When firefighters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, received a report about abandoned puppies trapped underground, they expected to carry out a straightforward animal rescue. The tiny animals were reportedly huddled inside a storm drain, unable to get out on their own.

But when the crew carefully lifted the little creatures to safety, something about the situation soon became clear: these were not ordinary puppies.

The rescue, which took place in March 2018, involved eight baby animals whose dark coats initially made them look remarkably similar to newborn black Labrador Retrievers. Only after the animals were taken to a local shelter did a veterinarian identify their true species.

The unexpected discovery turned a routine rescue call into a memorable wildlife encounter and offered an important reminder about how easily young wild animals can be mistaken for abandoned pets.

A Call About Eight Abandoned Puppies

The incident began when a passerby noticed several tiny animals inside a storm drain in Colorado Springs. Believing they were newborn black Labrador puppies that had been abandoned, the person alerted the authorities.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department responded to investigate and help the animals.

Fire Captain Brian Vaughan later recalled that the crew initially worried they might be dealing with a case of someone leaving a litter of puppies behind. The animals were small, dark-colored, and appeared to need assistance getting out of the drain.

A firefighter carefully reached inside and lifted the animals out one by one. Each tiny creature was placed on a sheet as the crew continued checking the drain.

Video of the rescue showed eight squirming animals being brought to the surface. According to reports about the incident, the operation took approximately 20 minutes, and none of the animals appeared to have suffered obvious injuries.

With all eight out of the drain, the firefighters transported them to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region for further assessment.

At that point, the crew still believed they had rescued a litter of puppies.

The Veterinarian Realized They Were Not Labradors

The biggest surprise came after the animals arrived at the shelter.

When a veterinarian examined the little creatures, the initial assumption quickly changed. According to Vaughan’s account, as reported by Shared, the veterinarian recognized that the animals were not Labrador puppies at all.

They were red fox kits.

The discovery explained why the animals had looked so unusual to the firefighters. Although red foxes are often associated with reddish-orange fur, very young kits can have darker reddish-brown or nearly black coats. Their small bodies and puppy-like appearance can make identification difficult, particularly when they are seen in poor lighting.

Inside a dim storm drain, the subtle differences between the kits and newborn domestic puppies would have been even harder to recognize.

The firefighters’ mistake was understandable. They had responded to a report about animals that appeared to be in danger and acted to get them out safely. Their priority was helping the creatures trapped underground, not identifying their species before attempting the rescue.

Once the veterinarian identified them as foxes, the situation became a wildlife rehabilitation matter rather than a routine shelter intake involving domestic dogs.

Where Was Their Mother?

With eight fox kits safely removed from the storm drain, wildlife officials faced an important question: what had happened to their mother?

According to CBS Colorado, the mother fox had escaped during the rescue. That meant the kits’ family had potentially been separated, but it did not necessarily mean they had been abandoned.

Travis Sauder, a district wildlife manager with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, explained that the plan was to return the kits to the place where they had been found and see whether their mother was still nearby.

The approach was intended to give the young animals a chance to reunite with their mother rather than immediately placing them into human care.

If the mother did not return, Sauder said the kits could be transferred to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

A later report by iHeartDogs stated that the litter of eight red fox kits was taken to a rehabilitator. The available accounts do not establish every detail of what happened to each kit afterward, so their individual long-term outcomes remain unclear.

Nevertheless, the proposed plan reflected an important principle in wildlife rescue: when it is safe and appropriate, keeping young wild animals with their mother is generally preferable to raising them in captivity.

Why Baby Foxes Are Sometimes Mistaken for Puppies

Young wild animals can look surprisingly different from their adult counterparts. Their fur colors, facial proportions, and body shapes may change considerably as they grow.

In the case of these eight fox kits, their dark coats were a major reason they were mistaken for black Labrador puppies.

Red fox kits are born with fur that can appear dark brown or nearly black. Their familiar reddish coloring becomes more apparent as they develop. At a very young age, their small bodies and rounded faces can also resemble those of domestic puppies.

The setting played a role, too. Seeing the animals inside a storm drain gave the rescuers only a limited view of their features. Without a clear look at their faces, ears, and other identifying characteristics, distinguishing fox kits from puppies would have been challenging.

