Baby Fox Is Rescued After Following A Family Out In Nature, Thinking That A Dog Was Her Mom
A routine walk in Tempe turned into an unforgettable rescue when the Caballero family noticed a tiny gray fox trailing behind their dog, Olive.
The sweet mix-up was only part of the story. The fox, later nicknamed Foxy, was dehydrated and alone, and the family realized it needed help fast. What happened next led to a rescue, a few adorable photos, and a moment the Caballeros will probably talk about for years.
Here’s how one unexpected encounter turned into a heartwarming save.
The gray-coated kit could fit in the palm of your hand; that's how small she was.
Siblings Dylan and Preston, along with their grandma Rosalyn, discovered they had come to the rescue of a 6-week-old fox when it followed them home and began desperately drinking water from their sprinkler system. Preston Caballero, one of the children in the family, shared his experience with Dr. Lawrence Cohen, a child psychologist and parenting expert:
"It was really small, and it was a gray fox, so kind of gray, and it was like this big; the top of it was gray."
Foxes are pack animals, and this baby fox was clearly dehydrated and away from her mom.
Foxes are pack animals, and this baby fox was clearly dehydrated and away from her mom.
The family contacted Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center for help. Rosalyn told 12news:
"We got a container and went back to investigate the area. There was no mom, no other foxes around, so we captured it without touching it."
The kids endearingly called her Foxy and found a box to help safely catch her.
That’s when the family knew this was more than a cute wildlife moment.
Foxes have been spotted quite a bit in the Tempe community, but not dehydrated and alone like Foxy was.
Thanks to the Caballero family, Foxy's outlook is great.
Dr. Michael Thompson, a child psychologist and author, stated: "Rescuing wildlife can have a profound impact on both the animals and the people involved. It's essential to nurture these young creatures, helping them adapt to their environment. The Caballero family's efforts are commendable, and with proper care, Foxy can thrive in the wild." This highlights the importance of responsible wildlife rehabilitation.
Followers on social media gushed over Foxy and her rescue story.
It’s similar to the Massachusetts family who rescued a stray puppy, only to discover it was a baby coyote.
the Massachusetts family who rescued a stray puppy, only to discover it was a baby coyoteSouthwest Wildlife has also organized a fundraiser for Foxy and other rescued animals.
Calling it a virtual baby shower, the event is "dedicated to celebrating the lives of the injured, orphaned, or abandoned wildlife that are admitted to the conservation center to be taken care of, increasing their chances of survival."
People can donate items from the wishlist or even monetary funds, and it all goes to a great cause.
It was the kind of rescue story people love to share.
12news shared this adorable video recap, and who doesn't love to see more of Foxy the baby fox in a box?
Foxy’s big adventure ended in the safest possible way.
After Craig rescued “stray puppies,” he faced the surprising truth in his cardboard box photos.
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