It’s incredible how a small act of compassion can have such a profound impact on an animal’s life. This was undoubtedly the case when a crew of Canadian crab fishermen saved an Arctic fox that had become trapped off the coast of Labrador.

Mallory Harrigan and her coworkers witnessed an iceberg in the shape of a mushroom four miles out at sea, and they believed they saw a young seal perched atop it. When they looked more closely, they saw that it was actually an Arctic fox that was trapped and unable to flee. The ice was being pushed out to sea by shifting winds, and the fox was in great danger.

Harrigan and her colleagues made the decision to save the fox without second thought. The terrified animal was able to enter their boat after they pulled up next to the iceberg. The fox put up a fight, but they knew they were his only hope for life.

When the animal finally made it onto the boat, Harrigan and the crew gave him a makeshift bed and some food to help him recover his strength. They all felt relieved when they arrived back at the harbor after the difficult trek back to dry land.

The crew released the fox as they arrived, then watched as he got up and trotted off. Even though it just took a few minutes of their time, the straightforward act of saving the trapped animal significantly changed his life.

We’re happy to have helped an animal,” Harrigan said, noting that the fox appears to be doing well and that he occasionally shows up to let his rescuers know whose life he was. “We still occasionally get to see him!”

Hearing tales of people going above and beyond to assist an animal in need is encouraging. Despite all the bad news, it’s vital to keep in mind that there are still good individuals in the world who are eager to assist those in need. The saved fox serves as a tribute to the effectiveness of empathy and kindness and a gentle reminder that even the tiniest act of kindness can have a profound impact.