Nine Connecticut Firefighters Rescue Ducks, Cats, Goats and More

Firefighters across Connecticut don’t just fight fires. They’re often called to help animals in trouble—sometimes in situations that are just plain odd.

Cats get stuck in Naugatuck trees. Horses end up trapped in Pomfret mud. These rescues show how unpredictable emergency calls can be, and how dedicated first responders are.

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Seasons play a big role. Ducklings get pulled from storm drains in spring. In winter, dogs sometimes need saving from dangerous ice.

Let’s look at some of the state’s most memorable animal rescues—stories with plenty of heart, a little humor, and a whole lot of heroism.

Animal Rescues: A Frequent Call for Connecticut Firefighters

Norwalk Fire Captain Jim Lyons says “animal assist” calls come in several times a month. The type of animal rescue depends on the time of year.

Spring usually means more waterfowl rescues. Winter brings calls about dogs stranded on frozen lakes or ponds.

Lyons once used a stethoscope to find a kitten stuck between floors in a house. Sometimes you’ve just got to get creative on these calls.

Seasonal Trends in Animal Emergencies

May and June are busy months for duckling rescues. Firefighters in Wethersfield, Cromwell, and Westbrook have all reunited tiny birds with their anxious mothers.

Winter’s a whole different story. Icy conditions can leave dogs stranded, and that’s risky for both the animals and the firefighters trying to help.

Notable Animal Rescues from Across the State

Here are just a few unforgettable rescue stories from recent months:

In Manchester, crews spent Labor Day rescuing two bunnies from a storm drain. Their social media post? “Everybunny goes home safe.”
Firefighters in Westport cared for a large tortoise hit by a car. Nobody’s sure what happened to the animal after that.
Several fire companies in Pomfret worked together to pull a horse out of three feet of mud. The horse walked away with just a few bee stings.
In Naugatuck, a cat stuck high in a tree made it safely down, to everyone’s relief.
Hamden firefighters freed “Ryder” the cat from under a car’s undercarriage.
Hartford crews used a bucket truck to get a stubborn dog off a rooftop. One chief joked the dog belonged on the department’s roster.

Beyond the Firehouse: Community Impact

When firefighters save an animal, the whole community feels it. People in Manchester and Hamden often share these stories online, adding comments and thanks.

For firefighters, it’s a rare chance to connect with residents during happy moments instead of emergencies. That’s a bright spot for everyone.

The Lighter Side of Emergency Service

The job can be dangerous, but the funny or sweet moments stick with crews. Captions like “everybunny goes home safe” show that there’s room for a little compassion, even on tough days.

These lighter stories let the public see firefighters as real people, not just sirens and uniforms. And honestly, who doesn’t need a smile now and then?

Connecticut’s Unofficial Animal Ambassadors

Every rescued animal in Connecticut kind of becomes an ambassador for the quick thinking and guts of first responders. It could be a cat, a dog, a parrot, a tortoise, or even a horse stuck in mud—these creatures keep surprising everyone and shaping what it means to answer the call in fire service.

From Hartford rooftops to Westbrook drains, you’ll find stories where not all heroes wear capes. Some show up in turnout gear, hauling ladders, and listening for a faint meow or maybe a panicked quack.

Most of these rescues never make the front page. Still, for the animals—and the families who love them—they matter a whole lot.

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Here is the source article for this story: Nine times CT firefighters came to aid of animals: ‘We don’t just fight fires, we rescue ducks, too’

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