Let’s Talk About Cages.

“It’s so sad to see them in cages.”

This is a comment we see frequently, even from those who strongly support our organization and mission.

We understand! Wild animals look happiest and most beautiful when they’re running through fields and drowsing in tree tops. Large zoos are able to use painted backgrounds, glass enclosures, electrified wiring, and big moats to contain their animals, so their wards often appear to have a lot more space and freedom. Although our enclosures all meet or exceed the standards set by the NWRA and USDA, our iron bars and chain link fencing at For Fox Sake might look drab and depressing compared to what you might see at your favorite zoo.

The reason For Fox Sake doesn’t look like a zoo is because, we’ll, it’s not one! Our goal, first and foremost, is to provide temporary care for animals that will be returned to the wild after 3-4 months of treatment. Although we have a few nonreleasable education ambassadors, most of the animals seen in our photos are patients who are here only while recovering from injuries, or are young orphans that are still growing up. These patients will eventually be released to the freedom of the wild.

We don’t have a large budget or paid staff, and aren’t open to the public, so we focus our funds on the actual care of our patients rather than on creating the aesthetics seen in zoos. All of our patients’ enclosures have everything they could possibly need: ponds, exercise wheels, climbing surfaces, shelters, toys, clean water, and food sources. We prioritize keeping our patients happy, healthy, and entertained as they prepare for life in the wild, even if that may not be visible in every photo.

Although we agree that animals deserve free lives in nature whenever possible, we promise our patients are happy and well cared for, and that our ultimate, most important goal is always to give them the freedom they deserve!