A day in the life of a firefighter is always unique. There is no telling what a firefighter can expect from one shift to the next, which is one of the reasons that the job is so exciting.

However, being a firefighter is not an easy job. Even though some days are fun and accident-free, other days are physically and emotionally draining. Not to mention, it’s also a very dangerous job! One day in particular was pretty puzzling for a group of firefighters, and it’s sure to be one they’ll never forget.

Click ‘ Next ’ to hear about the rescue that firefighters are still scratching their heads about!

Multi-Faceted

Firefighters have all kinds of skills. When they’re in training, they are informed that they will regularly be called out to jobs that have nothing to do with fighting fires! Sometimes their job is much different than that.

Many people also make the mistake of assuming that firefighters only help people. In actuality, these hard-working men and women assist both people and animals. Every situation is treated with the utmost importance for these responders, and every person and creature is valued.

One team of firefighters was about to help something unexpected. Click ‘Next’!

Another Day

For the team of firefighters at the Colorado Springs Fire Department, it was another day at the station. Everyone who was on shift had already arrived, and the team was always prepared in case their assistance was needed.

However, this wasn’t going to be any ordinary day. This day was going to require that the team take part in a very special rescue. Even though the team was totally equipped for such a rescue, the outcome wasn’t going to be anything like they’d imagined.

What would this day bring? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

The Call

While on duty on a particular day, the Colorado Springs Fire Department got a phone call. It was a distress call to help save some animals who seemed to be trapped. In this situation, the firefighters usually knew what to do.

Within a few minutes, the team was answering the call. It was important that they get there as quickly as possible, since they couldn’t be sure just how dire the situation was. The faster they got there, the faster they could assist the animals.

This was going to be a very unique rescue. Click ‘Next’!

Protocol

In any situation that includes animals, firefighters have to take specific precautions. Depending on the individual animal, the circumstances are always different. It could be a dog, a cat, a bear or a raccoon!

Regardless of what it was, every animal had its own mannerisms and behaviours. This was especially true when an animal was in danger. Some animals might be very calm in their situation, while others might be very distressed.

Better to be safe than sorry. Click ‘Next’!

Ready for Anything

With this in mind, the firefighters needed to proceed with caution. In every situation, it was important that the firefighters maintain their own safety, so that they were capable of helping others properly.

This team had no idea what type of animal they were about to save, so they had to be very cautious. This meant bringing the right protective equipment, and making sure that the animal wasn’t dangerous to them.

Click ‘Next’ to hear the rescue unfold!

Experience

Luckily, the firefighters weren’t too worried about this particular job. In fact, the team had lots of experience working with animals that needed help.

Even though they weren’t sure what kind of animal they were working with, it was safe to say that they would be able to handle the situation with expertise. Lots of cats, dogs and other pets often got left behind in common house fires, and the team often had to handle different types of animals who had burns, injuries and smoke inhalation.

This time things would be different! Click ‘Next’!

Assessing the Situation

It was the beginning of March when the team got the call about the struggling animals. They got into their truck and raced to the location where the distressed animals appeared to be.

From first sight, it seemed that the animals were trapped deep beneath a storm grate. Even though it sounded like they were alright for the moment, if the weather changed and the enclosure filled up with water, the animals would be in some serious trouble.

What was waiting inside? You’ll never guess!

Tick Tock

Without rainy weather, the animals were fairly safe in the enclosure. However, if these were animals who couldn’t swim, then they would have been in some serious trouble. It was a good thing someone called in!

The firefighters knew that time was of the essence. Not only was the enclosure dark and deep, but it was also cold! If the animals were small or young, it was important that they got them out of there quickly. There was no time to waste.

What was the game plan? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

Quick Plan

Because the animals were trapped below, the firefighters came to the conclusion that the creatures were likely fairly small. The sewer grate wasn’t very deep, and yet the animals still couldn’t get out.

With this in mind, the firefighters decided that only one or two men would be needed to pull the animals out. What they had to watch out for, was any animals trying to escape when the storm grate was pulled up. Everyone prepped themselves.

