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Yes, foxes are pests when they kill native wildlife and stock and they do need to be controlled- however these foxes are doing neither and nor will they contribute to the wild population. I don't see the problem.

Dogs were originally in the wild too :shrug:

If only responsible people who care solely for the animal and not for status symbols adopt a fox, there probably isn't a problem.

However, see the thread "Red Dog Driving Kelpie Dumping" .

Yup, the onus is on the rescue group to ensure that their foxes go to responsible people, just like the onus was on kelpie breeders to ensure that their animals weren't being purchased due to a movie driven fad.

I don't think there is any evidence that the fox rescue are rehoming in an irresponsible fashion at this point so I am not going to condemn them out of hand. :)

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Haredown Whippets- I don't know much about the Shiba breed...are they very similar to foxes in temperament and behaviour? I don't recognise the other breed, but they are rather cute. :)

Some general thoughts on exotics...Australians keep many animals that are considered 'exotic' as pets. Large parrots, herps, many species of fish- many animals which require specialised care to provide for. Large intelligent parrots are particularly difficult to care for adequately...they are intensely social and are extremely long lived. Most people could not meet their needs, I know I certainly couldn't. But for those who can and do...*shrug*.

It is all very well to say 'why not just get a cat or dog', but for many people that would not be satisfying, just like how not all people are satisfied by the same breed of dog. I wouldn't be satisfied by a dog that didn't have prey drive- I would find it boring and frustrating. People who are hooked on guardy, sharp, handler focused high drive breeds would probably find my dogs very unsatisfying! Ferrets , despite being domesticated, are not suitable for all households by a long shot but I will never be without them- everything else [including many dogs!] pales in comparison. A guinea pig just wouldn't cut it after having ferrets. Perhaps some people feel the same way about foxes. :)

Foxes are intelligent and extremely adaptable and I have no trouble believing that a fox could have an excellent quality of life in certain captive environments- the fellow I mentioned in my first post said that Basil the fox genuinely liked interacting with him and would initiate playful interactions without any food bribery. Life in the wild is certainly no picnic after all...foxes suffer horribly from sarcoptic mange and all sorts of nasty afflictions.

This group is not like certain domestic animal rescue networks that 'must save at any cost'. It is very apparent that they consider the suitability of each individual fox...and if not suitable euthanise. There is absolutely nothing wrong with destroying foxes- they have no place in our rural and native environments- but nor do I see an issue with preserving a life if the circumstances permit to do so.

Kirty, I am very sorry that you lost your girl. What was her name?

Edited by Polecatty
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Hopefully I won't get shot down in flames, but I'd like to share my experience. I took on a 3-4 week old fox cub. She settled with us within 24hrs. She bonded with my cats and my dogs, but she was *my* girl. She was very affectionate, very playful and of course totally beautiful. I loved her like mad. I had her for almost a year and she was safely contained in the house or her enclosure all that time. Unfortunately a neighbour spotted her through the window one day and called the DSE. The people I dealt with there were extremely kind and understanding but I had to have her PTS. I was lucky to avoid a fine and I know it was silly to take her on, but she was honestly an amazing pet. I loved her to bits and I admit I bawled my eyes out when I saw this post yesterday. :(

People take on special needs pets all the time. People adopt demanding, higher-risk dogs all the time. If the homes are screened thoroughly then I don't see a problem.

So sorry to read this Kirty :( Why cant people mind their own bloody business :mad You'd had her for a year, she wasnt out roaming the streets or causing any trouble...as I said before people should mind their own business..........

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Hopefully I won't get shot down in flames, but I'd like to share my experience. I took on a 3-4 week old fox cub. She settled with us within 24hrs. She bonded with my cats and my dogs, but she was *my* girl. She was very affectionate, very playful and of course totally beautiful. I loved her like mad. I had her for almost a year and she was safely contained in the house or her enclosure all that time. Unfortunately a neighbour spotted her through the window one day and called the DSE. The people I dealt with there were extremely kind and understanding but I had to have her PTS. I was lucky to avoid a fine and I know it was silly to take her on, but she was honestly an amazing pet. I loved her to bits and I admit I bawled my eyes out when I saw this post yesterday. :(

People take on special needs pets all the time. People adopt demanding, higher-risk dogs all the time. If the homes are screened thoroughly then I don't see a problem.

So sorry to read this Kirty :( Why cant people mind their own bloody business :mad You'd had her for a year, she wasnt out roaming the streets or causing any trouble...as I said before people should mind their own business..........

I agree. How sad :(

Domestic cats kill so much wildlife in my area, but people are allowed to keep them :confused:

I have no problem with this type of thing as long as it's done carefully.

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I used to know a lady who has since died who kept a fox in town (small rural town). It was not well contained but tame with the family and family dogs apparently. It used to climb/jump out of the yard and was a likely suspect in a lot of pet rabbit killings. I am a little sad now that I did not ask her more about it but apparently it lived like a lot of pet cats, coming and going as it pleased, allowed in the house etc etc

Not sure what happened to it eventually but I would not be surprised if somebody shot it, I'm amazed it survived as long as it apparently did, being out and about all the time

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Anne she was nervous of strangers, but very friendly with my family and people she knew. She was very active and playful, and could be noisy if she felt like it! When she got excited she would squeal like a banshee! She loved to run around the yard with the dogs and liked wrestling with the cats. I used to bury eggs in her enclosure for her to dig up and tie berries to branches up high so she had to climb, etc. :)

I have heard that they can go a bit feral as adults if they aren't desexed. They can also be smelly but only when they release their scent glands. I think Loxy only did it twice the whole time I had her. Otherwise she just had a mild scent - not unpleasant at all. They are very popular as pets in the USA and that's where I got all my info on how to care for her.

