The story of one family helping to save the life of a baby fox has been warming hearts across the internet after the little fox followed the family back home — having apparently mistaken their dog for its mother.
As babies, getting separated from their mothers can be incredibly dangerous for animals.
It is not uncommon to see wild baby animals wandering around, however, it can be difficult to know what appropriate action to take, if any, when trying to help certain animals.
However, one family recently found themselves helping save the life of a baby fox.
The Caballero family were on a regular walk around their neighborhood in Tempe, Arizona with their terrier, Olive, when something astounding happened.
A stranded baby fox began following the family around the neighborhood.
The baby fox had apparently mistaken the Caballero’s dog for its mother.
The little grey fox was apparently incredibly dehydrated and began gulping water furiously from the family’s sprinklers when they arrived back at their house, according to Bored Panda .
Foxes are usually known for being quite timid creatures when it comes to approaching humans; however, that didn’t stop this little fox.
The baby fox is so small that she could fit in the palm of your hand.
Measuring only 20 centimeters in length, the baby fox is truly tiny! However, that didn’t hamper her resilience!
Unsure of how best to help the poor little fox, the Caballero family contacted Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center [SWCC] was established in 1994, and rehabilitates “native wild animals that have lost their homes to development, or are found injured, orphaned, or abandoned”, according to its website .
The family kept the fox in a box until the center arrived!
Yes, they kept the fox in a box, as though they were living in a veritable Dr. Seuss story!
Once the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center arrived, the little fox in a box was fed using syringes; however, she has since been able to move on to eating from a bowl!
The baby fox is currently still safely with the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center.
The centre even held a virtual baby shower for many of their young animals online in an attempt to raise money for the centre. The centre took to their website to write:
“Our clinic is overflowing with injured and abandoned baby animals – some so young their eyes haven’t opened yet! Their care requires diligence, compassion and lots of supplies. Your donation to our Virtual Baby Shower makes you a partner in the care and feeding of these tiny, helpless wild ones. You’ll be helping them grow strong, so they can return to the wild where they truly belong.”
Little Foxy’s story has since gone viral.
Having garnered hundreds of likes, comments, and shares, people have been expressing their love for Foxy and her story, writing the likes of:
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“Ahh bless she looks bewildered poor little thing. So lucky she found all of you to take care of her. Great work, many thanks!”
“Please–can she come to stay with me? I’ll take really good care of her–I promise. That face!!”
“So relieved this adorable baby is in your care. Many thanks to SWCC and all its volunteers! We appreciate all you do so very much!”
Hopefully, it won’t be too long before Foxy is healthy enough to able to be returned to the wild.
In response to one person asking if Foxy will one day be able to be released, the centre responded, “Our ultimate goal is to rehabilitate and release all wildlife that come through our doors. It’s too early to tell if this baby girl is releasable yet, but we sure hope she [will]!”
Hopefully, Foxy will continue to get better and will be able to be released into the wild sooner rather than later!
h/t: Bored Panda
