To help a mangy scrap of fox?

[HarrietKettleWasHere]

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

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.

Place marking.

Excellent news.

My little band of hooligans have been very naughty. They keep making off with their food bowls so I am quickly running out. One of the cubs is very dominant and pushes the others, especially the smallest, off the food. Mum seems to encourage this behaviour

I am going to dot food allover the bloody lawn tonight in the hope little runty gets something.

Sounds like you've really got your hands full with that lot, happypoonum! How lovely though to get to see the babies like that. I hope the little runt one does ok.

Good for you op xx Foxes only have to live in town as they countryside is getting increasingly difficult for them these days,

I spend my life trying to deter my neighbour from feeding the foxes... and here's a whole thread of people encouraging it

You sound very lovely OP, but they are bloody annoying animals to have to clean up after constantly.

They can make a mess of bins in places (They're out on the street in bags so obviously animals can easily get in them) But they eat everything I put out. And where we live they can't get access to the bin room. I've yet to see any mess from them at all and I check regularly.

Anyone know about squirrels? Had a small one visit for a few days and fed it seed. Seems to have disappeared... sad :(

Oh I'd love a fox near me to feed...can get a photo for us to see

I'm trying! I need a fancy camera with a bit of night-vision. Trying to lure my younger brother round with a pizza in the hope he'll bring his SLR.

I hate the bloody foxes in my garden. Bastards. They torment my dog, destroy the fences and chased my poor cat down the garden and right round to the cat flap. And they make my dog stink.

Ah I love this thread! :) So pleased to see that Scrap's on the mend - well done Harriet!

I wish I had some night vision goggles - they are too expensive really to justify the spend.

Happycat plays with the cubs and the mum just looks on. I keep Happydog out of the way though as he is too stupid.

Aw sweet

The cats that live here couldn't be less bothered by the foxes. I know you hear some tales of foxes tearing up the place and being a general menace but...these two have caused no trouble at all. They don't even make any noise!

Absolutely love this,thread OP! I used to live in Sheffield and there were heaps of foxes. Amazing creatures. Please keep us posted and I echo others: giddy for foxy photos!

Can we have some recent pics OP?

Or is it too dark when they appear?

Shame he can't become a juniper-style cuddly house fox

I had my brother round with an app on his phone for night vision....still couldn't see the buggers clearly in a picture

Occasionally, I catch out the little Scrap round the front of the flats on my way back from the gym, where it's very lit, but he's like Usain Fox

Anyway, I proper freaked out on Sunday morning, as I was dusting the window sill looking at the blackbird family on the grass because, who should appear- Scrap!! Bold as brass at 10am. I was very upset initially because I thought it was the end...he'd gone deranged from mange...walking about in the day...

DP pointed out that he'd obviously been asleep under a big laburnum bush (he did shake himself off and yawn) and been disturbed by kids playing (noisy buggers) and all he did was take ginseng off to disappear under another bush further away. More to the point, his fur looked to be growing back very finely but still coming.

He's fine because last night he ate two pork chops

*Himself not ginseng

That's fantastic news! Glad to hear Scrap is still improving. Have you seen Russell too? for your continued care for your local foxes, Harriet!

Glad to get an update on the fox!

I've recently bought a night vision camera off Amazon, was £70 I think and has motion sensors and video, getting excellent pictures off it, may be something to consider if you have any spare cash, got this photo last week!

Just read this whole thread then had to phone dh to tell him, I would love to get lovely photos for you as I have night vision cameras but I'm on the south coast and is this place marking too blatant?

Bold as brass at 10am

My bastard foxes are out and about all day. And shrieking all night.

Lord knows where they get the energy.

Wine That's amazing. Badger's like "I know you can see me. I know you want me"

Kropla - We've nicknamed it 'porno badger'!

That badger

I'm still seeing Russel he doesn't nearly as much as that little Scrap though!