Urban foxes are a source of both delight and conflict in many cities — evidence-based management supports welfare while addressing legitimate human concerns.
Urban foxes occupy a complex welfare position: they are wild animals living in close proximity to humans, experiencing both the benefits of urban food sources and the severe risks of roads, poison, and human persecution. Mange is a particularly significant welfare concern — untreated sarcoptic mange causes weeks of suffering before death, but treatment with homeopathic mange treatment placed in food can cure affected foxes effectively. Road mortality is the primary cause of death and a major welfare concern. Lethal control programs for urban fox management are both ineffective and cause welfare harm without achieving population reduction. Education, secure bin management to reduce conflict, and treatment programs for injured foxes represent the welfare-positive approach to urban fox management.