Wild red foxes lead exceptionally difficult lives in Australia, but Charlie Jackson-Martin has made it his mission to help save red foxes in Australia.
Injured or abandoned red foxes in Australia cannot be re-introduced into the wild because they are non-native species and considered a pest. The animals are often killed because they hunt native birds and livestock. But Charlie has come up with a different plan.
Charlie shared the photos below with Reshareworthy.com, and they come with a serous cute alert.
Charlie founded Sydney Fox Rescue in 2012 after his friends found a fox abandoned on a farm.
Foxes can legally be kept as pets or “non-returnable rescues” in Sydney, New South Wales, where he lives, as long as the animals are desexed, vaccinated and kept in a secure enclosure.
The rescue takes in injured or orphaned foxes and brings them to their shelter where they spay and neuter the animals before re-homing them.
They work to try to tame and socialize the young foxes and then find them homes with human families as well as zoos and wildlife parks.
“The majority of the animals we work with are young, orphaned or injured,” said Charlie. The rescue provides an alternative to hunting, poisoning or snaring the foxes, but at the same time preserving the native environment.
The rescue has successfully re-homed 27 foxes since they began.
Foxes may not be considered “pets” exactly, but that doesn’t mean they can’t fit in with a family and get along other animals.
“They love dogs, but they are quite cat-like in their sense of independence, the way they are shy with strangers and their hygiene (they wash themselves and can be taught to use litter trays), they also love climbing, digging, chew toys and are very curious and playful,” wrote Charlie.
Charlie likens foxes to a cross between a dog and a cat. They are very smart and very independent but also like to snuggle up on the couch.
With the proper training the rescued foxes can also be taken for walks in the park and be socialized with other animals.
This is Robin. Robin adores playing with Rocket (cattle dog cross).
Robin lives with Charlie, Renly the cat and Louis the dog.
Below is a photo of Foxy, who was rescued and now has a home with a few other rescue foxes and animals. “Foxy Loxy (Little Sox) has just blossomed since taking up residence with Vixen, Comet, Rowena and the rest of the furry family,” wrote Sydney Fox Rescue. “Never thought I’d see her this calm around other animals! Really something special.”
“It’s so exhausting being a fox. It always helps to have a kitten friend to cuddle up with doesn’t it Little Sox/Foxy Loxy.”
Vixen gets a wash from Comet the cat. “Nothing like a cat-buddy to keep up your grooming standards!”
“Lovely to see our adult foxes playing so gently with the new rescue pup,” wrote Sydney Fox rescue.
Robbie plays tug-o-war with Summer.
“One is not like the other…”
Vixen hangs out with her doggie buddy.
Foxes really love to bathe in the sunshine. Below is DT enjoying a nap.
Sydney Fox Rescue unique and compassionate solution to rescuing foxes is simply awesome.
All photos were published on Reshareworthy.com with permission from Sydney Fox Rescue.
If you’re interested in adopting a rescued fox, you can find out more about Sydney Fox Rescue and their work on Facebook and at their website.
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