An orphaned fox cub with his eyes still closed which was found shivering in a garden in Chester is now being cared for byRSPCA staff.

A woman came across the one-week old cub in her garden in  the Upton area on Friday (March 26)  and thought it was actually a puppy which had been abandoned.

She could see the animal shivering in a puddle so she wrapped it up in a blanket and took it to a nearby vets.

The vets realised it was actually a fox cub but because his eyes were still closed they called the RSPCA for help.

Animal rescuer, inspector Leanne Cragg was sent to the scene to collect the cub and transferred him to the care of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, in Nantwich, Cheshire, where he is now being hand-reared by staff.

Leanne said: “In these circumstances the mother will probably have been moving the cubs to another location and may have dropped him but they usually return to collect them.

“Sadly the woman who found the cub thought it was a puppy and with good intentions rushed it for help at a nearby vet’s.”

The cub will now be cared for at the RSPCA centre where he will be fed with a special formula to replace his mother’s milk bottle until he is strong enough to eat solids. Once he is independent he will be released back into the wild. 

Lee Stewart, manager at Stapeley Grange, said: “Our dedicated staff members are now feeding the cub around the clock with puppy until he is ready to take solids and he will be with us until he is strong enough to be returned to the wild.

“We are so grateful to any member of the public that takes the time to contact us about animals they fear need help.

“However, it is important to remember that not all young animals need rescuing and many would be better off being left where they are and monitored for as long as possible as the parents are usually nearby. 

“Our advice is that if you see a lone baby wild animal, unless they are obviously injured or in immediate danger from predators or traffic, monitor the situation from afar as they may not need rescuing. Young animals have a much greater chance of survival if they remain with their mothers.

“If you find a fox cub on their own and their eyes are open, the cub is probably fine – the parents will usually be nearby. Leave a supply of dog food and water nearby and check again after 24 hours. If the cub is in immediate danger – on a road or somewhere very exposed – safely move the cub to a sheltered, safe spot nearby, handling the cub as little as possible.”

Foxes that become used to humans do not survive in the wild and cubs should only be taken into captivity as a last resort. 

If you find a fox cub that’s injured, sick, in immediate danger or has their eyes closed then please call the RSPCA for advice on our cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999. More information on fox cubs can be found on the RSPCA website.

To support the ongoing work of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre during this extremely difficult time, please donate to their Justgiving site: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/RSPCAStapeleyGrangeWildlife?success=true

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.

A video of the cub can be downloaded from this link:  https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/DeONd4ucDM/dXMtNjk1OGVmZTktYWY4ZS00ZGQzLTgwZDMtNmM5ZjFmOWM3NDBk