What to do if you find an injured or orphaned wild fox
About wild foxen
Foxes sometimes get mistaken for cats or dogs as they are similar in size and shape. The red fox is the most common type of wild fox found in North America and has a reddish coat with white underparts and black legs and ears. Gray foxes have black-tipped tails, which are usually about 30 inches long with grizzled gray coats and white underbellies. Other types of foxes found in this part of the world include arctic, kit and swift foxes. All species of fox are omnivores and have sharp teeth and claws they use for hunting food like small rodents, birds, insects, and fruit. They may also scavenge for food in cities and towns when pet food or garbage are left outside and accessible. Foxes mark their territory by leaving scent marks around their home ranges but are usually afraid of people and will run away when they see you.
Living with foxes
While seeing a fox in your backyard may be completely charming, it is not something you want to encourage. There is a big risk if they get used to humans as not everyone will be as pro-fox. Actively feeding them or accidently allowing them access to food sources like unsecured garbage cans or outside pet food is not a good idea. If, however, a family of foxes does move into your yard there are ways to cohabitate peacefully:
Keep your distance & announce yourself if you need to pass by (so they can run away).
Keep your pets away or on a leash, and make sure their vaccinations are up to date.
And never give into the temptation to feed the foxes.
You may be rewarded by a glimpse of fox kits coming out of their den when they are 3 or 4 weeks old and can observe (from far away) the parents teaching their offspring to hunt and survive on their own. They may even help you with that pesky rodent problem. Eventually they will move on to their next great adventure.
Foxes in trouble
However, if you see a fox behaving in an unusual way (which includes babies without an obvious parent nearby) resist the urge to go to the rescue.
Do not try to touch the fox as they may try to bite if they feel they are in danger.
Keep your own pets away.
Watch from a safe distance and assess if they are hurt or in distress.
Contact your local wildlife rescue or rehabilitation organization for advice and to make a report.
If help is going to take some time and you can safely do so, provide fresh water.
To avoid stressing out the fox further keep noise levels low and maintain your distance at all times.
Then settle down to wait for professional assistance to arrive.
More info on wild foxes
“Fox Natural History,” Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation
“What to do about foxes,” The Humane Society of the United States
“What to do when foxes move in,” National Wildlife Federation