Black Foxes UK was called to action once again when another silver fox was spotted roaming the streets of Barry, Wales, catching the attention of locals. This time, it was a confident male fox, later named Shadow, who made his presence known to the community, leading to a two-week-long rescue mission that had everyone on high alert.
It all began in April 2023 when we started receiving numerous reports about an abandoned silver fox—a captive-bred line of North American red fox—wandering through Barry. Despite efforts to locate his owner, no one came forward. With the RSPCA’s resources stretched too thin to offer immediate help, they were only able to make a few unsuccessful attempts to capture him. That’s when Black Foxes UK stepped in.
We partnered once more with the local authority animal warden and SHUA Trust Home & Sanctuary, who had previously helped us capture an escaped silver fox in Barry in 2021. Their expertise proved invaluable, and after two weeks of careful planning and patience, Shadow was finally captured on the 24th of April.
Shadow, a two-year-old silver fox, was taken to Vets4Pets in Barry, the same clinic that treated Luna in 2021. Though there had been concerns about a leg injury, Shadow was found to be in good health. His confidence around people suggested that he had been well-socialised, likely raised as someone’s pet before his escape.
Following his capture, Shadow was rehomed with Animals Interactive, where he could live safely and comfortably. There were also reports of a second fox with an injury in the area, but despite ongoing efforts, this fox was never located.
We were incredibly grateful to the Local Authority Animal Warden and SHUA Trust Home & Sanctuary for their help. Their dedication, even in the face of busy schedules and challenges posed by COVID-19, was instrumental in the successful rescue of Shadow.
Though there are no ongoing donation drives at this time, we remain proud of the collective effort that went into ensuring Shadow's safety. His story, like so many others, highlights the importance of collaboration and the commitment to protecting foxes across the UK. Stay tuned for more stories of successful rescues and efforts to safeguard foxes in the future!
