Last year, Black Foxes UK assisted in the rehoming process for a fox in need of urgent placement. While we were not the legal guardians of the animal involved, we were contacted by the rescue organisation responsible, who sought help identifying a suitable and secure long-term home.
After reviewing available options, we provided details of a facility we had already assessed against our own internal fox welfare standards. As many will know, there are currently no formal legal minimum standards for keeping foxes in captivity in the UK, so we have developed our own framework — one that prioritises safety, security, species-specific welfare, and transparency.
The facility in question, Fripps Farm, met those standards. The final decision to rehome the fox there was made by the rescue, not by us, but we supported it as a suitable and welfare-conscious option.
Unfortunately, what followed was an intense wave of online trolling and misinformation, directed at both our project and the individuals involved in the fox’s care — particularly animal advocate Jodie Marsh, who runs Fripps Farm.
The sustained harassment caused deep distress to those targeted, with impacts ranging from anxiety and withdrawal to formal complaints and legal threats. While the pressure on us eventually subsided, Jodie continued to face persistent abuse and false accusations.
In response to the ongoing defamation, Jodie requested an official welfare inspection from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to independently verify the care standards at Fripps Farm.
We are pleased to confirm that the facility has now passed this review with no welfare concerns noted, confirming what we already knew: that this is a space where foxes can live safely, with attentive care, and where their welfare is taken seriously.
This independent review reinforces the decision made by the original rescue to place the foxes in question in Jodie’s care — a decision we helped facilitate. It also vindicates those involved, and highlights the needless damage that can be caused by online misinformation and mob harassment.
We understand that rescue stories can be emotionally charged, particularly when they unfold in the public eye and without full context. But let us be clear: our priority has always been, and remains, the welfare of the fox.
We are grateful to those who stood by us, and we thank Jodie Marsh for her continued strength and commitment to animal welfare under such trying circumstances. She has had a lot to contend with in her first few years running a desperately needed animal rescue facility. What she has acomplished is no easy feat, even for experienced rescuers.
We hope this independent clarification allows space for reflection and a renewed focus on what truly matters: compassion, collaboration, and the facts.
