Canine distemper originated in North American domestic dogs in the late 1800s. Ever since, this deadly family of viruses has spread like wildfire through wild foxes, wolves, coyotes— and even unrelated animals like lions, bears, skunks, and raccoons. Many animals, like the Ethiopian wolf and Amur leopard, are now facing imminent extinction due to distemperContinue reading “Canine Distemper Decimates Wildlife”
Tag Archives: foxes
Can a Fox Hurt my Dog?
We had several calls this spring about baby foxes that were orphaned because their mothers were shot, usually by a neighbor or acquaintance of the finder. One of the most common reasons the shooter gave for killing these animals out of season? “I didn’t want it to kill my dog.” Foxes are far too smallContinue reading “Can a Fox Hurt my Dog?”
Any Mammal Can Get Rabies
For Fox Sake’s focus is on our local rabies vector species: skunks, foxes, and raccoons. But these animals aren’t “rabies vectors” simply because they can catch rabies, but rather, because they can live with it for several days or weeks and transmit it to other animals, including humans, during that time. It’s possible for absolutelyContinue reading “Any Mammal Can Get Rabies”
Should I Kill A Fox? It Might Have Rabies!
“It might have rabies,” is one of the leading reasons people give for killing wild foxes. Foxes and cats each account for about 6% of rabies cases per year, but, fortunately, no one suggests that we mass-murder stray kittens. Let’s have the same respect for wild animals, instead of slaughtering them because of the smallContinue reading “Should I Kill A Fox? It Might Have Rabies!”
Will a Mother Animal Abandon a Handled Baby?
You should never handle a wild animal because it stresses them and can spread disease, but it’s entirely a myth that a mother will abandon her young because of unfamiliar smells. This is not true of any animal species. If you, or a child, already handled a baby animal and it is not hurt orContinue reading “Will a Mother Animal Abandon a Handled Baby?”
Rodenticides Hurt Wildlife
The most common forms of rat poison are anticoagulants (poisons that cause uncontrolled bleeding). When a rodent is poisoned, it usually goes outside to die. There, it become slow, easy prey for snakes, foxes, hawks, owls, raccoons, and even your neighbor’s cat. We understand that live traps and snap traps don’t always work in casesContinue reading “Rodenticides Hurt Wildlife”
The Arctic Marble Fox Isn’t Arctic!
Despite its name, this beauty is a member of the exact same species that you might find naturally in your own neighborhood, right here in Chattanooga. “Arctic marble”’ foxes are simply a color variation of the red fox species. Although the marble pattern was popularized by the fur industry and pet trade, the mutation canContinue reading “The Arctic Marble Fox Isn’t Arctic!”
Rabid Animal? Don’t Shoot!
I specialize in rescuing rabies vector species. Among the most frustrating calls, messages, and comments I receive are from people bragging about how they saw a “rabid” animal, and reacted by shooting it in the head. When an animal does have genuinely rabies-like symptoms, it must be euthanized, not just for human safety, but forContinue reading “Rabid Animal? Don’t Shoot!”
Killing Foxes Won’t Save Chickens
Killing a fox to protect your chickens is not only ineffective— it often makes matters worse. Foxes are territorial and will exist in any suitable habitat. When you kill a big, mature, chicken-eating fox, his territory will almost immediately be filled by two or three younger foxes. Even if you kill them too— even ifContinue reading “Killing Foxes Won’t Save Chickens”
Trapping for Fur Isn’t a Job
For the amount of time involved in trapping, killing, skinning, and selling a fox, the $10-15 value of its pelt doesn’t even pay close to minimum wage. A 2015 study of American fur trappers, determined that essentially no one in the United States actually makes their primary living trapping fur animals. It is not aContinue reading “Trapping for Fur Isn’t a Job”
For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue 