Found an injured fox
If you've found a sick or injured fox, follow our guide to get them the right care quickly. Whether they’ve been hit by a car, attacked by a dog or tangled in netting, there are things we can all do to help. On this page you’ll learn how to identify and help an injured fox, what to do if you find a fox cub or a fox with mange, and how to report a dead fox.
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How to tell if a fox is injured or distressed
If you’re unsure whether a fox is injured or in distress, look out for the following signs:
- Obvious wounds or bleeding: And they have flies or maggots on or around them, or other signs of injury like a cut or broken leg.
- Appears wobbly or falls over: They’re staggering, wobbly, twitchy or seem lethargic (slow and sluggish).
- They don’t run away if approached: If you’re able to get near a fox without them fleeing (although for their safety and yours, try not to get too close), it’s likely to mean they’re unwell, as a fox would usually run away.
- Panting heavily: Or breathing with an open mouth.
- They don’t react to noise: And other changes in their natural behaviours, like sitting in one spot for an extended period, walking in circles or not reacting to their surroundings.
- Showing symptoms of mange: Find out how to help a fox with mange.
Other signs to watch out for
- If you see a fox limping that otherwise appears healthy and uninjured, this is likely an old injury that hasn’t healed properly. They’re usually best left alone.
- If you’ve spotted a fox cub alone, or you’re unsure if the cub is sick or injured, find out how to help them below.
Foxes and the road
Unfortunately, the main cause of fox injuries and deaths is road accidents. Every year, thousands of foxes are hurt or killed in traffic collisions. They’re most at risk during mating season (January and February), when they’re out searching for a mate, and in late summer to early autumn (August to October), when cubs leave their family to find their own territories.
If you see a fox in the road and they pose an immediate risk to traffic and human safety, or the fox is on a motorway, A-road or minor road, call the police on 999 – they’ll decide the best action to take for both the animal and road users.
If the fox has been hit by a car, or otherwise looks injured and is on the road, call the police on 999 and us on 0300 123 8960 – we’ll provide advice to get them the help they need. We have to prioritise cases of animal cruelty and neglect.
Spotted a sick or injured fox?
Don’t put yourself at risk to help an animal in a dangerous location, like a road, river, railway line or clifftop. Instead, report your concern to us.
Do's and don’ts
What to do with an injured fox
If you find a badger you suspect is injured or in need of help, call us on 0300 1234 999, so we can provide expert help. Here are some other do and don’t's:
Do
Monitor them from a distance: If they’re not in immediate danger or the injury seems mild, watch and wait, keeping a safe distance away (at least two metres). They may recover and wander off.
If the fox hasn’t moved and you’re unsure whether they’re asleep or dead, try approaching slowly and carefully with a long-handled broom, keeping the full broom-length distance away. Gently touch the fox with the end of the handle to see if it moves. If it doesn’t, find out how to report a dead fox below.
Get in touch: If they’re in immediate danger, in a dangerous location (such as road or railway track), they’re still there after a time, or it’s clear they need help, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife centre for advice on the best way to help.
Note: If you’re unable to reach a wildlife centre or rehabilitator, or you need further guidance, call us on 0300 123 8960 or report your concern and make a note of the fox’s location.
Don't
Don’t attempt to handle them yourself: An injured or distressed fox may feel scared or threatened if approached, and could react aggressively. For your safety and theirs, don’t try to pick them up or touch them.
Don’t let your pets near them: Pets may make the fox feel threatened and cause it to become aggressive. Keep your dogs on leads and away from the injured animal.
Don’t panic: By monitoring them and calling us for help, you’re doing the best thing for the fox’s welfare. Thank you for playing your part.
Don’t put yourself at risk: Don’t put yourself in harm's way to help. Instead, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife centre.
Foxes trapped in netting
Netting in gardens can be a real danger to foxes, particularly cubs. We receive hundreds of calls every year to rescue animals that have become entangled in sports nets or netting in gardens.
If you find a fox trapped in netting or fencing, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife centre.
Here's how you can prevent foxes getting trapped:
- Remove sports netting when not in use
- Don't leave netting up overnight
- Replace fruit or vegetable netting with metal mesh
- Use wood panels instead of nets for fencing (to prevent foxes getting tangled like this vixen at Stapeley Grange)
When to leave a fox alone
If they’re fully grown and healthy. Though they’re nocturnal, foxes can sometimes be seen out during the day to sunbathe. As long as they look uninjured and otherwise well, and they flee in your presence, they’re most likely completely fine.
Foxes with mange
Mange, or sarcoptic mange, is a disease caused by mites irritating the skin. It’s a common condition in foxes in the UK, which can lead to a large local declines in populations.
Mange in foxes is picked up through direct contact with another infected fox. For some foxes, the infection is mild and they recover easily, but for others, the symptoms are more severe and can even be fatal.
However, it's rare for mange to be passed to dogs or other pets.
Not all foxes who look thin or are losing fur have mange. Foxes moult their coats in summer, so it’s normal for them to look a little ‘scruffy’. You can tell if they’re moulting as you’ll be able to see their new fur growing underneath.
Symptoms of fox mange include:
- Being less afraid of humans and not running away
- Being more active during the middle of the day (especially in cold weather)
- Thin appearance
- Wounds around their tail (usually starting around the tail and moving up the body towards their head)
- Continual scratching
- Holding one leg off the ground or moving very slowly
- Bare skin looks like dry and cracked earth
- Fur loss or crusty skin
How to help a fox with mild mange
If you’ve seen a fox with what looks like a mild case of mange, it's best to leave them to recover in the wild, as they should still be able to move around and find food. You can help by providing small amounts of healthy food – such as canned dog or cat food, mince, dog biscuits, fruit or nuts as well as fresh water – which will help to fight the infection.
How to help a fox with severe mange
If you've seen a fox with severe mange and it doesn't run away when you approach it (make sure to keep at least two metres away), contact your local wildlife rehabilitator. Mange can only be confirmed by a vet, who’ll then prescribe treatment.
Be careful, foxes can bite and scratch
Injured or scared foxes may become aggressive if you get too close. Try to keep a safe distance away and monitor them before contacting your local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife centre for advice.
Found a fox cub
If a fox cub is in immediate danger – such as with an obvious injury or in a dangerous location – move the cub to safety, but only if it’s safe for you to do so. Try to handle the cub as little as possible. Then contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife centre.
If you’re unable to get to them safely, call us at 0300 123 8960 or report your concern and make a note of their location.
Sometimes a fox cub found on their own may not be orphaned. In the spring, it's normal to see young cubs out on their own during the day, developing their survival skills above ground. Usually, their parents are watching somewhere nearby, but won’t approach their cubs if there are people around. Vixens (female foxes) will also move their litter one by one if they feel the den has been disturbed.
However, if you see a baby fox alone, with no siblings or parents around, if it’s unclear if they’re an orphaned or abandoned fox cub – or you’re worried they may be sick, injured or in distress – observe them from a distance (staying out of sight).
- If the cub’s eyes are shut: The cub is dependent on their mother and too young to be above ground. Contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife centre as soon as you can. Don't try to rescue, handle or transport the cub yourself if they’re not in immediate danger, as they can be aggressive when stressed or injured.
- If their eyes are open: Monitor at a distance, out of sight, for a few hours. They may recover and wander off, or their parents may return for them. If after a time they still seem in trouble, check again in 24 and 48 hours, and provide food (such as canned dog or cat food) and water if concerned. Their parents are probably nearby.
Fox cubs who seem generally healthy, are able to move and have their eyes open are usually best left in the wild – given supplementary food and water, if possible – rather than brought into captivity. Their average stay in a wildlife centre is five to six months, which is a long time in a young fox's life.
Fox dens
If you find a disturbed den (such as during garden work) of cubs with no parents around, try to cover the cubs with a soft blanket or towel, leave the area and contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife centre immediately. If you disturb a fox litter and the mother flees, move away from the cubs and monitor them from a distance. Their mother should return when she feels safe and will move her cubs to another den.
An undisturbed den of cubs with no parents is normal. However, if there’s still no sign of a parent after a few hours, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife centre. Don’t touch the cubs.
What does a healthy cub look like?
Foxes have cubs in the spring (March to April) in their den below ground.
Urban foxes may give birth under a shed or other outbuildings.
BIRTH
- Born deaf and blind
- Have fluffy grey-black fur
- Weigh about 100g
- Fully dependent on their mother’s milk and warmth
If you find a fox cub with their eyes closed, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife centre as soon as you can.
TWO WEEKS
- Eyes open (which are blue at birth)
- Ears unfurl
- Fur changes to a dark brown
If you find a fox cub with their eyes open and otherwise appear healthy, monitor from a distance and check again in 24 hours.
Four weeks
- Fur begins to moult as their red adult coat comes through
- Muzzle turns white
- Eyes change colour to amber
- Eat solid foods
- Will leave the den for the first time (females stay closer, males wander off)
If you find a moulting fox cub alone above ground, they’re likely exploring outside the den with their parents nearby.
SIX–EIGHT WEEKS
- Fully weaned
- Have red fur
- Ears and noses are lengthened
- Will begin to explore on their own
SIX MONTHS
- Fully grown around autumn
- Self-sufficient
- Look identical to their parents
- Head off to find their own territories
TEN MONTHS
- Considered sexually mature adults
Fox cubs seen alone above ground with red fur and lengthened features (almost indistinguishable from adult foxes) are probably fully weaned and independent.
If you find a fox cub in immediate danger or is obviously sick or injured – at any stage of their life – contact your local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife centre immediately.
Found a dead fox
If you find a dead fox in your garden or on a road, or you’ve found a fox that hasn’t moved and appears to be dead, the best thing you can do is report them to your local council (or the police if posing a risk to human safety on a road).
Report fox crimes
Unfortunately, foxes aren’t currently protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, however it’s against the law to involve foxes in cruel activities such as fox hunting or using dogs to kill them (similar to badger baiting), or mistreat them in any way under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996.
Sadly, fox trapping and snaring is still legal in specific circumstances, but we’re campaigning for a complete ban. Trail hunting also remains legal, which uses fox scents – usually fox urine – for dogs to hunt, rather than the live animal, but still often leads to ‘accidental’ fox deaths. Thankfully, this is set to be banned as of 2026.
If you see any illegal / suspicious fox activity – such as hunting with dogs or general cruelty – call the police on 999 if it’s currently taking place, or on 101 for anything non-urgent.
Found another type of animal?
Find more information on how to help an injured wild animal here.
For quick advice if you’ve found a sick or injured small wild animal, or a
wild animal that’s bigger than a rabbit or a cat, is a farm animal, stray dog,
or an animal on the road, here’s what you can do to help:
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There are extra measures you need to take, so check our website to find out.
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Visit our website, or call us on 0300 1234 999.
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Call the Animal Plant and Health Agency.
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Call the police. On minor roads, call the police on 101. In certain circumstances, for example if you find a badger who appears uninjured and is on a motorway or A-road, call Highways England (0300 123 5000) or Traffic Wales (0845 602 6020) who will make arrangements for the animal to be removed. If they appear injured, call us on 0300 1234 999
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If you hit, or see somebody hit a dog, horse, cattle, pig, goat, sheep, donkey or mule, report the accident to the police.
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Call the local council.
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Read our small mammal guides on how to identify if a small wild animal is sick or injured, and how to safely pick them up and transport them to your nearest vet.
