05/09/2025
What began as a single red fox patient quickly grew into a full-fledged fox season. In less than a week, four gray fox kits joined our care, each with a unique origin story and needing extensive support to one day return to the wild.
Case 1:
The first gray fox kit was discovered at a school in Columbus. Estimated at just 10 - 14 days old, she was severely dehydrated, malnourished, and covered in flies. Flystrike had already taken hold, and maggots were actively damaging her internally along the caudal region.
Stabilizing her took several days, but within the first 24 hours, she was parasite-free, likely relieving much of her discomfort. Thanks to targeted hydration and nutrition support, she is now doing well and is expected to be released later this summer.
Cases 2 & 3:
A few days later, a good Samaritan spotted a gray fox kit sitting in the middle of River Road in Columbus. After safely stopping, they found a second sibling nearby in the grass. A careful search of the area confirmed that their mother had been struck and killed by a vehicle, leaving the kits orphaned.
They were approximately 3 -4 weeks old and, thanks to immediate rescue, were in good physical condition despite being frightened. These two have each other, and their feisty behavior is a promising sign. We expect a full recovery and successful release later this year.
Case 4:
Our fourth gray fox, estimated to be 10 days old, was found sitting alone near the edge of a road in south Columbus. Her eyes were matted shut with discharge from trauma she sustained—likely from a glancing blow by a vehicle. Cars were swerving to avoid her until one person stopped and called us.
She was triaged immediately, and within 24 hours had made remarkable progress. Her eyes are now open, she is alert, and we anticipate a full recovery.
Preparing Them for the Wild
Gray foxes are uniquely adapted among North American canids. They have the impressive ability to climb trees, a behavior that plays an important role in how they avoid predators and navigate their environment. This means their rehabilitation must include more than food, safety, and avoiding habituation; it requires enrichment and environmental stimulation that mirror the complexity of their wild world.
Why We Need Your Help
These patients are omnivores, but their diets require a significant amount of meat-based protein, one of our most expensive and the most essential ongoing needs. We’re adding a donate button to help offset the cost of their nutritional care.
To prepare them for release, we’re currently outfitting two outdoor enclosures: one for the red fox already in our care, and one for this group of gray foxes. These spaces will simulate a natural habitat and help develop key behaviors like foraging, climbing, hiding, and hunting. We are currently looking for a landscaping company willing to donate services to help outfit these enclosures with natural features.
How You Can Help:
Rehabilitating these five foxes requires more than compassion—it takes a network of support. Here’s how you can be part of their recovery:
Make a donation to support our efforts: 👉 https://savagehartwildlife.org/how-to-help/donate/
Shop our wishlists to send enrichment items directly:
🛒 Amazon Wishlist - https://a.co/8ACdwoO
🐾 Chewy Wishlist - https://prf.hn/click/camref:1011libEu/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chewy.com%2Fg%2Fsavage-hart-wildlife-rehabilitation-inc_b77506439
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