Earlier this month in the United Kingdom, a quiet afternoon of chores turned into an unforgettable wildlife rescue. A local man had just finished power-washing his deck when he heard faint noises coming from beneath the wooden boards. At first, he thought it might be dripping water or perhaps the creaks of the deck settling after being cleaned. But as he leaned closer, the sounds became clearer — little whimpers and cries that seemed to belong to very young animals.
His curiosity quickly turned into concern. He removed one of the deck planks and was stunned to discover five tiny fur-covered babies huddled together, trembling and completely alone. They were soaked, shivering from the cold, and most alarmingly, there was no sign of their mother. The man’s heart raced — he knew these little ones wouldn’t survive long without help.
At first glance, the tiny creatures resembled kittens. Their size, soft fur, and squeaky cries seemed to fit the description perfectly. Not wanting to waste any time, the man reached out to The Cat Welfare Group, an organization experienced in helping abandoned or injured cats.
A Race To Warmth and Safety
Following the group’s advice, the man carefully wrapped the babies in warm towels and rushed them over. By the time he arrived, the kittens — as he still believed them to be — were weak and exhausted. Lorri Baynes, CEO of The Cat Welfare Group, was waiting to receive them.
“All I could feel was freezing-cold fur,” Baynes later recalled. She immediately transferred the little animals into a pre-warmed enclosed unit to stabilize their body temperatures. At the same time, she contacted a veterinarian to discuss the next steps.
As Baynes gently lifted one of the babies from the warming box to weigh her, she paused. Something didn’t quite add up. The shape of the ears, the length of the snout, and the overall structure of the tiny animal didn’t resemble a kitten after all. That’s when realization struck: these weren’t kittens at all — they were baby foxes.
From Cats to Foxes: A Sudden Shift in Care
“Honestly, my first thought was, ‘Oh crap,’” Baynes admitted with a laugh. The initial shock quickly gave way to calm logic. “Then, ‘OK, the same must apply to foxes as it does to kittens. We need to get them warm and, while doing so, find a fox rescue who can help.’”
Baynes immediately contacted Second Chance Fox Rescue and Rehabilitation, a dedicated wildlife rescue specializing in foxes. The staff there guided her on how to care for the kits temporarily until specialized help could arrive.
When a volunteer from Second Chance reached The Cat Welfare Group, the little fox kits were already looking more comfortable. Wrapped in soft blankets and gently warmed, their tiny bodies began to relax. They were soon transported to Second Chance’s facility, where they could receive the proper diet, medical checks, and species-specific care they needed.
Searching For Their Mother
Even though the babies were safe, rescuers weren’t ready to give up on the possibility of reuniting them with their mother. For many wild animals, the best chance of survival comes from staying with their family in their natural environment.
In the days that followed, volunteers from Second Chance returned several times to the deck where the babies were found. They waited quietly, hoping to spot the mother fox searching for her missing young. Sadly, she never appeared. Whether she had been frightened away, injured, or worse, no one could say for sure.
With no sign of the mother, the decision was made to keep the kits at the rescue center until they were strong enough to survive on their own. There, they would receive specialized formula, regular feedings, and plenty of warmth and attention. And while human caregivers could provide the essentials, they were careful to ensure the kits wouldn’t become too reliant on people. Their goal was always clear: to prepare them for release back into the wild.
A Story of Compassion and Teamwork
What started as a confusing situation — a homeowner discovering what he thought were abandoned kittens — turned into a remarkable story of compassion, quick thinking, and collaboration between multiple animal welfare groups. Thanks to the homeowner’s swift action, The Cat Welfare Group’s willingness to step in, and Second Chance Fox Rescue’s expertise, five little foxes who once trembled under a cold, wet deck now have a fighting chance at life.
Though the kits didn’t turn out to be the kittens that rescuers expected, their needs were just as urgent. And as they grow, play, and prepare for the wild, their story serves as a reminder of how important it is for humans to listen closely to the cries of vulnerable animals — no matter their species.
For Lorri Baynes, the moment will always be unforgettable. “It was a surprise, yes,” she said, “but the important thing is that they’re safe. Whether kitten or fox, no baby should be left cold and alone.”
