While clearing waste from a garden in England, Craig Mcgettrick and a coworker found an old mattress—and beneath it, five tiny animals they believed were puppies. Unsure, Craig gently placed them in a box, snapped a few photos, and brought them to an animal rescue center. He also posted the pictures on Facebook, hoping someone could help identify them.

Soon, Martin Hemmington of the National Fox Welfare Society was contacted by a concerned woman named Beccie. She suspected the animals were actually fox cubs, not puppies. Once confirmed, the rescue center quickly coordinated with local expert Paul “The Fox Man” McDonald to return the cubs to where they were found.

McDonald placed the cubs—still hungry and crying—near the original mattress, using a warm water bottle to keep them cozy. Just an hour later, their mother returned. One by one, she carried them off to safety.

By evening, the box was empty—and everyone involved was overjoyed. What started as a simple misunderstanding ended in a heartwarming reunion. McDonald called it “the best kind of rescue”—letting nature take its course.