While it is always unfortunate when wild animals require rehabilitative care due to illness, injury, or orphaning, we gratefully accepted a pair of juvenile red fox siblings into our clinic a few weeks ago. Their arrival provided an essential opportunity for social development for our existing red fox patient, who had been in care alone for several weeks. Red fox kits are highly social during early development. In their natural environment, they rely on interactions with littermates to acquire species-specific behaviors such as vocal communication, play-based motor coordination, and early hunting practice. These interactions are critical to raising an animal that can function independently post-release. Although we provide consistent, species-appropriate enrichment, there is no substitute for interaction with conspecifics. As soon as the single fox was admitted into rehabilitation, we immediately began reaching out to trusted colleagues within our network of permitted Georgia wildlife rehabilitators in hopes of finding a suitable companion. The arrival of these two healthy, similarly aged kits from Harris County made it possible to form a proper social group. Following a routine quarantine and health evaluation, all three foxes were introduced and are now housed together. Since their introduction, we’ve observed natural play behaviors, stalking, and appropriate wariness of humans—signs that they are developing along a healthy, wild trajectory. These foxes will remain in care through the summer and be considered for release in the fall, aligning with the natural dispersal timeline for their species. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor their growth, dietary needs, and behavior to ensure each individual is on track for a successful return to the wild. - To help support these patients, consider becoming a Fox Sponsor through our website. Sponsors provide recurring monthly donations that directly fund the care, feeding, and medical needs of our wild patients during rehabilitation. Learn more at https://savagehartwildlife.org/how-to-help/sponsors/ #wild #fox #redfox #wildlife #wildliferehab #native #georgiawildlife (fb)

Good morning, friends! As of today, our wildlife rehabilitation clinic is temporarily closed to new intakes. With 87 injured/orphaned wild patients currently in care—including foxes, turtles, squirrels, rabbits, and opossums—we have reached our current capacity, even in our expanded facility 😅. To uphold the highest standards of care, we are taking a few days to: ▪️Complete quarantine periods so we can safely combine litters. ▪️Deep clean and reset enclosures. ▪️Transition healthy patients to outdoor pre-release enclosures. ▪️Replenish critical supplies. On a positive note, we've recently celebrated several successful releases—freeing up space that now needs a good scrub before welcoming new wildlife in need. If you find injured or orphaned wildlife during this time, please contact Animal Help Now or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Georgia DNR to locate another licensed rehabilitator in your area. Our hotline remains open for wildlife-related questions or guidance—please leave a message, and a team member will return your call as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support. We will share an update as soon as we are able to resume new admissions. (fb)