Yesterday morning went for a walk in the countryside with our collie Suzy.Under a hedge by the side of a lane Suzy found a dog fox looking cold and damp with a few slight cuts.I think he was to shocked and weak to even snap at us so we put him in a box and took him off to the vets.
Our vets a realy nice guy and checked the fox and confirmed nothing was broken.He gave us some antiseptic powder for his cuts and said that if we took him home to nurse for 3 or 4 days he would waive his fee on the understanding that if he was ok after that we would release him back where we found him,we agreed.
We got him home and gave him a warm shower,fed,watered him and left him in the kitchen in a dog basket.we setteled in front of the fire in the living room in front of the fire with suzy,Two hours later Mr fox came limping in and after a lot of muzzel licking setteled in front of the fire with the dog.He even seems to like being petted,Even whinning at the back door so he can go out on a lead for WC
2006-10-27 05:20:43 · 24 answers · asked by Francis7 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The question I would like answered is can you domesticate a fox,and does this teach us humans somthing about coexisting with each other,He will be realeased in about 4 days when hes got himself up to speed.
2006-10-27 05:24:03 · update #1
At the moment whilst I am typing this I have the dog and fox asleep next to me.
2006-10-27 05:26:23 · update #2
I am in the UK vet says looks as though hes about 1yr old and had an argument with a car.
2006-10-27 05:57:53 · update #3
Thanks kramerdne,read it, a neighbour has lent us a pretty big rabbit hutch to keep him in but I can promise that we are going to release him in 3 or 4 days when hes up to it,Thanks again for the link.
2006-10-27 06:13:22 · update #4
Had the local poacher round today,nice guy he was genuinly interested and I know it sounds strange but he realy does care,had a look at the fox and reckons he will be ok to let go Monday today is Saturday after only 48hrs he looks a different animal although a little more wary of us
But as they say cold nose glossy coat but he has started paceing up and down the run so poacher guy says maybe sunday after a good feed,keep you all posted and thanks for all the helpfull answers.
2006-10-28 11:22:01 · update #5
Due to his recovery and kids round here seting fireworks off we decided to release him this evening at dusk he was in good shape but terrified of the fireworks and irrisponsible humans Good Luck to him last seen running into the woods.Thanks for all your answers
2006-10-29
06:02:56 ·
update #6
If you have had the fox since birth , then it is possible to domesticate him . However , keep in mind that his a wild animal that you found injured and weak . I have no idea how old he is/ Also, in most states, you need a special license to keep any kind of wild animal.
I can understand you growing attached, especially since he so lovable, but once he matures, his hunting instincts are going to develop and he may turn into being a nightmare. One someone who has a professional background training wild animals should attempt to domesticate a fox. I know that's not the answer you want to hear, and I can understand why.
I know it's not going to be easy, but the fox will be better left in the wild hunting for his own food..
Here's a link about foxes. Good luck.
2006-10-27 05:48:24 · answer #1 · answered by HDB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel that was so pleasant to read and although i don't know very much about a fox i have had dogs all my life and its always the animal lovers that come out on top when all animals are being criticised by the anti dog brigade i think you should let him go back to its natural habitat and you will no doubt feel you have done the right thing. Good Luck to you both and its nice to know your out there x for Suzy...i get the feeling your not here in the UK but America , am i correct
2006-10-31 03:39:54 · answer #2 · answered by srracvuee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are a really caring loving person to do this, this could have cost you lots of money and in this aultristic world that seems to be the be all and end all.
The only thing i worry about is the fox is still a wild animal (as said before) and once over the shock totally he may turn on your dog. Keep your promise to release him out into the wild - where you found him, and if he wishes to come back for feeds in garden then he will make his own way back.
Thank you for being a good person xx
2006-10-27 06:53:14 · answer #3 · answered by theoldecrone 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a very sweet story and you seem like a caring guy but what is your question?
Well it is probably possible that fox can be domesticated... but it is risky. Plus you want to do what will make the fox the happiest, and if he was born wild then living in the wild is probably what is best. However I am not there and that fox does seem to be rather friendly and seems a little domesticated already. It is your call.
2006-10-27 05:24:02 · answer #4 · answered by Kamunyak 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Frank Hello.
I hope you will contact a wild life sanctuary by phone and get their advice as the vet although he sounds lovely, as your kindness shows you are. May have some more experienced advice.
Where i live we have a very helpful organisation. But I'm sure it's not the only place so perhaps you could do a word search on 'wild life sanctuary' and then the name of your town. Just to make sure you're doing the right things.
There's a woman called 'the olde crone' who also gave an answer and she used a word i don't understand, so i think she should get the points innit.
ohhhh thanks for the points you gave me by the way
2006-10-28 07:23:59 · answer #5 · answered by : 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow tough question.... I would see how he acts in a few days because he could be a domesticated fox that someone dumped. You never know these days. If he starts getting wild and trying to get away then I would figure on releasing him. If he remains tame, I would keep him because he wouldn't be able to go back to wild.
2006-10-27 05:34:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as though your fox is an escaped or dumped captive bred fox.
No wild fox would go anywhere near a domestic dog or human even when severely injured.
It is an inbred survival instinct.
2006-10-27 06:08:47 · answer #7 · answered by davelambo01 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You say you have a "dog fox" do you think he is a hybrid?
It definitely sounds as if he has been tamed. Maybe call the newspaper and interest them in a story - perhaps he just got out and the owners would read?
Attached is a neat story about taming a fox.
2006-10-27 05:42:25 · answer #8 · answered by kramerdnewf 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i dont think its wise to try to domesticate a fox but if you can good luck what you got to remember is what other answers you had . even though your dog is a domesticated animal it took us humans quite some time to do it but if you want to give it a go then go for it .keep us posted
2006-10-27 08:42:50 · answer #9 · answered by peter.w 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Almost any animal can be domesticated but their animal instincts will never go away so you should be careful. If i were u i would get in touch with a wildlife sanctuary near you and see if they could take him. he might already be to tame to go straight into the wild. good luck tho.
2006-10-27 05:30:52 · answer #10 · answered by shining star 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