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What I am doing is critically analysing the site, along with the media appearance. I'm not interested in blindly accepting what they say, I can see what they are doing with the emotive language and images they chose to use. They are creating a perception that these animals are suitable to be kept as pets, even if they cover themselves by denying it in the fine print.

As I said, I am not interested in asking them questions, as the website and media article convey a message I disagree with. Perhaps you could think about how the average person might perceive that website.

Naaw, and isn't that just what a lot of people do. Read the media, look at the surface, never ask questions - because they've already made their minds up. With Breed Specific Legislation, I butt heads with people like you all the time. Heck, there's already one person here trying to derail this thread into something about the breeds they so vehemently despise.

I, however, did email these people, and have learned a bit more. I'll be going there in a couple of weeks to meet them, their foxes, and see their operation fully. I think that's the only way to really get a fully informed opinion - rather than just getting your back up, with preconceived ideas, and running with it.

If you can't be bothered to really look into something, why do you bother commenting?

Kirty, so sorry to hear what happened to you. :(

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What I am doing is critically analysing the site, along with the media appearance. I'm not interested in blindly accepting what they say, I can see what they are doing with the emotive language and images they chose to use. They are creating a perception that these animals are suitable to be kept as pets, even if they cover themselves by denying it in the fine print.

As I said, I am not interested in asking them questions, as the website and media article convey a message I disagree with. Perhaps you could think about how the average person might perceive that website.

Naaw, and isn't that just what a lot of people do. Read the media, look at the surface, never ask questions - because they've already made their minds up. With Breed Specific Legislation, I butt heads with people like you all the time. Heck, there's already one person here trying to derail this thread into something about the breeds they so vehemently despise.

I, however, did email these people, and have learned a bit more. I'll be going there in a couple of weeks to meet them, their foxes, and see their operation fully. I think that's the only way to really get a fully informed opinion - rather than just getting your back up, with preconceived ideas, and running with it.

If you can't be bothered to really look into something, why do you bother commenting?

Kirty, so sorry to hear what happened to you. :(

Naaw, aren't you a condescending and nasty person?

Go and headbutt somebody else. There is nothing about any of your comments that makes me think you have the intelligence or enough unbiased information to discuss the issue politely or rationally, so I'm not sure why you bother. Have fun playing with the cute baby foxies.

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What I am doing is critically analysing the site, along with the media appearance. I'm not interested in blindly accepting what they say, I can see what they are doing with the emotive language and images they chose to use. They are creating a perception that these animals are suitable to be kept as pets, even if they cover themselves by denying it in the fine print.

As I said, I am not interested in asking them questions, as the website and media article convey a message I disagree with. Perhaps you could think about how the average person might perceive that website.

Naaw, and isn't that just what a lot of people do. Read the media, look at the surface, never ask questions - because they've already made their minds up. With Breed Specific Legislation, I butt heads with people like you all the time. Heck, there's already one person here trying to derail this thread into something about the breeds they so vehemently despise.

I, however, did email these people, and have learned a bit more. I'll be going there in a couple of weeks to meet them, their foxes, and see their operation fully. I think that's the only way to really get a fully informed opinion - rather than just getting your back up, with preconceived ideas, and running with it.

If you can't be bothered to really look into something, why do you bother commenting?

Kirty, so sorry to hear what happened to you. :(

Heck Plan B, that wouldn't be me would it? I find you assume that you know far too much about me. True, I'll admit I'm not fond of bull breeds especially and certainly not if they are DA but it doesn't mean that I dislike all of them, nor does it mean that I've never walked/interacted with them and found them new homes or given them other help.

I invite you to come and meet the 80 kilo bull mastiff cross that I've been helping for the last few months with food, bedding, medication and other essentials such as protection against the flies - all at my own expense - not a charity's. You won't be able to get into the yard with him as he doesn't like strange people but his owner will be happy to speak to you I'm sure.

I will be calling the lady with the two puppies - doubtless she's going to have to rehome her cat now. My advice to her was to ensure she attended proper dog training classes, not just puppy classes - she honestly hadn't thought it necessary. How do you think she'll go walking them along the road? I'd say it would be a challenge. What if they can get out over her fencing. What if they are DA? I'm trying to assist so that none of these things can happen. If she's told me she'd bought two chihuahuas, Beagles or whatever, no I probably wouldn't have been quite so concerned but I would have given the same advice - good training, good fencing and keep your cat safe. There are small children in the house as well.

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The story about Loxy was very interesting and also so sad.

I had tears in my eyes when I saw that beautiful photo of her all grown up in your arms Kirty.

I am very sorry you were placed in the position you were and I can only imagine how hard it would have been to pts a young, healthy, animal that you had nurtured from a baby .

Thank you for sharing her journey and providing some great insight into the subject of which this thread is about.

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