This incident demonstrates why people should be cautious when trying to identify young animals based on appearance alone. Even well-intentioned observers can mistake a wild animal for a familiar domestic species.

When the animal’s identity is uncertain, trained wildlife professionals are better equipped to determine the appropriate next steps.

What Should You Do If You Find Baby Wildlife?

The Colorado Springs rescue also highlights an important lesson for anyone who encounters a young animal outdoors.

A baby animal sitting alone does not automatically mean it has been abandoned. In many species, parents leave their young temporarily while searching for food or moving through their territory. A parent may also stay out of sight when people are nearby.

Before intervening, it is important to consider whether the animal is actually in immediate danger.

Wildlife officials generally recommend observing from a safe distance and contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or the appropriate state wildlife agency for guidance. If possible, a photograph taken without disturbing the animal can help professionals assess the situation.

People should avoid touching, feeding, or attempting to raise wild animals without professional advice. Human contact, inappropriate food, and unnecessary movement can create additional risks for vulnerable young wildlife.

There are exceptions. An animal trapped in a dangerous location or showing clear signs of serious distress may require urgent assistance. In those circumstances, contacting trained responders is the safest approach.

For the eight fox kits in Colorado Springs, the firefighters’ intervention was necessary to remove them from the storm drain. The next challenge was determining how to protect them while giving their mother an opportunity to return.

Why Wildlife Rehabilitation Matters

Licensed wildlife rehabilitators provide specialized care for wild animals that are injured, orphaned, or otherwise unable to survive independently.

Depending on the species and circumstances, rehabilitation may involve appropriate nutrition, monitoring, veterinary treatment, and preparation for eventual release. The objective is usually to help animals regain the skills and condition needed to live in their natural environment.

For young foxes, that process can be particularly demanding because they must eventually develop the behaviors necessary to find food, recognize potential dangers, and navigate their surroundings.

Rehabilitation professionals also work to minimize unnecessary human contact so that animals do not become overly accustomed to people.

Wildlife centers rely on trained staff, suitable facilities, and public support to provide this care. Donations and responsible community reporting can help these organizations respond when animals need assistance.

The Colorado Springs incident illustrates how firefighters, animal shelters, wildlife agencies, and licensed rehabilitators can each play a different role in protecting animals.

Eight Fox Kits, One Unexpected Lesson

What began as a report about abandoned Labrador puppies ended with a surprising identification that changed the entire course of the rescue.

The Colorado Springs firefighters successfully removed eight tiny animals from a storm drain, only to learn that the apparent puppies were actually red fox kits. Wildlife officials then considered how best to reunite them with their mother, with professional rehabilitation available if she did not return.

The incident is a reminder that helping wildlife sometimes means doing less rather than more. A young animal may appear helpless or abandoned even when its parent is nearby, and an intervention that seems compassionate can unintentionally separate a family.

In this case, the firefighters acted on the information available to them and focused on getting the animals out of danger. Identifying the kits correctly afterward allowed the response to shift toward their specific wildlife needs.

Their story also demonstrates the value of seeking expert advice whenever a wild animal needs help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the eight animals rescued from the storm drain?

They were red fox kits, not Labrador puppies. Their dark fur made them resemble newborn black Labradors.

Where did the rescue take place?

The incident occurred in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in March 2018.

Who rescued the fox kits?

A crew from the Colorado Springs Fire Department responded to the report and carefully lifted all eight animals out of the storm drain.

What happened to the kits’ mother?

According to reports, the mother fox escaped during the rescue. Wildlife officials planned to return the kits to where they were found in the hope that she was still nearby.

Did the fox kits survive?

The reports describe the kits being removed from the drain without obvious injuries and later being taken for wildlife rehabilitation. The available accounts do not provide a complete long-term outcome for every kit.

What should you do if you find a baby wild animal?

Observe from a safe distance and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or your state wildlife agency before handling it. If the animal is in immediate danger, seek guidance from trained responders.

Sources: CBS Colorado, Shared.com, iHeartDogs.com, and rdnewsNOW, reporting on the March 2018 rescue of eight red fox kits in a Colorado Springs storm drain.