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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To help a mangy scrap of fox?

374 replies

HarrietKettleWasHere · 30/03/2017 23:46

I know I know, urban foxes get a lot of bad press. Yes they are naughty when they rip open bin bags and make a mess.

And yet, I think they are beautiful. We live in a block of flats (on the back of a big park) and around about Christmas time I noticed one sloping about at night. Actually we used to have a lot of mice/rats down where the rubbish room is so maybe he was attracted to that. He's beautiful- all rusty and bushy. I know it's a bit naughty but I started slipping him the odd bit of chicken or bit of ham. I would never want to get too close as he should be wary of humans would kill to stroke that gorgeous tail but he knows where I live and he will often trot by about 11pm to see if I'm at my window.

So a few nights ago he started bringing a little friend. I thought he looked a bit odd- like stumpy and mishapen and tonight I got a good look at him and he's all bald-patched and mangy Sad

Poor little scrap! And also it'll probably spread to my beautiful original fox as it's contagious. Can I help him? Are there mange tablets you can put in food? He comes every night pretty much so he would eat it. Would dog tablets work? Obviously I couldn't bathe him or give him drops totally would if I could

Please can I add the foxes are very respectful of the neighbours. They do all their shagging in the park and they can't get into the bins! There are a couple of cats here but they are totally unbothered by them.

OP posts:
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Aroundtheworldandback · 30/03/2017 23:50

It's a living breathing animal that can feel hunger and pain. Hell I'd feed it. My dad's even more bonkers than me and his 'pet' fox gets only the best organic leftovers.

Haudyerwheesht · 30/03/2017 23:53

Look at this link and they'll send you the treatment free here . Poor wee thing.

goldielocks29 · 30/03/2017 23:56

Poor mr fox! I'm a soft touch and love the foxes that frequent my garden, I'd help them if I could, they're such beautiful creatures!

Cleebope · 30/03/2017 23:56

Oh yanbu I would kill to have a visiting fox or even a squirrel to feed , I just make do with birds instead, I love nurturing wild animals and foxes don't live long as they have a hard life

thecatneuterer · 30/03/2017 23:58

The Fox Society can send you medicine to put in the food. Doughnuts work best. It's difficult to make sure that the right fox gets it of course.

MyLittleBoyBlue · 30/03/2017 23:59

Yanbu, would a wildlife charity trap it and treat it? Might be worth a google, I know they do that for feral cats.

Is it better to get them raw chicken wings for food? Can't remember, think pil did that when they had visiting foxes.

JonSnowsWhore · 31/03/2017 00:01

They're not naughty at all, they wouldn't rip open bin bags & leave a mess if inconsiderate humans didn't leave them on the floor instead of putting them into big bins Wink

I love foxes too, I live in a very urban area but on a close, so we get them out here all the time, I love watching them. I'd love to feed them but I'm far too tired at the moment to get up in the night, but I bet it'll become my new hobby when this baby is born & keeping me up lol.

If I left food out before I went to bed then all the chubby cats round here would get there first Grin

I sooo wanted to go to that pop up fox cafe that was in London but I didn't get picked for tickets :( they're so beautiful, one day I'll get to make friends with one lol

ohfourfoxache · 31/03/2017 00:03

Was going to recommend the website linked in Haud's post.

Please, if you're able to, please feed and treat it. It's a living thing that deserves to not be in pain from mange.

Personally I'd feed them too. I love foxes (you may be able to tell!) and would happily feed any visitors.

Oh - and apparently they like eggs. Just whole chicken eggs. They are supposed to be really good for them too.

Restorativepowersoftea · 31/03/2017 00:04

I love foxes and I love this thread Smile good luck OP, save that fox!

Original poster
HarrietKettleWasHere · 31/03/2017 00:05

Thanks for the links and the info! That's great that I might be able to help him! Will do some proper research on that tomorrow.

Oh they do have (raw) chicken wings quite often! And sometimes casserole steak. (I wanted to play down my feeding then in the OP because I thought I might get a bit flamed for 'encouraging vermin' as some people call them Sad ) honestly they are no trouble and ever so quiet and sweet. And they definitely know here the food comes from as they will sit in the bush under the window and wait.

Donuts! Wouldn't have thought of that- they obviously have a sweet tooth!

OP posts:
SparkleSunshine201 · 31/03/2017 00:09

YANBU and so lovely of you to care for them. Flowers

thecatneuterer · 31/03/2017 00:14

Doughnuts are only for delivering the medicine. Yes they do have a sweet tooth but it's not a great daily diet. I have successfully treated quite a number of mangy foxes and have been able to watch the fur grow back.

Original poster
HarrietKettleWasHere · 31/03/2017 00:16

Oh if be so happy if I can get his fur to come back! His head and tail seem ok but his poor back is in a bad way. He's got through the winter thankfully but I'd love to see him looking healthy.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 31/03/2017 00:17

Mange kills them. If you have no luck getting the medicine please pm me.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 31/03/2017 00:17

My dad had to stop me throwing some of my KFC out of the window for a rat....
Foxes absolutely, i live to inner city to have seen one though :(

KoolKoala07 · 31/03/2017 00:17

I think what you're doing is really sweet op.

stonecircle · 31/03/2017 00:18

We had one who used to come every evening and look in through the patio doors. She'd put her head on one side like a dog if she was puzzled. Got to a point where she would take food out of our hand - and was so gentle.

I did order the treatment from the website above for another fox but it took so long to come the fox had moved on by the time I got it.

Original poster
HarrietKettleWasHere · 31/03/2017 00:18

I will do thecatneuterer, thanks. Will try and get some medicine sorted tomorrow.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 31/03/2017 00:20

Some of my foxy visitors. One used to come in through the cat flap - I sadly haven't seen him for a couple of years now.

To help a mangy scrap of fox?
To help a mangy scrap of fox?
To help a mangy scrap of fox?
TheWoodlander · 31/03/2017 00:22

I love foxes - we live in a n area without wheelie bins. We still put black sacks out on the roadside on bin day. The fools that put them out them out the night before - well, let's just say the foxes round here are rather fat.

YANBU, I'd always help the fox.

SheSaidHeSaid · 31/03/2017 00:22

It's a living breathing animal that can feel hunger and pain

Exactly this.

Well done, OP Smile. This has warmed my heart a little tonight.

TheWoodlander · 31/03/2017 00:24

And mine, SheSaid Smile

PamplemousseRouge · 31/03/2017 00:25

Good luck OP! :) I also think you're doing a lovely thing by helping the fox. Please keep us updated!

Addley · 31/03/2017 00:25

Was about to try and gently break it to you that the fox in your first pic isn't actually a fox, until i clicked to enlarge Grin

shitgibbon · 31/03/2017 00:25

This thread has made my day.