09/19/2025
Project Coyote is an organization near and dear to my heart. Hope you enjoyed National Fox Day. 🦊
🦊 Happy National Fox Day! 🦊
Today we’re celebrating one of North America’s most iconic and often misunderstood wild carnivores. Foxes play a vital role in healthy ecosystems by naturally controlling rodent populations, dispersing seeds through their omnivorous diets, and helping keep prey populations in check.
Many people love catching a glimpse of these clever canids in their neighborhoods! 🧡 Foxes are naturally wary of humans and will usually run away if they sense your presence. If you see a fox in your yard, they're likely just passing through, and no action is necessary. The best thing you can do is simply enjoy the sighting and leave them alone.
Foxes dig dens mainly to raise their kits, and it’s not unusual to find one under a deck, shed, or porch. If you discover a fox family nearby, consider letting them stay. Once the kits are old enough to explore with their parents, the family will soon move on.
Foxes rarely bother adult cats, 🐈 who are similar in size, and we all know cats have a great reputation for self-defense! Even so, cats should be supervised or kept indoors, which protects them from disease, cars, and other dangers. Most dogs 🐕 aren’t at risk unless they threaten fox kits, but pets should never be left outside unattended, and very small dogs should be supervised. Small pets like rabbits 🐇 and chickens 🐓 must be kept indoors or in secure, predator-proof enclosures, with poultry coops and runs built to keep out foxes, raccoons, and dogs. If you’re experiencing conflict with foxes, take a moment to assess what might be attracting them and address those attractants.
Foxes bring many benefits to our communities and ecosystems, and they can be wonderful neighbors! By appreciating them from a distance and taking simple, proactive steps to coexist when necessary, we can share our spaces with these important animals.
📷 Amy Henderson, Contributor | amyhendyphotography.com