Car wash workers just found a groundhog stuck in this woman’s car

Published on Sep 27, 2023 at 4:45 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

Last updated on Sep 28, 2023 at 12:47 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Kate Bain

From chapsticks to loose change – it’s amazing the things you lose track of in your car.

But imagine this driver’s surprise when carwash workers found a live groundhog in her front bumper.

The woman from Fort Wayne, Indiana in the US headed to the carwash to remove a dead bird that sadly got caught in her front grille.

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But according to WPTA, the bird turned out to be the least of her worries.

Heading to her local Mike’s Car Wash, she hoped to get the bird’s remains cleaned away and disposed of.

But workers were forced to call in the help of employees of the Jiffy Lube workshop next door when they found something entirely unexpected.

When help arrived, the carwash staff explained that they’d found a furry surprise in the shape of a groundhog living in the front bumper.

While a little bit startled and very stuck, the groundhog was still very much alive.

After first calling Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control (FWACC) for assistance, they were advised to take the car apart to get him out safely.

As they started to dismantle the vehicle, the groundhog made a bid to escape, making their job a bit more difficult.

Jiffy Lube manager on duty, Dalton Brenneke, described it as “definitely an odd day at work”.

“[The] last thing I expected was to be pulling apart a front bumper to remove a groundhog,” he said.

“We ended up having to take off the front skid-plate to give him room to leave the engine bay.

“After we got him out, he ran to the back of the car and hopped up in the rear suspension. Had to take off the left rear tire to get him out.”

Brenneke told media that the car owner was not charged for their services.

Despite staff waiving costs, the groundhog had chewed through some wiring, costing the driver $500 to repair.

The little guy was named “Mike” by the staff who discovered and freed him. 

He was then handed over to an FWACC officer who took him to safety.

Now that’s not something you see every day.

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London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.