You won’t guess what happens! Click ‘Next’!

First Glance

The firefighters worked together to raise the storm grate away and expose the area beneath. They could hear the small cries of animals below, and they knew that the animals must be very afraid of these intruders.

At first glance, the firefighters could see that the animals were very tiny and that they hardly had any of their fur! They were quick to realize that this little group of creatures were babies! They wondered what they were doing there!

You won’t believe this! Click ‘Next’!

An Unfit Home

This was a very odd place for such small animals to be. Many creatures are not fit to live in human habitats, unlike common house pets like cats and dogs. Most animals are much better off being out in the wild.

This is mostly because wild animals rely on their natural habitats to hunt for food, and to create fitting environments for their young. These animals were far away from any wild habitat, and likely weren’t going to get what they needed from underneath this sewer grate.

Where was there mother? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

Abandoned Babies?

The firefighters couldn’t be sure what kind of animals were trapped in the storm drain. They took time to canvas the area, checking to see if there was a mother or father lurking nearby.

It was likely that if there was a mom or dad around, the firefighters would have spooked them away. Unfortunately, it is all too common for babies to be found abandoned. Sometimes the mother is too afraid to return, or she has been killed. This was a very sensitive situation.

What would the firefighters do? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

A Bad Situation

As soon as the firefighters saw the babies, they couldn’t believe that they were still alive. The sewer had been filled with water only recently, and now it was filled with damp dirt and garbage that had collected there.

The animals must have been freezing cold, and there was clearly no food in sight to be eaten. The firefighters couldn’t be sure if they were still taking milk from their mother, but it was clear she hadn’t be around in a while!

Would the poor babies be okay? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

Sensitive Situation

The firefighters had to approach this situation carefully. If the mother of the babies was nearby, then perhaps she would be the one to take them out of the sewer drain. However, if she was gone, these babies wouldn’t survive.

The problem was that if the firefighters did handle the babies, the mother may return later and become turned off by their smell. In many cases, a mother might decide to abandon any babies who don’t smell natural to her.

Time was running out. Click ‘Next’!

Tense Moments

The team of rescuers weren’t sure what kind of animals these were, which made it hard to know if the mother might be around. Had it been a cat or a dog, then the mother might not be too far away.

If it was something more wild however, then there was a good chance that the mother may have gone much further in search of food. There was no way of knowing what was best, but it looked like these critters needed assistance.

What would they do!? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

Making a Decision

The firefighters had a decision to make. Should they leave the babies there, or wait for the mother to return? They had no idea how long the babies had been there, and they didn’t want to risk losing any of them.

They knew the babies couldn’t get out themselves, but they also didn’t know if these were actually animals that would survive in a sewer drain on their own. It was time to find out exactly what kind of animal they were dealing with.

We can’t make this up. Click ‘Next’!

Investigating

The firefighters would have to investigate, by pulling out the animals and identifying exactly what they were. By doing so, this would help them to get a better idea of whether the animals would survive on their own.

If they were regular cats or dogs, it was likely that these animals needed some serious help. Other types of wild animals might not be in such dire straits; lots of different babies raised themselves and wouldn’t need assistance once they were out of the sewer.

So, what were they? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

The Rescue Begins

The team finally decided that it was in the best interest of the animals to save them from the sewer grate. The team made sure to wear gloves, so as to avoid getting their natural smell onto the babies.

A sheet was laid out on the road beside the sewer, so that they could easily place the animals down safely once they were rescued. With no idea of what was down there, one firefighter reached down into the sewer and pulled up the very first baby.

We can’t make this up! Click ‘Next’!

The First

The firefighter slowly reached down into the sewer and gently pulled up the first baby. He placed it onto the white sheet where everyone could get a good look at the animal.

At first glance, the team was in shock. They almost immediately knew what kind of animal it was, based on the long snout and skinny tail. It had black fur all over, and tiny, floppy ears. It was actually very cute and rolled around on the sheet innocently.

Click ‘Next’ to find out what the firefighters found!

