Foxes
Captive Bred Foxes
Currently, in the United States, captive bred foxes are being raised two ways, either born on a fur farm to be pelted or bred for the "pet" industry. Foxes come to Walking Wild's fox rescue from a variety of circumstances. We provide a safe haven for foxes rescued from fur farms, surrendered by owners that are no longer able to care for them and captive bred foxes that have been dumped in the wild and are not able to survive.
Why aren't these foxes being released into the wild?
Many people wonder why the foxes that find a home at Walking Wild aren't being released into the wild. That is a great question! The answer is actually quite simple, they are not wild animals so they can't be released. The foxes that find a home at walking Wild are all captive bred. This means that they are multiple generations removed from their wild cousins and do not have the instincts to survive. Not only are they not able to survive in the wild, releasing one would be like letting an invasive species into the wild. Captive red type foxes can occur in over 70 different color morphs that don't occur naturally. These color variations, if in the wild, would not allow them to blend into their environment leaving them visible to humans and predators. All the foxes that find refuge at Walking Wild are not wild animals and need a specialized home to live the best life, that is what we provide them!
Foxes
Fur Farm Foxes
Fur Farm Foxes
Fur Farm Foxes
Walking Wild works with fur farmers around the US to take foxes that they are willing to surrender and provide them with a safe and loving home where they can be a fox.
"Pet" Foxes
Fur Farm Foxes
Fur Farm Foxes
Walking Wild provides a new home for foxes that were purchased from a captive fox breeder with the intent to be a fox pet, but that owners are no longer able to take care of them.
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Fur Farm Foxes
Many captive bred foxes are born and raised on a fur farm to be pelted. For foxes born on a fur farm a bleak existence lies ahead of them living in small cages and never touching grass, until they are pelted and hanging in someone’s closet.
Fur farm foxes are captive bred. This means they can not be released into the wild, as they are not wild foxes. Although, instinctually, they are like a wild fox, they have imprinted on people and most do not have the skills that are needed to survive on their own. To release one of these foxes into the wild is not only illegal, but cruel due to their imprinting on people and lack of survival skills. Because of this they need a safe place to call home.
Walking Wild's fox rescue will be working with fur farmers around the US to take foxes that they are willing to surrender. These foxes will either be pups that are injured or rejected by their mothers, foxes that are too small, sick, older foxes that are no longer of use to the farmer or foxes with coats that the farmer can’t use. We will provide these foxes with a loving place to call home, respect and room to be a fox.
**Please note that although Walking Wild does not agree with the practice of fur farming it is important to have a good relationship with the fur farmers so that they will surrender their animals to us. Walking Wild does not pay for any of these foxes.**
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"Pet" Foxes
Some people purchase foxes from breeders, excited to have a cool fox pet, but many of those people don’t understand what it is like to own a fox. People in these situations often end up neglecting their fox or feel that they have no choice but to abandon it in the wild where it has a slim chance of survival due to being captive bred and having imprinted on people.
Captive bred fox can not be released into the wild, as they are not wild foxes. Although, instinctually, they are like a wild fox, they have imprinted on people and most do not have the skills that are needed to survive on their own. To release one of these foxes into the wild is not only illegal, but cruel due to their imprinting on people and lack of survival skills. Because of this they need a safe place to call home.
Pet foxes that owner's are no longer able to care for them or that have been dumped in the wild will come from a variety of environments with various histories, so in order to build trust, it is important to create a new home that matches their former comforts. Walking Wild's fox are kept in a unique enclosure with access to indoor and outdoor space which allows these foxes to be more at ease.
If you currently have a pet fox and are no longer able to care for it please contact our fox rescue by clicking here.
What is it like to own a fox?
Interested in learning more about what it is really like to have a fox as a pet? Follow our Walking on the Wild Side blog to find out.