When a Missouri contractor arrived at his construction site one morning, he expected the usual hum of activity — not a life-or-death rescue mission.
While inspecting the area before work began, he noticed a few small squirrels darting around the job site. Wanting to keep them safe, he gently guided the family away before getting back to work.
But as it turned out, one tiny squirrel had been left behind.
Moments later, as the man began sealing a gap with a can of spray insulation foam, the frightened little squirrel leapt in the wrong direction — straight into the wet foam.
Instantly, the sticky material coated his tiny body, hardening quickly into a cement-like shell.
“The contractor acted very quickly, removing as much foam as possible before rushing the squirrel to the Wildlife Rescue Center,” the Missouri Wildlife Rescue Center (MWRC) shared on Facebook.
When the squirrel arrived at MWRC, he was still covered in the tough, resin-based foam. Thanks to the contractor’s fast response, rescuers knew they had a fighting chance to save him.
“At the Center, the animal care team worked against the clock to carefully remove the foam using cotton swabs and vegetable oil before it fully hardened,” MWRC said.
The delicate cleanup was done in stages. Rescuers administered pain relief and a mild sedative to keep the little one calm, then began carefully clearing his mouth and nostrils so he could breathe.
They gently cleaned his eyes, then moved on to free his tiny paws and fur from the hardened coating.
That first night, exhausted but safe, the squirrel rested in a warm bed.
By the next morning, after several more hours of patient cleaning, the little survivor was finally foam-free.
His skin was still raw and sore where the foam had stuck, but his bright eyes and renewed energy told rescuers everything they needed to know — he was going to be OK.
“We are still keeping a close eye on his condition, and he has a long way to recovery, but we are amazed by his current progress,” MWRC wrote.
The tiny squirrel’s recovery journey isn’t over yet, but each day brings him closer to the freedom he deserves. And when he’s finally ready to return to the wild, his rescuers will be cheering him on every step of the way.
Until then, they’re just happy to watch this little fighter heal — one fluffy tail flick at a time.
If you’d like to help animals like this brave squirrel, you can donate to the Missouri Wildlife Rescue Center to support their lifesaving work.
