Injured fox-what to do!?

[jenniprice]

I was driving to work yesterday and saw a fox walking along the road(quite a busy country road i use).
it was about 8.20am and light as day.
i know foxes are Nocturnal so was worried when i saw it.

I stopped and had a look and one of it's back legs was injured and holding it up.
i pulled over and called RSPCA but said unless i catch it there's nothing they can do.

I left it as looked healthy and thought will keep an eye out.

Anyway driving same way to work and saw it again today!
This time it was in field next to where was. it was just stood there looking at sheep. again it was light so i was even more worried.

I've called an animal rescue centre 2day and they're going to look today, but worry they wont find it as maybe hide?

Anyway my idea is maybe try catch it with food if see it again?
Is this a totally bad idea or worth it?
I know they can be viscious but i just worry bout it, as hate the thought of it in pain.
thought take blanket, cat box and garden gloves, and scraps of chicken and see if he's hungry and tempted by it.

the woman from resuce said if do catch it ring her or take to shelter nearby.
she said i could throw blanket over-depends how weak it is ofcourse, but bet by 2moz it will be hungry.

I just dont know what to do, i'm just sad and worried and want to help.
I'm just hoping the woman i spoke to is able to catch it...

[Jillius]

Try ringing a vet and see what they say. I have never found the RSPCA very helpful, sadly.

[LoftyLottie]

I know just how you feel jenni. I would be just the same. I think you should perhaps leave it to the animal shelter today. They will have the correct equipment with them to try to catch it. I never find the RSPCA any good - they never put themselves out! Animal shelter people are usually very good.

I don't think you should try catching it yourself. Unless it is extremely weak, it will not let you anywhere near it and would still put up a fight.

I know it's really hard, but you have to tell yourself that many wild animals are injured and perish and they go unnoticed. However, as I said I would feel just the same as you.

[LoftyLottie]

Just seen Jillius' answer. Yes, some vets might be willing to help. Glad Jillius and I agree about the RSPCA!

[DrFilth]

it is not nice to see an animal suffer but please do not try to get hold of it . they have nice sharp teeth and will not realise that you are trying to help.


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[Jillius]

Thanks for agreeing with me Lofty ! The RSPCA programmes on tv show them being very helpful but in reality they don't seem to care. We once had a stray cat who had kittens in our garage and when my mum rang them they said 'put them in a bucket of water !!'

[Ethel]

A vet won't be interested as foxes are classed as vermin.

Foxes do roam during the day - I often see them in my garden and the field beyond. They love to get on my shed roof and sunbathe.

You've done all you can and really you should put it out of your mind - nature is cruel at times

[jenniprice]

Thank you for answers. Like say you are right, best not to catch it.

I only got the number for wildlife rescue today, so maybe if I see it again I may park up and stay where it is and ring her as she seemed very helpful.
Then she could try catch it.

I'm worried it's hungry aswel, shall i leave some scraps around, but maybe another animal may get them?
or will it prolong its injuries?

[Ethel]

Leave well alone.

[Jillius]

I feel so sorry for you being in this predicament cos I would be just the same as you. I would put food out for it, definately. Putting it out of your mind is easier said than done ! We have lots of deer round us and I am always scared that I will see an injured one in the road cos I wouldn't know what to do either. Good uck.

[LoftyLottie]

Actually Ethel, vets will often treat injured foxes, vermin or not.

For example

http://blog.grovelodge.co.uk/138/rescued-fox-c ub

[LoftyLottie]

I am just as soft as you really Jillius. Found an injured deer once and covered it up with my coat and sat on the ground with it until the forest ranger came. He had to shoot it because it had a badly injured pelvis :o(.

So, although I agree with Ethel, jenni, that you should leave well alone, I would probably go along with some food too, because that's just how I am.

[naomi24]

Our vets would treat it. They treat any wild animal that's brought to them, and they don't charge, but we do live in the country so I don't know if that makes a difference. However, catching it won't be easy, or necessarily the wisest thing to do. Don't forget it is a wild animal, and Injured they can be pretty dangerous. It's the fight or flight syndrome, and if it can't escape the chances are it will fight. As cruel as it may be, sometimes we have no choice but to leave nature to its own devices. I'd find it as upsetting as you do, though, so I can understand your concern.

[LoftyLottie]

Hi naomi. Yes our vets would treat it too, although they wouldn't go out specifically to catch it. You would probably have to take it to them. They would go out to one that was lying injured on a road though.

Don't know about town vets - I live in the sticks.

[danchip]

foxes are very resillient animals and often injure themselves, if it was really that bad it would not be out and about during the day

[naomi24]

Hi Lottie, I don't think ours would be sent out specifically to catch it - but knowing one or two of them, they're so soft with animals they just might come after they'd finished work and then take it back to the surgery. :o)

[Ice.Maiden]

http://www.animalrescuers.co.uk/html/wildcents .html

Depends on which part of the country you're in Jenni. The link above gives details of various rescue centres, and those that deal with foxes. If you contact them, they'll either be able to help, or put you onto someone who's in your area.
Don't try and catch the fox yourself. It most likely WOULD bite, if it felt cornered.
Let us know what happens.

[LoftyLottie]

Yes, naomi. Our vets are like that too. Very dedicated to all animals, which is how it should be really!

[lankeela]

Ok at the risk of upsetting all you do gooders, the best thing is to get this poor animal put out of its misery if it is in so much pain and will gradually starve to death. Call the local hunt kennels and they will take out a couple of hounds to track it and despatch it quickly.

If it is not badly injured then it will escape and recover. Its called survival of the fittest.


(Sits back and waits for the avalanche of insults.)

[pbeach]

If you live anywhere in Bucks/Oxon or the environs you can call St. Tiggywinkles...
http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/
Absolutely brilliant for this kind of thing. And well worth a donation

[danchip]

lankeela is that still legal, however they will go out and shoot it if you let them know, they have a number of uses for fox carcasses