They're arriving to Ellicott Wildlife Rehabilitation Center from the Denver metro area, the Pikes Peak region, and from as far away as Bennett! "They" are spring mammal babies-fox kits. Typically they are found as they emerge from their dens way too early, eyes still closed or just beginning to open. Their mother has not been to the den for quite some time, usually because she's been killed by a car while searching for food for her kits. Sometimes the babies are dragged from their dens by predators. A couple of kits that arrived to Ellicott Wildlife Rehab Center had been skunked. By the time a concerned citizen finds them and begins to call around for help, they have been in distress for quite some time and are in very poor condition, usually on the brink of death.

STAT critical care is absolutely necessary by an experienced wildlife rehabber, usually round-the-clock, to save these young lives and give them a second chance at life and release back to the wild.

These youngsters don't look like most people would expect a fox kit to look. They are very small, very dark-almost black-and appear to be very kitten-like. People who find them think they might be raccoon babies, skunk babies, or others. When people find these kits they are very cold, dehydrated, starved, and scared; very stressed. They may be loaded with fleas and worms, which exacerbates their already compromised situation.

Please know that if you find one of these babies there very likely are others nearby. The mother fox has a litter, not a single kit, and the father fox does not feed and raise the kits if something happens to the mother. Please check back frequently over the next day or two where you found the original kit or kits to ensure there aren't more who need help. Remember that is illegal for you to keep these babies and in their best interest they need to come to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Don't play with them. Don't show-and-tell them. Don't let the dog/cat/kids play with them. Don't try to feed them. Don't put anything into their mouths. Please contact an animal care professional-veterinarian or licensed wildlife rehabilitator-as soon as possible to give these babies the care they need.

Fox kits will be in rehab until mid-July. They are very expensive to feed and provide medical care for, including labs and veterinary care, and wildlife rehabbers are unpaid volunteers who rely on donations to help these native wild animals.
There are fewer wildlife rehabilitators than there was a year ago, increasing the load for those of us who remain. Times are tough for everyone right now but if you're able, please leave a donation of cash, appropriate food, paper towels, or linens with your animal. You can help by volunteering your time. And many corporations match your monetary donation and/or volunteer time with cash to a nonprofit organization, thereby doubling your contribution.

Please visit us at www.ellicottwildlife.com for more information.

EWRC

P.O. Box 75069

Colorado Springs, CO. 80970