Rescue in the Rain: Saving Simon and Quasimodo

When storms sweep through, wildlife often bears the brunt of nature’s power. For Simon and Quasimodo—two beloved ambassador box turtles at For Fox Sake—the latest downpour nearly turned deadly.

Their outdoor habitats are designed with drainage holes to keep them safe during heavy rain, but this time, the sky opened up with such force that no system could keep up. Water rose quickly, filling the enclosures faster than it could drain away. Before long, both turtles were fighting for their lives, paddling with every ounce of strength they had.

Box turtles are terrestrial by nature. Unlike their aquatic cousins, the pond turtles, they aren’t built to live in water. Still, when circumstances force them in, their ancient instincts surface, and they manage to swim just enough to survive. For Simon and Quasimodo, though, that fight was harder than most.

Simon, who lost a leg many years ago, has always had to adapt and persevere. Quasimodo, on the other hand, carries the weight of his unique body—bonier, denser, and far less buoyant than the average box turtle. For both of them, staying afloat meant struggling against odds stacked high.

Thankfully, they didn’t have to fight alone. With water levels rising dangerously, they were spotted just in time. Within moments, helping hands reached in, scooping the exhausted turtles from the flood. Safe inside, they were warmed, dried, and given a chance to rest after their ordeal.

It was a reminder of how quickly conditions can change, and how even the strongest, most resilient animals sometimes need rescuing. For the caregivers at For Fox Sake, being close by made all the difference. “I’m thankful our facility is in my backyard,” one caretaker shared. “I can respond immediately, not hours later or the next day. When emergencies happen, every second matters.”

Today, Simon and Quasimodo are recovering well—living proof that care, quick action, and a watchful eye can turn what could have been tragedy into another story of survival.

And it’s thanks to a community of supporters that these rescues are possible. Each act of kindness, every bit of help, ensures that when the rain pours hardest, the animals have someone ready to keep them safe.