound probable that the mother left the babies in the sewer grate on purpose. However, there might be a reason if she did. Fox dens are cool and dark places, so the sewer grate is fitting.
Dark And Cool
Mistake
Perhaps the mother fox made a mistake by leaving them behind as she found a better den. The sewer might have been cool and dark, but it did not make for a great place to raise the cubs in.
Mistake
Place Of Birth
Slowly, the pieces of the story came together. No one knew how the cubs got there, but there was a chance the mother fox gave birth to them inside the sewer! Even that does not sound like a good idea.
Place Of Birth
Silver Lining
Although they had technically been abandoned, we are sure the foxes will be fine. It sure helps that the cubs were able to undergo rehabilitation when they were young. This bodes well for their future.
Silver Lining
Big Cities
What was surprising about the foxes was the fact that they were in the middle of a city! However, this is not all that uncommon. Animals like to roam in growing cities where buildings overtook their habitats.
Big Cities
Wildlife Encounters
There are certain things you need to avoid to prevent encounters with wild animals. Do not feed them, keep all pet food indoors, and fill holes bigger than a quarter of an inch to ward off bats, rats, and snakes.
Wildlife Encounters
Adapting
Foxes feel more and more comfortable in cities, so some start to think of them as pests. Let us not forget that they are having a more difficult time looking for homes with rapid urbanization.
Adapting
Getting Help
We would like to applaud the woman who made the call. She knew it was better to ask for the help of experts instead of going about it on her own. Animals should be left alone unless you are an expert.
Getting Help
Not All Bad
There are many people who see baby animals by themselves and suddenly assume they need help. This is not always true, however. Newborns are typically left alone for as long as 23 hours in a day!
Not All Bad
Happy Resolution
The fox cubs got the happy ending they deserve. After all, they had a worried stranger go after them and firemen who helped them as best as they could. They even made sure they were all safe and healthy!
Happy Resolution
Keeping An Eye Out
With urbanization taking over the world, let us not forget that animals are struggling to find homes. If you find animals that seem to be out of place, make sure to pick up your phone and ask for help.
Keeping An Eye Out
Anyone In Need
As we’ve said, firefighters are heroes who go above and beyond to save both people and animal’s lives. Firefighters do whatever they can to rescue any and all animals in need. Take a peek at these heartwarming photos!
Anyone In Need
Moments Like This…
Saving an animal’s life may not seem like the biggest deal to the rescuer, but to the owner, it truly is. This older person was thrilled to have her cat back, and the black labrador was glad as well! What a sweet reunion!
Moments Like This…
In The Arms Of An Angel
Animals who suffer smoke inhalation are often given oxygen masks. Although they were originally designed for humans, they can be used for small to medium-sized animals as well…who knew!
In The Arms Of An Angel
Breathing New Life
Firefighters are always 100% dedicated to whatever they do. They are also known to put all of their effort into everything. No matter who they are saving, from the President to a small kitten, they’ll give it their all. You can see what we’re talking about as this fireman gives mouth-to-mouth to a dog in need.
Breathing New Life
Even In The Water
No place is off limits when it comes to a rescue. Whatever the weather, whatever the situation, firemen are there. As this poor dog was drowning, rescuers came in and worked hard to bring him to safety. We should mention that the water temperature was below 50 degrees, hence the need for the massive suits.
Even In The Water
‘Thank You’
Despite their ability to talk to us, they are able to communicate their thoughts and feelings. When this firefighter rescued this sweet dog, she wasn’t shy to show her appreciation. We have a feeling these two will always remember each other!
‘Thank You’
Holding On
Although you’re never really in the clear until you exit a burning building, this cat sure feels pretty safe right where she is! She feels much better cuddled in his warm arms rather than in the hot raging fire!
Holding On
Not Today
No matter how old or young, all lives are important. These firemen clearly felt that way when rescuing this senior dog. He probably thought his days were up, but they sure proved him wrong!
Not Today
Whoever Needs Help
Cats and dogs might be the most frequent rescuees, but goats, foxes, and ducks are also on the table! Firemen’s duty is to save lives, no matter whose we’re talking. This goose was in good hands (literally) and lived thanks to this brave soul!
Whoever Needs Help
Showing Gratitude
Although it’s widely known that cats have nine lives, this fireman made sure this cat didn’t lose one that day. This kitten was thrilled she was saved, and maybe a bit scared? That sounds about right.
Showing Gratitude
Terrified
Not only are the humans scared when a fire happens at home, so are the animals. The animals may feel it even more since they can’t understand, or be told what’s going on. Although this little cat is safe now, it looks like he just saw a ghost, or maybe just the destruction of his home.
Terrified
A Second Chance
When Nevada’s Clark County Fire Department responded to a fire, they had no idea they would be looking for trapped kittens only a few weeks old. When they heard these little ones were struck, they made it their mission to save them.
A Second Chance
In Safe Hands
Although the job may seem extremely rewarding, don’t forget the hard work it entails. Both this fireman and cat look like they’ve been through the wringer. Nothing a good shower and some warm milk for the cat, and a beer for the man can’t fix
In Safe Hands
Teamwork
It is most common for a few rescuers to work together on a mission, especially when rescuing animals. It’s often very hard to get scared animals out from crevices, especially if they are buried. It’s definitely a job for two!
Teamwork
A Real Bond
The second your animal is returned to you must be an overwhelmingly emotional moment. When losing all of your belongings, having your furry friend there with you is a great support system. This woman looks overjoyed to be reunited with her kitty.
A Real Bond
Finally Safe
The look on this rescuer’s face tells us all we need to know. He is clearly relieved to have gotten this cat out alive, and exhausted from the difficult mission. The cat, on the other hand, looks quite content.
Finally Safe
It Takes A Team
The saying “there’s no ‘I’ in team” exists for a reason. All of these firemen were worried about this dog they just rescued. They all waited around before going home to make sure he would be okay.
It Takes A Team
Whatever It Takes
Exhaustion isn’t a thing for firemen. Or maybe it is, but they don’t acknowledge is. They will find energy and strength, even when there is nothing left, to make a save. This is truly what it means to put all ahead of yourself.
Whatever It Takes