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A Family-Run Farm Adopted A Rescue Fox That Has Formed An Inseparable Bond With An 11-Year-Old Girl
Interview
Having a bond with a wild animal sure does sound like a fairytale, and even though sometimes it comes true, it is not an everyday story.
In Australia, under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998, it is an offense to keep, supply, or release foxes because they threaten biodiversity by hunting and killing native wildlife. Due to this act, foxes have only 2 options; either be left where they were found, unable to get veterinary attention, or get euthanized.
When the fox named Fergie was found as a baby with mom nowhere to be seen, she was mistaken for a puppy and was brought to a wildlife carer. This mistake saved Fergie’s life. As soon as she arrived at the sanctuary, Fergie bonded with an 11-year-old girl, Phoenix, forming an inseparable friendship.
More info: greenerpasturessanctuary.org.au | Instagram | Facebook
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Meet Phoenix, an 11-year-old girl, and Fergie, a rescue fox, who became best friends
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Bored Panda got in touch with Rachael, CEO of Greener Pastures Sanctuary in Perth, Australia, to learn more about their story. She wrote: “Phoenix is my 11-year-old daughter, she and Fergie have had an incredible bond since day 1! She gets so excited to see her each day and trusts Phoenix 100%, she’s the only one who she allows to carry her around.”
By Australian law, due to foxes being declared as pests, Fergie had only two options; either be left where she was or get euthanized
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Even though foxes are classified as wild animals, in an enclosed country like Australia, it is different. “Foxes in Australia are a declared pest animal and it’s actually illegal to move them, keep them without a permit or provide them with veterinary attention.”
“According to the law, Fergie should have been either left where she was or euthanized. Thankfully the person who found her didn’t even know she was a fox and took her to a wildlife carer who then contacted us,” shared Rachael.
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Luckily, by mistake, a person who found Fergie thought that she was a puppy and brought her to a wildlife carer, who then contacted Rachael
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Foxes in Australia would not be given a shot at a healthy and happy life, but some miracles do happen. “This was the first time we had the pleasure of meeting the gorgeous Fergie Fox. You would be forgiven for thinking she was a tiny puppy which is exactly what her rescuers thought when they found her all alone in the bush… lucky for Fergs!”
“Our laws prevent any movement of a fox, meaning she would be left to die. Many injured foxes also suffer the same fate, not even afforded the kindness of being taken to a vet to be humanely euthanized,” Rachael wrote.
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
To save Fergie, Racheal took in the fox to live in a family-run farm animal sanctuary that she founded
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
“We’re a farm animal sanctuary and never dreamed we’d find ourselves faced with foxes in need. We hate keeping animals in captivity but sadly it was the best of 2 options.”
“We try really hard to keep their living space interesting (she has a friend called Toby who was also found orphaned). We spend time with them and provide them with enrichment. We’d love to improve and expand their enclosure one day soon… We were unfortunately hit incredibly hard with huge vet bills last year so will need to get on top of those first,” Rachael wrote.
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Meanwhile, Fergie and Phoenix have formed an inseparable bond and spend a lot of their time together
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Even though Fergie lives in an enclosed space, Rachael tries her best to keep it interesting
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
But nothing is as interesting for Fergie as her friendship with Phoenix
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
Image credits: greenerpasturessanctuary
So, Pandas, let us know your thoughts on this story and a rather unique friendship.
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weatherwitch 1 year ago
Foxes are absolutely magnificent creatures and it's the humans who are the real pests. Fergie is incredibly beautiful 💖 I have had chickens myself and my family background was farming, it is up to people to ensure that their livestock is as safe as possible. Australia however is a whole new ball game though, such a difficult landscape which wasn't exactly helped by the introduction of rabbits which ate all the grass... All because some pillock wanted targets to shoot 🙄 Fergie is at least going to have a happy life with fun and she'll never go hungry and she'll never want for love or fuss. Beautiful girl with her own beautiful girl, what a wonderful story 💖
CHRISTY SMITH 1 year ago
AWWWWW, YAY - Great story and kudos to the mom (?) for running an animal sanctuary, that's such a selfless act of love towards helping animals that wouldn't get help otherwise. He definitely did look like a puppy when he was a baby, that had to be quite the surprise.
Kennedy Kargeaux 1 year ago
Children an animals... bonded. It's literally one of the easiest ways to make me happy cry. Lol. My dog growing up was my only friend especially thru my parents divorce. Children growing up with animals & having such a strong bond is such an important thing for their development. It teaches them to respect others, especially other species. It teaches them to care about something other than themselves. It teaches them compassion & patience. It teaches them how to have love for others. It helps them have someone to lean on & confide in. It helps them emotionally, especially when they're going thru hard times. Animals are a natural resource for emotional support & children need that sometimes. My husband was such an angry kid growing up. Had a real hard life. Never had pets until he met me. He never knew how to express his feelings without using anger (not towards ppl tho) then he bonded with my dog & he's a whole different, he's theirs, mature person now. Animals are the best.
weatherwitch 1 year ago
Foxes are absolutely magnificent creatures and it's the humans who are the real pests. Fergie is incredibly beautiful 💖 I have had chickens myself and my family background was farming, it is up to people to ensure that their livestock is as safe as possible. Australia however is a whole new ball game though, such a difficult landscape which wasn't exactly helped by the introduction of rabbits which ate all the grass... All because some pillock wanted targets to shoot 🙄 Fergie is at least going to have a happy life with fun and she'll never go hungry and she'll never want for love or fuss. Beautiful girl with her own beautiful girl, what a wonderful story 💖
CHRISTY SMITH 1 year ago
AWWWWW, YAY - Great story and kudos to the mom (?) for running an animal sanctuary, that's such a selfless act of love towards helping animals that wouldn't get help otherwise. He definitely did look like a puppy when he was a baby, that had to be quite the surprise.
Kennedy Kargeaux 1 year ago
Children an animals... bonded. It's literally one of the easiest ways to make me happy cry. Lol. My dog growing up was my only friend especially thru my parents divorce. Children growing up with animals & having such a strong bond is such an important thing for their development. It teaches them to respect others, especially other species. It teaches them to care about something other than themselves. It teaches them compassion & patience. It teaches them how to have love for others. It helps them have someone to lean on & confide in. It helps them emotionally, especially when they're going thru hard times. Animals are a natural resource for emotional support & children need that sometimes. My husband was such an angry kid growing up. Had a real hard life. Never had pets until he met me. He never knew how to express his feelings without using anger (not towards ppl tho) then he bonded with my dog & he's a whole different, he's theirs, mature person now. Animals are the best.
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