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A story that captured social media attention tells of Blakeley Bermingham, a Hackney resident who developed a unique bond with an injured fox she found in her garden. The fox, later named Meatball, was discovered in October 2024 in a poor state, showing signs of mange and with evident wounds. Bermingham was deeply moved by the animal’s condition and took immediate steps to assist its recovery.
In response to the fox’s plight, Bermingham reached out to her local vet and then the Fox Angels Foundation, a charity dedicated to rescuing and treating injured foxes across the UK. Following their guidance, she began providing medicine-laced turkey mince meatballs to the fox, which led to its eventual naming as Meatball. “We couldn’t just leave a creature in that state. It was awful,” Bermingham said, reflecting on the initial discovery. Over time, and with the foundation’s help, Meatball showed signs of improvement and began visiting Bermingham’s garden regularly.
Throughout her recovery, Meatball faced further challenges. Although she became pregnant, the stress of her illness meant her cubs did not survive. However, over the following year, her health and spirit grew stronger; she became more at ease around humans, even venturing inside Bermingham’s house and engaging with her surroundings. Bermingham expressed gratitude toward the Fox Angels Foundation, praising their swift advice and support in caring for Meatball. She also highlighted the realities faced by urban foxes, stating, “We’ve ruined their environments… for better or worse, [foxes] are having to live with us, so it is our job to take care of them when we see them in trouble.”
The Fox Angels Foundation has been operating since 2019, relying entirely on donations and a dedicated team of 26 volunteers. They treat around 400 foxes on site monthly, while more severe cases are referred to veterinary clinics and rehabilitation centers. Despite the professional obligation under the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Code of Professional Conduct for vets to provide emergency aid to any injured animal, many foxes are refused treatment. The cost of care is substantial as well, with some treatments reaching thousands of pounds. Lynne Driscoll, chair of the foundation, emphasized the need for empathy towards foxes, saying, “I wish people would realise foxes are living beings with family structures and feelings.” She also noted the troubling use of poison and culling efforts in urban areas, underscoring that foxes are protected as wild animals rather than pests, meaning public authorities are not responsible for their removal from private or public spaces
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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