Man’s Best Friend

After getting a good look at the first baby, the team knew what they were dealing with: Puppies! They couldn’t believe that these poor, little pups were stuck inside of a sewer grate.

They had no idea how the animals had gotten there, but now they knew for sure that they shouldn’t be there. Although wild dogs would often find a comfortable spot to have their babies, these pups wouldn’t survive stuck down there.

What happens next will shock you! Click ‘Next’!

A Sad State

The firefighters couldn’t believe it. Somehow these puppies had managed to make their way into the sewer, and they were in serious danger. The team worried that the puppies were put there by someone.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t uncommon for pet owners to abandon their pets. For owners who don’t know their pets are carrying, it’s often too overwhelming to deal with. Sometimes they assume the only option is to dispose of them.

We can’t make this part up. Click ‘Next’!

Hard Truths

The team hoped that abandonment wasn’t the case in this situation. These pups were so small, and there was no way anyone could believe they would be able to fend for themselves in this deep sewer.

With this potential circumstance in mind, the firefighters pressed on even faster to try and help the puppies. If someone had treated them poorly, then it was up to them to show to animals that they would still be okay.

Click ‘Next’ to find out why the firefighters were so angry!

Simple Solution

For those pet owners who aren’t able to take care of their animals, the firefighters knew that this could be a good lesson for everyone. There are all kinds of options for people who cannot care for their animals.

It is never okay to abandon animals in unfit environments. There is a good chance that someone in the world will want to help, and this is a much better option than to simply abandon them. The team hoped this wasn’t the true case.

The rescue was going forward! Click ‘Next’!

Big Litter

There was no telling how many pups were inside the sewer grate at first, so the team had to wait until all of the puppies were pulled out.

Luckily, the sewer wasn’t too deep, so it was easy for the firefighters to make sure they had collected every single one. All of the pups had been huddled on top of dirt and sticks, but out in the open the team could count eight in total! Luckily, the sewer made them easy to capture.

What would the team do next? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

Team Huddle

The puppies were surely very confused as to what was going on. One moment they were in a deep, cold place and now they were out in the open and surrounded by humans!

The poor puppies huddled together for warmth. It was clear that they had been like this for a few days, trying to obtain as much heat from each other as possible. The team wrapped the puppies up in the sheet so as to help them get warm again.

What happened to these little guys? Click ‘Next’!

Gathering Clues

The team was still confused as to how the puppies had gotten into the sewer in the first place. The team was able to speak with the witness who had reported the issue to get an idea of what happened.

She explained that when heavy rain had hit, she spotted the puppies being swept along a fast-moving stream and into the storm drain. It was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time for the pups.

This lady was a regular day hero. Click ‘Next’ to find out why!

A Sigh of Relief

As the lady recalled what had happened, the firefighters let out a sigh of relief. Even if the puppies were lost or strays, they were glad that they hadn’t been physically put into the sewer by someone.

This changed the situation drastically. Somehow the puppies had gotten too close to the storm drain and been swept inside. The firefighters wondered if their mother was in fact looking for them right now! She would have no idea where to look for them!

The puppies mysterious story continued. Click ‘Next’!

Making Moves

When the lady saw the puppies being swept away, she tried to act as quickly as possible. She tried to catch up with the puppies in time, but it was too late by the time she reached them.

It was all she could do but wait as the rain came pouring down. It was a very nerve-wracking time, but she could still hear the puppies when the water finally went down. She tried to open the grate, but she didn’t have the tools.

Click ‘Next’ to find out what she did!

Calling in for Help

When the woman realized that she couldn’t help the animals herself, she decided to make the call for help. It was then that the Colorado Springs Fire Department was alerted to the situation.

Although the woman was unable to save the animals herself, it was in her best interest to call for additional assistance. Luckily, the firefighters knew what to do, and they had the tools that were needed. They were very grateful that the woman had decided to call!

Click ‘Next’ to find out something amazing about the puppies!

A Great Example

The firefighters were glad to hear the actual story of the puppies. One civilian had noticed something in danger and made sure that she took action. The firefighters were glad that she had taken the time to call them.

