Foxes were brought to Australia in the 1800s. They did not have a choice to live here, yet the majority of state and territory governments do not want to take responsibility for them. They encourage and even demand people shoot, trap and poison foxes, despite overwhelming evidence that these methods have failed to reduce fox numbers. Fox populations across the country are relatively stable. In most states and territories it is illegal to privately house foxes or even to transport an injured animal to an appropriate veterinary facility. Orphaned and injured young fox kits, once desexed, vaccinated and treated for parasites can be successfully habilitated in captivity with loving carers, as shown by many such approved carers around the country. These animals, kept in secure housing and subject to a permit system to ensure their welfare, pose no threat to the environment, other animals, people or agriculture. While not a solution to the issue of fox population numbers in Australia, allowing the selective keeping of foxes will certainly remove some animals from the wild, which we believe is a valid starting point for our argument. A feral kitten can be taken from the wild and kept without any restrictions beyond local council guidelines (usually only needing to be desexed & registered), yet there is no argument that feral cats have caused, and continue to cause, impacts on the environment, from killing native wildlife to spreading disease. So-called “wild dogs” also have huge impacts on the environment, including major livestock losses, yet a pup from such a dog, once desexed, vaccinated and registered with council, is an acceptable pet. Why are foxes held apart from all other domesticated mammals in this country? It is our belief all animals, including those our ancestors brought to this country, deserve the opportunity to live a life free from the threat of inhumane and lingering death. Foxes deserve the chance to live out their lives in a secure home with people who love them. These beautiful creatures didn't ask to come here. Sure, they don't belong here, and yet so many other species who also “don't belong” are allowed to thrive without the threats we inflict on this single species. We believe that people have found, and will continue to find, young fox kits and keep them. It is our contention that without proper knowledge, access to veterinary care and expert support these animals are at huge risk of mistreatment through ignorance alone. Without access to vet care the animals’ health risks are many. Without vaccination and parasite treatment the animals harbour transmissible diseases and parasites. Without desexing the animals pose a threat of breeding should they escape, and risk to their health if unable to breed. Without support their well-meaning owners may keep them in unsuitable conditions, feed them an inappropriate diet or simply release or kill them when they are unable or unwilling to meet the animals’ needs. All these facts speak to huge animal welfare concerns. We believe allowing the rescue of injured and/or orphaned young fox kits by dedicated and regulated rescue groups should be allowed (and in the case of NSW, allowed again). We believe that these animals should be placed with approved carers who obtain the necessary permits and have appropriate outdoor facilities to house them. Foxes are not always as cute and cuddly as some YouTube videos may suggest, although hand-raised foxes are indeed loving and affectionate towards their human carers, often wagging their tails and squealing with delight. Just because they aren't “pets” doesn't mean they aren't just as deserving of our care. Foxes in Australia are wild animals in an environment they don't belong, and they deserve the respect and humane treatment all animals should have. Please support our petition to all local, state, territory and Federal Governments to allow the appropriate rescuing of injured and/or orphaned young foxes, and the subsequent adoption of these animals to approved carers through a regulated system of permits.