Daring four day Cannock fox rescue makes one of RSPCA's best 2024 moments list

The charity reminded people of the saved cubs in May in their new year round up of their most memorable rescues across the country.

The fox cubs were lucky to avoid serious injury after falling into deep concrete pits at a construction site in Cannock, Staffordshire.

The first cub was rescued on April 29, followed by another one the following day and a further two on May 1. On each occasion, workers called the RSPCA after finding the cubs at the bottom of the double-decker sized 6m-deep (19.6ft) pits, covered in oil.

All of them were rescued by the charity and, despite the steep drop, had escaped serious injury. They are believed to be from the same litter, although their mum is sadly thought to have died. They were taken to the RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire for care. 

Animal Rescue Officer Sophie Taylor, who was called to the site on April 29 and 30, and used a ladder to climb down and rescue two of the cubs - both females - said: “It was a steep descent and I was amazed, but relieved to find they hadn’t broken any bones. 

"The pits were huge and they were difficult to spot at first, but they were well and truly stranded down there, there was absolutely no way out for them.”

The RSPCA picked the fox cubs rescue as one the highlights of its year.

For 200 years the RSPCA has been there for animals of all shapes and sizes, in all sorts of peculiar situations, 365 days a year.

Whether it’s a deer stuck upside down between two walls, a cat stuck in a gutter, or a magpie caught on a glue trap; the RSPCA’s team of expert rescuers are on hand to help whenever they can.

RSPCA Chief Inspectorate Officer Steve Bennett said: “For 200 years the RSPCA’s dedicated and passionate team of rescuers have been helping animals in need.

“We’re here for every kind; but with almost 1 million calls for help every year, we can’t do this alone.

“We’re incredibly grateful to all of the animal-loving members of the public who have helped rescue animals themselves, taken them to vets for specialist care, as well as the other agencies who help save the lives of animals in need, from the fire service to the police to small local rescues!

“We will always use our specialist skills to help animals when we can and we’re grateful to other agencies for working with us to help animals in need.

“But there are also lots of ways the public can help animals themselves too; after all, the quicker an animal gets help, the better.

“If we all work together, we can create a kinder and better world for all animals.”

Other memorable rescues included when RSPCA and fire service helped rescue a deer who was wedged upside down in a tiny gap between two houses in Lough, Lincolnshire.

Rescuers used ropes and poles to slowly pull the muntjac through the gap, between two walls, to safety, on 25 January.

Animal Rescue Officer Karen Nix said: “This was a tricky rescue because the deer was trapped so tightly and, to complicate matters, was also upside down - it must have been terrifying for him. Thankfully, he was freed and it was such a relief to watch him run free into the undergrowth.”

A Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: “Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue attended an incident with the RSPCA on 25 January, just before 10am. Our crew from Louth attended along with our animal rescue specialists from Lincoln North. The crews used a short extension ladder, lines, hook and animal rescue equipment to release the muntjac deer.”

Donate £10 and join the Winter Rescue online today rspca.org.uk/jointherescue.

For more advice about how to help an animal yourself or how to report to the RSPCA, visit our website: www.rspca.org.uk/reportaconcern.