On Thursday, May 11 the SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center received 3 young gray fox kits that the finders believed were orphaned or abandoned. on Thursday night, May 11 the SPCA successfully reunited the babies with their wild parents.
During examination, SPCA Wildlife Center technicians determined that the 3-4 week old fox kits were very healthy, alert, hydrated, and active. We decided to attempt to reunite the healthy kits with their parents overnight, as foxes are nocturnal. We placed a dog crate in a yard in Marina near where we suspected the den was, and left a motion-activated camera to monitor results.
Gray foxes are native to this area. They are nocturnal and omnivorous, and often prey on rodents. Baby foxes are raised by both parents, and a single parent is usually successful raising babies alone if their mate is sadly killed.
Fox kits may start venturing out of the den at about 4 weeks old, so it is likely the adventurous babies are still unsure where to go and how to explore their world. It is also common for kits to play together unattended before returning to their parents at night. We thank these finders for trying to help these little kits, but unlike other species we typically reunite, foxes are allowed more leeway at this age and can be left alone for up to 24 hours before there is a need for concern.
The SPCA Wildlife Center is the only full-service wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in Monterey County, rescuing over 2,500 injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals every year. Right now, we are caring for 42 baby animals, including skunks, opossums, owls, pigeons, jays, and crows.
You can help:
Purchase gifts on Amazon at SPCAmc.org/baby-shower
Give at SPCAmc.org/donate
If you see injured or orphaned wild animals in need in Monterey County, please call us at 831-264-5427 or visit www.spcamc.org to learn how to help.
Everything the SPCA does for rescued wild animals is only made possible by your compassionate support.
The SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is the only full service wildlife rehabilitation center serving Monterey County. We operate under permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Your support is extremely important to us, as we do not receive funding from any federal, state or local government agency. Each year, The SPCA Wildlife Center admits over 2,500 animals for treatment and care.
SPCA Monterey County is your nonprofit, independent, donor-supported humane society that has been serving the animals and people of Monterey County since 1905. The SPCA is not a chapter of any other agency and does not have a parent organization. They shelter homeless, neglected and abused pets and livestock, and provide humane education and countless other services to the community. They are the local agency you call to investigate animal cruelty, rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife, and aid domestic animals in distress.
Online: www.SPCAmc.org
Facebook: /SPCAmc
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Twitter: @SPCAmc
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