Urban foxes live at high densities in British cities, facing specific welfare challenges from road mortality, mange and human conflict.
Urban foxes face acute welfare threats from road collisions and mange. Sarcoptic mange causes intense pruritus, hair loss, skin thickening and ultimately starvation as affected animals become too debilitated to hunt. The suffering from severe untreated mange is profound and prolonged. Successful treatment with antiparasitic medication is straightforward when animals can be baited. Members of the public who can identify and report mange-affected foxes to local wildlife rescues enable interventions that prevent significant suffering.