On 13th July 2024, it became clear I had made an error of misunderstanding with regards to a legal statement made in the support of an animal rescue that assisted Black Foxes UK in January and February of 2024 by providing a permanent placement for three unrealisable wild foxes that were living in captive in accommodation that was due to be terminated, at the request of two UK wildlife rescues.
All I will say regarding the blunder, is it that it was a genuine misunderstanding on my part and deeply regrettable. It was the 'opposition' as much as the 'defendant' that created my confusion with all the online claims, which was compounded by my lack of diligence on checking the call for support. The 'opposition' group discussing my statement online in poor conduct is also the only reason I know about my blunder and the rescue will not be aware.
I had assumed I was writing a statement for a situation occurring between neighbours and the rescue over complaints of noise, poor hygiene and animal abuse, as seen in the vast numbers of comments online from both parties and is indicated by my statement. Not a DWA Application, although I feel all such rescues ought to be brought under such licensing or similar, in order to regulate them, then given a year to meet the new licensing requirements.
I have since written to the council to clarify the situation. As stated in my letter to them, I stand by my statement for the purpose in which it had been written.
The fox enclosure in question met our minimum standards and it is as adequate as any UK rescue's enclosure. While basic, there is shelter outside the enclosure connected via a pop-hole, with climbing enrichment and 400 square foot of space. They receive daily interaction and the foxes appear happy and healthy, also considering their health conditions. They are very lucky foxes. This is a new rescue, they have time to develop on their enclosures and we trust they are doing this.
There are no legal minimum requirements for the housing of captive foxes. They can be kept like a dog without any protections, a situation one of the foxes came from, with an eviction imminent. It was an emergency intake or a PTS. At the request of two UK wildlife rescues, to assist three wild rescue foxes that cant be released and needed lifelong care. There was no space anywhere for them elsewhere and the rescues also vetted the move, along with their keepers, after a public call for assistance was put out, where only the 'defendant' responded.
For anyone that has no idea - UK wildlife and animal rescue, as well as the entire veterinary sector, is in dire crisis. Many have already closed. Most have to refuse intakes as they are at capacity. There is no NHS for animals. A full rescue or vet practice has to turn away those asking for help. Most have no space for foxes, even without being at capacity. UK rescue is running on empty, constantly, with a greater and greater demand for their time and higher and higher costs.
It is so bad, that large wildlife rescues have asked for my assistance locating suitable emergency spaces for foxes. "We are not an animal capture organisation nor an animal rescue, despite aspirations. Assisting escaped and homeless silver foxes has been an informal response to a need on our part". We are an online education and citizen science website, without funds or resources.
There are few long term spaces available for foxes in the UK and more reputable rescues are closing under the strain, with more unregulated at-home-rescues setting up in their place (which is how all rescues start, but they have a learning curve to go through). It really doesn't matter if 'x rescue' is better than 'y rescue', as if neither have space, the fox will suffer or be humanely euthanised to end its suffering, regardless. Animal rescue is HARD. and when you add all the social media and bot nonsense, it is easily overwhelming, anywhere in the world.
If you have a sick or tame wild fox and the rescues are full, there is no help, you have to watch it suffer or watch it running through traffic until it is snared or in an RTA. Diagnosing and treating foxes yourself is not only breach of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, but increases the duration of suffering, disease resistance and cannot address the underlying issues, including the environment promoting the diseases. If you want to help it, not only do you need to be prepared to catch it and pay for it's veterinary treatment, you need to provide for its temporary care, which could be permanent, if it cannot be released. Do not assume the rescues will have space. If they did, they'd catch it.
If any rescue catches a fox that is sick or tame, with no space for it, it has to be euthanised on welfare grounds, legally. It is why when they are full, they have to turn you away or they will have to euthanise the foxes they have to capture but cant treat, even if only for lack of space. Some smaller rescues will do anything to save a life, even if it means allowing minor suffering.
If you raised a wild fox and for any reason, cant keep it and the rescues are full, you may have to euthanise on welfare grounds also. The growing public ignorance of how animal rescue works, what resources are truly available and their growing expectations for free and immediate first-class assistance are not aligned with reality.
UK animal rescues are battling an unregulated and growing crisis.
The lack of regulation for exotic animals and wildlife rescue (promoting the feeding of foxes, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of wild foxes, without having any facilities or training themselves), is adding to why reputable rescues are constantly over-whelmed.
Correctly regulated, keepers, breeders, wildlife rescues and exotic animal rescues would have regulation that meant any breaches of those regulations could be addressed. Very few of the UK's fox-based wildlife and exotic animal rescues have any standard, as there legally isn't any. Zoo's get the Dangerous Wild Animal Regulations to protect their animals, regular pets get a lot more protection to protect their welfare. Rescues are not zoos, though they might eventually transition into one. Animal rescue is not regulated in the UK.
Any licensing would be an improvement on the lack of need for it, as it currently stands. Half the exotic pets kept without any regulation used to be on the DWA, except foxes. Foxes used to be regulated under fur farming regulation, where a 1m x1m cage would have been the min. standard. Under licensing, issues can be addressed and people can then be held accountable for any potential failures.
Our new focus will be the push to develop membership for Black Foxes UK, to get the silver fox legally recognised and to get fox keeping regulated.
Thank you to everyone who made reports and that assisted the foxes and ourselves over the years. My heart breaks for the ones that didn't make it and I pray the others are living their fullest lives. Here's wishing all their keepers and ex keepers well.
We will continue to help them in a new way, moving forward! 🦊
