Gemma Holdway was on her family’s farm when she found a group of abandoned baby foxes in the hay. She was worried about the two day-old babies when their mother did not return, so she decided to hand them over to an animal hospital.

Though the plan was to release the foxes back into the wild when they were old enough, something very different ended up happening.

The female cub ended up imprinting on Gemma and her boyfriend, and since the baby would not leave their side, they decided to adopt her.

Since she had imprinted on humans, the fox would no longer be safe in the wild because other creatures might smell humans on her and attack her.

“Foxes are shockers for imprinting,” Gemma said. “None of us realized at the time, as it happened so quickly, but once they open their eyes, that’s it. Whoever they see first is mum. Three have now been released back into the wild and one is also domesticated like Vixey.”

As an Animal Science and Management student, Gemma knows how to take care of a little fox. She is able to feed, bathe, and walk the fox, who she has named Vixey.

Gemma also owns four dogs, Labrador Luna and Jack Russells Raisin, Nidge and Polar Bear, and Vixey has quickly bonded with them all!

“She [Vixey] is definitely a dog at heart,” Gemma said.

Vixey is particularly close to Luna, who is her best friend. They’re so close that they are being referred to as a real life fox and the hound, just like the pair in the classic Disney movie!

“Luna, in particular, was very wary at first,” Gemma explained. “She didn’t quite know what Vixey was and was unsure when she’d try to play with her. Now they absolutely love each other. They’re the very best of friends. Vixey follows the dogs everywhere, copying what they do. Raisin rules the roost, so has almost taken on the role of Vixey’s mum.”

Every day, Vixey goes out exploring on Gemma’s property, which is “fox-proof” and inescapable.

“She always makes her way home before dark,” Gemma said. “She’s very intelligent and can remember where she lives. She’ll then come into sleep for the night. She either sleeps on my bed or under the sofa. She is also completely house-trained, and either goes to the toilet outside, or in a litter tray. We have learned the hard way not to leave any shoes lying around though, as, for some reason, she sees them as toilets, so wees in them.”

Though Gemma loves Vixey, she is quick to warn others against adopting foxes, explaining that she only did so for the baby fox’s own safety.

“It would have been great to release her, but it was simply too dangerous. She has a lovely life with us,” she said.

We’re glad that Vixey ended up in the hands of Gemma who seems to be well-versed in caring for this fox.