By doing so, the firefighters were able to easily locate the puppies and get them out as soon as possible. Not only that, but they were also able to put together a picture of what had happened. They hoped that everyone would do the same.

The firefighters investigate. Click ‘Next’!

Making Guesses

Once all of the puppies were out of the sewer and safe, the firefighters started trying to guess what kind of breed they were. All of the puppies were black with short, wiry hair.

After all of the votes were in, the team decided that the puppies must be Labrador puppies. With their short, dark hair and long tails, it seemed like this was the best guess. They knew it was only a matter of time before these adorable pups would be adopted!

The team was going to be in for a surprise. Click ‘Next’!

Next Steps

Now that all of the puppies were safe from the sewer, it was time to make sure that they were all strong and healthy. The firefighters didn’t know how long the animals had been in the sewer, and they could be sick or malnourished.

With that, the team took the puppies to the Human Society of the Pikes Peak Region, in order to make sure that the animals were okay. Here they could be tested for any illnesses, and they could potentially be given any shots that they required.

Would the puppies be okay? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

In Good Shape

The firefighters were happy to hear that all of the puppies were in relatively good health, regardless of being stuck in the sewer grate. None of them seemed to be malnourished, and they were very strong.

With that, the firefighters decided that their job was complete. After quite an interesting day, the team was able to rescue the poor pups and get them into some good hands. Surely they would be raised and released for adoption soon!

We can’t make this part up. Click ‘Next’ to see what happens to the puppies!

A Call

Mark Jenkins was one of the firefighters who was a part of the rescue that day. After the pups were dropped off, he made sure to leave their number so the vets could update them on how the dogs were doing.

Mark expected to hear about the pooches at some point, but he didn’t expect to hear about them so soon! The vets called back relatively quickly, and Mark’s first reaction was to assume that something had gone wrong.

Were the puppies okay? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

Interesting News

As it turns out, the vet was quick to assure Mark that the animals were fine, and that they did a good deed of sending them over to the vet. However, the call was actually about something much, much different.

Mark could hardly believe his ears. The vet brought news that totally changed the entire rescue, and everything he thought he knew about animals! It was a surprising piece of information that almost made Mark laugh out loud.

What was the amazing surprise? Click ‘Next’!

Big Surprise

What the vet had to tell Mark was that the puppies had a little surprise for him. Although it had been a fair guess that the puppies were Labradors, the team was actually very far off with their guess.

In fact, they puppies …weren’t even dogs! Mark couldn’t believe his ears. They weren’t even dogs? How was this possible? The animals had looked exactly like little puppies, before they grew into their natural features. And yet, it wasn’t the case at all!

So, what were they? Click ‘Next’!

Shocking News

The vet explained that the animals were dogs at all, but actually foxes! And they were red foxes to be exact! Mark almost laughed out loud at the news. How could they have mistaken the foxes for puppies?!

The vet explained that puppies and fox cubs do have some similarities at birth, particularly because red foxes often aren’t red at all! Many of them are born with black fur that eventually turns color. It was a common mistake!

This was shocking! Click ‘Next’ to find out how it all happened!

Good Deed

Mark shared the news with the rest of his team, and they couldn’t believe the news either. Everyone had been so sure that they were puppies, and now they came to find that they had rescued foxes!

Regardless of the new developments, the team was happy that they could help. Even though they had never rescued foxes before, they were sure that these animals would have needed just as much help as puppies would have. It was a good day!

The firefighters couldn’t believe what they had to do next! Click ‘Next’!

Going Back

Even though the baby foxes had now been saved, their story was not even close to being over! Since they weren’t actually puppies, the vet informed the firefighters that it was best that they be put back in the sewer.

Even though they had just been rescued, the vet explained that the mother might still be in the area and she was likely to come back. If they could put the babies back in time, she might continue on with taking care of them.

Would the plan work? Click ‘Next’!

Worth a Shot

They felt like they were going backwards a bit, but the firefighters knew that taking the foxes back was the only way. Reluctantly, the small animals went back into their sewer drain to wait out their mother.

