On 12th December 2024, we received an urgent call about a fox trapped on a wire fence in
Storrington, West Sussex. The homeowner had noticed her dog barking the night before
but hadn’t realised the fox was in distress until the following morning. When she found the
poor animal entangled, she immediately called us, feeling deeply regretful for not
investigating sooner.
Within an hour, our team arrived and carefully freed the fox. Unfortunately, its rear leg was
severely injured. After assessing the situation, we concluded that while a front-leg
amputation would likely compromise the fox’s mobility and quality of life, there was a good
chance that adapting to the loss of a rear leg could allow the fox to live well with proper
long-term care.
Thanks to Lisa from Vethouse Arundel—a veterinarian known for her wildlife-friendly
approach—we secured an agreement for the surgery. However, ensuring the fox’s post-
operative care and rehabilitation was our next challenge.
Finding the Right Sanctuary
In the busy summer months, wildlife rescue centres across the south often reach full
capacity, leaving few options for foxes in need. Earlier this year, one of our volunteers had
visited Jodi Marsh’s sanctuary at Fripps Farm in Essex to deliver other rescued foxes. The
volunteer was impressed by the sanctuary’s facilities and the care provided, which gave us
confidence to seek Jodi’s assistance once again.
Jodi kindly agreed to take in our injured fox, offering it a home in a spacious enclosure
equipped with play tunnels and other enriching features. Her sanctuary benefits from a
dedicated team of staff, volunteers, a vet nurse, and a visiting veterinarian—a setup
designed to ensure the well-being of the animals in her care.
On 13th December 2024, our team member Simon transported the fox to Fripps Farm.
Upon arrival, Simon was warmly welcomed and given a tour of the facilities. Based on
what he saw and heard, we felt reassured that this fox would receive the care it needs to
recover and enjoy a good quality of life.
Addressing Concerns
People are understandably passionate about wildlife, and as a result, all rescue centres
face their fair share of criticism. It is simply not possible to please everyone in this day and
age. Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation is often a heart-breaking task, with difficult decisions
that many people do not fully appreciate.
We are aware that questions have been raised about the sanctuaries we partner with,
including Jodi Marsh’s Fripps Farm. From our experience so far, we were greatly
impressed by the facilities and the apparent dedication of the team we met. However, we
understand that all rescue centres operate under challenging circumstances, and it is not
uncommon for sanctuaries to be the target of scrutiny.
We remain committed to monitoring the welfare of the animals we rescue and ensuring
that the choices we make are in their best interests. While we cannot guarantee perfection, we strive to work with sanctuaries that align with our values and provide the best possible
outcomes for wildlife.
A Bright Future for Our Fox
The fox we rescued from Storrington is now recovering in a safe and enriching
environment. Fripps Farm’s spacious enclosures and thoughtful features provide an ideal
setting for rehabilitation. This second chance at life would not have been possible without
the collaboration of all concerned.