There are so many ways!! Everything you do makes a difference when it comes to helping a rehabber or helping the wildlife in your backyard. Read our How You Can Help handout on our Resources page and visit our Support FoxTales page and jump right in!

FoxTales does not receive federal, state or local funds. All costs are covered by Elizabeth and her husband Eduardo, both of whom work full-time jobs (and lots of extra shifts!). FoxTales does not have any paid employees or administrative costs. Literally 100% of your donation goes directly to supporting wildlife in care. All donations of funds, items and time make a difference!!

An infant comes into our care if s/he is orphaned, injured or sick. FoxTales does not take a healthy baby away from a healthy mother who is actively caring for her baby. A juvenile will come into care if it is too young to take care of itself - or is sick/injured. An adult will come into care if it is sick or injured.

You bet! There are several ways that you can volunteer your time. There are several mandatory requirements that the State of Virginia requires before you can volunteer to handle animals, including being vaccinated for rabies. However, there are other ways you can volunteer that do not require a rabies vaccine. Visit our Support FoxTales page and our Volunteer Opportunities handout to learn more.

We do not give tours to the general public. We may periodically give a tour to Scout groups, who also donate their time by working on necessary projects or are being educated in animal care. The animals in our care are orphaned, sick or injured and will eventually be released into the wild. Human contact is kept to an absolute minimum to minimize stress on the animal and ensure an appropriate fear/distrust of humans. Allowing wild animals to become accustomed to humans only endangers the lives of the animals after they are released.

FoxTales is permitted by the State of Virginia take in the following native Virginia mammals: Bobcat; Cottontail Rabbit; Fox; Groundhog; Mink; Opossum; Raccoon; Skunk; Eastern Grey Squirrel and Flying Squirrels.

FoxTales is able to temporarily take in an injured, sick or orphaned black bear cub, but we are required to transport the cub to the Wildlife Center of Virginia within 24 hours of the cub coming into our care.

Rescuing and rehabilitating various species requires, by law, being licensed by the Viriginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). A rehabber cannot risk losing their license by helping you with an animal who they are not licensed by the State to treat.

FoxTales is not able to treat: Amphibians (including frogs); Bats (we are not equipped to provide bats the specific care and living conditions they require); Birds, (including songbirds and birds of prey); and Reptiles, (including snakes and turtles).

Additionally, Virginia rehabbers are not permitted to treat adult coyotes.

Lastly, it is illegal in Fauquier County, where FoxTales is located, to treat deer.

Some examples of knowing right away that an animal needs help is if you know it fell from a nest after a bad storm and cannot be reunited with his parent(s); appears to have an injury or you can see blood; difficulty breathing; poor body condition (filthy coat or flea/tick infested); struck by a vehicle; or brought to you/attacked by your dog/cat.

FoxTales can only take in the listed native Virginia mammals. If the animal in need is not listed as an animal that we can care for, contact a rehabber that is licensed to care for that type of animal. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) maintains a list of currently licensed rehabbers in Virginia.

Beyond recognizing the joy it brings if you are lucky enough to have a fox den nearby and get to watch the kits grow up and play; ultimately, coexistence with wildlife is essential for all life, both humans and animals. We need the human – animal balance to ensure a healthy ecosystem. This means all animals – not just the ones we perceive as cute or nuisance-free. Coexistence with your backyard neighbors and avoiding persecution in and around your community, results in safeguarding your ecosystem. Learning animal facts and behaviors empowers humans to understand – and hopefully respect - the species around us. Foxes, raccoons, squirrels…all experience complex emotions just like humans and want the same things that we want out of life – food, water, shelter, a safe place to raise young and a life free of harassment.

Is that really too much to ask for?