Vulgar Boatman, I've just read up on sarcoptic mange on the Fox welfare website and it says that a lot of people believe that the mite which causes it is the same one as the scabies mite. This is not true and sarcoptic mange is not in any way transmissable to humans.

No, rabies isn't an issue in Britain I'm glad to say.

My boss says that she checked, and the RSPCA's policy on foxes is to put them down or leave them alone. I must say I haven't generally found the RSPCA to be very helpful in the past. Like so many organizations they have become so bogged down with rules, regulations and beauracracy that they can't do much in a lot of situations.

From what I've seen, this guy isn't going to bite us unless we do something silly, though I'm not intending to make a habit of stroking him. The urge is there though, when I look round and see him following me about!

So...I wait for a reply from Derbyshire Foxes and take my boss the 'phone number I've found for the Fox Welfare people and see where we go from there. I'll also print off and take the page from DF website about what to feed them.

skipy, I'm surprised travellers are leaving their horses untended. Whatever their failings, they are usually pretty good about looking after their horses. Can't you gradually kidnap them all one by one? I'm sure there would be heaps of people who would give them homes.

Love Lynne