Anika Markle Firefighters Rush to Save “Puppies” in Drain
A group of firefighters in Colorado Springs got a call that would tug at anyone’s heart. A family thought they had found eight tiny black Labrador puppies trapped in a storm drain. Fearing the worst, they called for help. Fire Captain Brian Vaughan and his team rushed to the scene without wasting a second.
The firefighters worked quickly and carefully. Within 20 minutes, they pulled all eight little creatures from the drain. They looked cold and scared, but thankfully, they weren’t hurt. The team brought them to the Humane Rescue Organization nearby, believing they had just saved a litter of abandoned dogs.
A Shocking Discovery at the Rescue Center
But something wasn’t quite right. The furry little animals didn’t bark. They didn’t act like puppies at all. That’s when a vet took a closer look—and made a surprising discovery.
“These aren’t Labradors,” the vet said. “They’re foxes!”
Everyone was stunned. The tiny black “pups” had changed color slightly after being cleaned up, showing hints of red fur. What the firefighters had rescued wasn’t a litter of dogs—it was a den of baby red foxes!
These firefighters in rescued what they thought were puppies from a storm drain… but it turns out they’re red foxes!
What to do now?
Reporter @AbeytaCBS4 shares the story: https://t.co/ubpMJjjj8h
(📹: Colorado Springs Fire Department) pic.twitter.com/Mksg0A0IJH— CBSColorado (@CBSNewsColorado) March 16, 2018
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A Hopeful Plan to Reunite Them With Their Mom
Wildlife expert Travis Sauder wasn’t surprised. Foxes are common around the Rocky Mountains, especially in spring when they have their babies. He explained that mother foxes often hide their young in places people might accidentally find—like drains or small dens near hiking trails.
The good news? There was still hope. Wildlife officials planned to return the baby foxes to the same drain, hoping their mother was nearby and would come back for them.
“If the mom is still around, she’ll take care of them like she normally would,” Sauder said. “If not, we’ll take them to a licensed rehab center.”
A Reminder to Always Call the Experts
This sweet mix-up is a great reminder: if you see baby animals in the wild, always call a rescue group or wildlife expert first. What seems like an abandoned pet could be something very different—and wild animals often need special care.
We hope this little fox family is back together soon. ❤️
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