Of course, the babies were watched closely during this time. The team didn’t want to risk the sewer filling up with water again, or having some sort of large predator find the babies. If something found them, they would be completely helpless!

Time would tell if the mother would return. Click ‘Next’!

Patience

Once all of the foxes were returned to their sewer, the team waited patiently. It was important that they keep a safe distance away, in case the mother was still spooked from their earlier rescue mission.

The team hoped that the mother would come back eventually. It was possible that she wouldn’t return until sometime in the night, when there were less people and cars around to scare her. It was a waiting game for everyone with a hopeful ending.

You won’t believe what happens! Click ‘Next’!

Common Practices

The red fox is a very cunning animal, and they are very adaptable. Most red foxes stay inside their den during the day, and move about during the night. This was why they hoped that the mother would come back before morning.

However, while it is common for foxes to be active during the night, they also like to stay near their dens. For a mother fox this preference is even more prominent. Unfortunately, there were no signs of the mother overnight; they hoped she’s return in the morning.

Where was there mother? Click ‘Next’!

No Show

Unfortunately, after a lot of waiting, there was no sign of the mother fox. The babies could be heard inside the sewer calling for her, but it was to no avail. There were a few things that could have happened to her.

The first thing, was that she may have been too spooked by all of the action that happened earlier in the day. Sometimes mothers decide it is unsafe for them to go back to their children. The team hoped this was the case, and not that she had been injured or killed.

What would they do now? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

Giving In

After a lot of waiting, everyone’s patience seemed to wear out. It was too hard listening to the baby foxes in their sewer grate, and it was assumed that the mother wasn’t going to be coming back after a few nights.

With time, it was decided that it was time to intervene again. The baby foxes needed assistance, and they needed to be raised so that they could survive in the wild. There would be no learning in a sewer, so it was time for plan B.

Click ‘Next’ to find out where the foxes ended up!

Next Steps

When the decision was made, it was time to make moves. The animals were once again gathered from the sewer, and brought to the Animal Clinic of Woodland Park. This was going to be the safest place for them.

The clinic was going to be a huge help for these foxes. Without their mother around, the cubs had no way to learn how to communicate, catch food or avoid danger. If the team released them into the wild right away, they were in serious danger.

You don’t want to miss this! Click ‘Next’!

Life Lessons

The Animal Clinic of Woodland Park offers help and rehabilitation to animals of all shapes and sizes. For many people who bring in animals, the staff at this clinic teach them how to raise their wild animals properly.

For other animals, like the baby foxes, the team at the clinic help to raise the babies until they are old enough to take care of themselves in the wild. This might mean introducing them to other foxes and helping them gain their strength and agility.

The foxes were in good hands, but the story wasn’t over! Click ‘Next’!

Becoming Educated

The story of the foxes was a funny one, but it was also an educational one! The team of firefighters had never dealt with foxes before, and they learned a lot about them during this unique rescue.

This was a good thing, since there is so much to know about wild animals and how to deal with them. Many people approach them not knowing about their unique behaviours and needs, which can often put them in harm’s way.

You won’t believe this! Click ‘Next’!

Not Very Surprising

Finding the baby foxes was a huge surprise for the firefighters, but it wasn’t a huge surprise to animal experts. For many animals, it is common that they mate in the colder months, and female foxes are only pregnant for 6-8 weeks.

If we do the math, it was no surprise that the baby foxes were born in the early month of March after a very long winter. It was likely that the mother fox has mated just a couple of months earlier and had given birth to 8 cubs!

This wasn’t the only thing that made sense. Click ‘Next’!

The Perfect Spot

Animal experts also weren’t surprised by the find, since the cubs were found in Colorado. This state is well-known for its fox population, so it wasn’t strange that the team had come across a litter like this one.

Colorado has all kinds of perfect terrain for foxes, including mountains, hills, and lots of perfect places for dens. It was likely that the mother fox was simply looking for a great spot to have her babies that would be safe from the clustery weather.

This part is shocking. Click ‘Next’!

