While clearing out a yard in England in 2017, Craig Mcgettrick and a friend came across an old mattress. When they lifted it, they were shocked to find five tiny animals underneath. Craig assumed they were puppies—or maybe even kittens—and believed someone had dumped them, hoping they’d be rescued.

Wanting to help, Craig took them to a local animal shelter and posted a few photos on Facebook, hoping someone might adopt them.

But just hours later, everything changed.

A woman named Beccie saw the photos and sent them to Martin Hemmington, founder of the National Fox Welfare Society. Martin quickly realized—these weren’t puppies at all. They were fox cubs.

“It’s a common mistake,” explained fox rescuer Paul McDonald. “Young foxes don’t look like foxes right away.”

Martin contacted Paul, and together they made a plan. The cubs were taken back to where they’d been found. Once placed carefully at the site, the team waited.

Soon, a mother fox appeared—reuniting with her babies.

As Paul explained, “Vixens often leave their cubs alone while they forage, and as the cubs grow, they explore more. This was just a case of nature doing what it does—until humans stepped in thinking they were helping.”

Thanks to a few kind strangers—and a little social media magic—five fox cubs made it safely back home.