When I had chickens the fox was my enemy, but today upon seeing this distressed animal all I could think about was how to help it. I went out into the garden and despite making encouraging noises towards the fox it bolted off and jumped through a gap in the fence at the bottom of the garden into a neighbouring one. I have put down a little piece of cheese and left the door of the now defunct hen house and run wide open so the fox can seek refuge should it wish to do so.
My heart aches thinking how much pain the animal has suffered with the loss of the eye and the terrible mange and lacerations on its skin. I am moved to tears just thinking about this poor maligned creature. I have contacted a local wildlife hospital for advice on the fox and await to hear from them. I hope it is sooner rather than later.
What a sad sight the poor creature is. Well done for contacting the hospital and I hope they can come up with something positive.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's such a pity...
ReplyDeleteOh poor thing, I hope he/she makes it alright. I'd like to know what advice the hospital gives you.
ReplyDeletePoor thing, it's hard to help wild animals too because to them everyone and everything is the enemy!
ReplyDeleteI have a little blackbird in a birdcage in my greenhouse at the moment rescued from those pesky cats this morning, we're trying to work out if its hurt or just in shock before we release the poor thing!
V xxx
Poor creature! I do hope he is able to get some treatment. Its hard to see wildlife in distress. I'm very worried at the moment as most of the birds have disappeared from my little back yard - not my Mum's garden where I work and which is still teaming with them. There are a lot of people who do so much good work for our wildlife so I'm sure your local group will try to help if they can.
ReplyDeleteAnd Simone, I really must thank you for being such a kind commenter on my blog. It really does buck me up when someone takes the time and trouble to let me know they like what they see. xx
The fox is generally an enemy around here too, but I hate to see any animal in distress. I hope the wildlife hospital can help.
ReplyDeleteMy friends found a fox in their garden, he kept coming to the pond to drink and looking up at their kitchen window as if asking for help - he was in a sorry state and covered in mange. They got someone from an animal charity out who caught it and took it to be treated. Hope your one-eyed fox will be ok - perhaps he will seek shelter in your hen house. I hate to see birds and animals in distress, it is so hard as nature can be very cruel at times:)
ReplyDeleteOh poor thing, nothing should have to suffer at all. My father in law puts out food for a fox every evening in his garden, it comes every night and will eat almost anything. You have yo be careful you don't get rats but it seems it feels safe in searching for food in your garden. Good luck with it. Xxx
ReplyDeleteWe always tend to think of nature as a beautiful thing and it is but it does have it's down side and can be quite cruel - it must be so difficult just trying to survive and hunt for enough food when you are well but this poor Fox looks quite ill. I hate to see animals suffer it really upsets me, I hope the wildlife hospital can help - Foxes are such beautiful creatures. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteSo sad! I would want to help it, too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nfws.org.uk/mange/
ReplyDeleteI don't know which country you live in but if you are in the UK maybe this link might be helpful. I trust and hope that the fox may return to you for help. I have a one eyed cat and helped another cat who also lost an eye; it's a distressing thing. I am not sure anyone is very interested in helping foxes sadly which is a great shame as they are beauriful creatures. It is our business to protect our hens and if we fail, it is our fault that we didn't provide safety and not the fox who is just trying to survive. I understand that when he raids the hen house and kills more than needed he later returns to bury his kill, when he will eat it later. When I think of the inhumane treatment humans give out to so many animals I do wonder when we mark certain animals out as being 'cruel' - like the fox or magpie for instance. Yet no other animal is so cruel as man. I wish you well with helping Mr Fox, sometimes we are unable to which is hard to bear so I wish you well and thank you for your kind heart. I hope you have seen him again since this blog post.
I forgot to say, please make sure that if you do find help they are about treating the animal and not putting it down. Some animal charities are not as charitable as they seem. Of course sometimes that is the kindest option, but one likes to know that other options were explored first.
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