An Acceptable Place

It seemed unheard of that the mother fox would put her babies in a sewer grate. However, animal experts also understood why she might have done this. It all had to do with finding a suitable place for her babies.

Foxes who stray into busy, urban areas often try to find suitable locations for their homes. In their natural habitat, their dens are commonly dark, cool spaces. They are often found in the sides of hills and mountains, to protect themselves from prey.

This mother fox made a mistake. Click ‘Next’ to find out why!

Honest Mistake

The mother fox who left these cubs behind may have made a bit of a mistake when she was picking her den. Although she might have been looking for a safe den for her babies, she must have mistaken the sewer for a den!

The sewer was dark and cool, and had similar characteristics to a common den in the fox’s natural habitat. However, she wouldn’t have known that this was a dangerous place to keep her babies in the busy streets.

This story gets even crazier. Click ‘Next’!

Unique Birth

The story of the fox cubs was slowly coming together. Although no one could guess how the babies got there at first, there were a few obvious answers that animal experts offered.

The most likely answer, was that the mother fox had actually given birth to her babies inside the sewer! It was also a possibility that the mother had an actual den somewhere else, but that she didn’t make it back in time before she gave birth.

Would the foxes be okay? Click ‘Next’ to learn more!

Positive Outlook

Even though the baby foxes had been abandoned, there was still a good chance that the baby foxes were going to be okay. Because the firefighters got to them quickly, their chances of survival were much higher.

To make matters even better, the baby foxes had gone through serious rehabilitation at a young age. This ensured that the foxes were equipped with some of the strength and social skills they would need in the wild.

You won’t believe this fact. Click ‘Next’ to hear it!

Common Occurrence

Even though the Colorado firefighters were surprised at finding baby foxes in the busy city, it isn’t actually an uncommon occurrence. In fact, foxes have colonized lots of suburban areas quite successfully.

This is often a result of growing urban areas, which are starting to take over a lot of the habitat that foxes would usually roam in. As a result, the foxes are forced to make due with busier neighborhoods and cities for raising their young.

What if a fox chooses your home? Click ‘Next’ to find out!

Adapting

The sad thing about foxes becoming comfortable in urban areas, is that they are often seen as pests and miscreants. Many people do not understand why they’re close by, and often tried to rid their property of them.

It gets harder and harder for animals to find homes as habitat loss continues. For those people who are hosting a fox family, it is suggested to let them be if they aren’t causing any issues around your home.

Click ‘Next’ to find out how you can help!

Asking for Help

The lady who came across the baby foxes did the right thing, when she decided to contact the local authorities. Many of us are uneducated about wild animals, and trying to handle them yourself can be very unsafe.

It’s much better to call the appropriate help, who can handle the animals safely and assess the situation properly. Many animals should simply be left alone, while others may in fact need assistance. Knowing one fact in particular is key to know before dealing with baby animals.

What do you need to know?! Click ‘Next’ to find out!

It’s Not Always Bad

When people find baby animals that are alone, they often assume that the baby is in trouble. However, this is not always the case. In fact, sometimes this is a completely normal situation for the baby.

Some newborn animals, such as rabbits, are alone for almost 23 hours in a day! Mother rabbits like to go off looking for food, and rarely return until night. Knowing this kind of thing is helpful, since it helps people to be patient before jumping to conclusions.

All in a day’s work. Click ‘Next’!

A Happy Ending

For these baby foxes, their ending was a happy one. Although they were found in some dire straits, one caring lady was able to make sure that they were well taken care of. The firefighters are very grateful to her.

Going forward, the cubs will be able to grow up in their natural habitat together, and raise their own cubs someday. It was a great rescue for the Colorado squad, who learned a lot about red foxes in one day!

The story isn’t over! Click ‘Next’!

Keeping A Look Out

With more and more suburban growth, animals will continue to struggle for their own, personal space. This means that we will have to get used to sharing, and that means becoming more educated about wild animals.

If you do happen to come across an animal that seems out of place, it’s a great idea to contact local authorities for assistance. Even if you have the best intentions, you might be doing more harm than good! Keep yourself and animals safe by giving them space and making smart decisions.

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