No. However, we do provide information foxes and practical guidance on deterring foxes. Foxes very rarely spread any diseases and live largely in harmony with man. They also help to control pests by preying on rats, mice and pigeons. Fox control is unsuccessful because foxes compensate for increases of mortality by increasing the number of vixens that breed. In the UK it is illegal to poison, gas, asphyxiate, maim, stab, impale, drown or club foxes.

Rabies is a virus that is in the saliva of an infected animal that works its way from the injury through the muscles to the nerves. Once it gets into the nerve, it travels to the spine and brain, finally causing death. It is a slow process, taking up to six months or longer.

Change of diet. Rabies acts like a stomach virus and causes cramping and pain. Rabid animal will avoid food and water because it hurts to put anything in their stomachs. Personality change. Most animals in pain will turn more aggressive; however, some will become more personable, like a child wanting its mother. Paralysis. Since rabies travels up the spine, it can cause problems around the hips of the animal. When this happens, the animal will stagger and fall. Foaming at the mouth.

No. Rabies vaccinations must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. We do offer a rabies vaccination clinic.

A group of foxes is a rare and lovely sight, beautiful to behold. But if you need something shorter for everyday conversation, a group of foxes is called a skulk.

If __________ is anything except 'fox' then the answer is No. Vulpines (foxes) look like dogs, wolves and coyotes, but they are distinctly different and share little or no common ancestry. Dogs, wolves and coyotes can (and do) interbreed. From a veterinary standpoint, foxes are more similar to housecats than to dogs. There are a number of dog breeds that look rather foxy.

We don't have exact specs on this, but tests indicate that foxes see about the same range of colors as dogs, meaning they have dichromatic color vision. Dogs lack the ability to see green, specifically, and apparently can't tell green from red or yellow. (This condition is found in humans, as well, and is the most common sort of "color blindness.

Definitely! It's not at the top of their Things To Do list, but foxes have no problems swimming a reasonable distance if the need is there. Yes and no. Red Fox fossils have been found in North America which date back thousands of years, long before Columbus (or the Vikings, either, if you're one of those people). However, these foxes tended to stay in the fields and forests of the Northwest and Midwest, and so were not common to the east coast where Europeans first settled.

Just about anything! Foxes are omnivores, and while they seem to prefer meat, they also go for nuts, berries, fruit of all sorts, vegetables, and even grains! Red Foxes who have decided to live near humans (for whatever reason) will eat pretty much anything a human will.

Not deliberately, at least. I suppose I can't help but be influenced by my own experiences and observations growing up, but I do try to create the FoxTrot storylines from scratch, rather than base them on what might have happened in my family. I am the oldest of four children (three boys, one girl) and it's true that there was a lot of FoxTrot-like chaos, but I think in general my characters are more extensions of me than my siblings or parents.

The main disease problem in foxes is Mange, this cannot be transmitted to humans or cats. In theory fox mange could be caught by dog, but in practice it doesn't. The UK has been completely rabies free for many years and there are well prepared contingency plans for deal with any possible outbreak.

Not if rubbish is kept in a secure lidded dustbin. With the lid closed, Brent's wheelie bins are completely fox-proof. Do not leave out additional waste in plastic bags. Keep this inside until the morning of you rubbish collection day.

No. Due to man's carelessness there is plenty of food available to foxes - even in the winter they do not go short of food. Leaving food out does however, help pests like rodents and these are far more of a problem for human beings.