07/16/2026
*Please Share*
This picture was sent to me by someone using one of our mange packets. The reason I wanted to share it, not just because it's exciting to see these 2 foxes getting treatment and much needed relief, it's because this is also a perfect example of how to set up a "feeding station".
We use the term "feeding station" loosely because as you can see there's nothing that stands out here. There's no little shelters, no toys, no piles of plates and bowls of food and water that someone would normally associate with an animal feeding station.
Here are a few key things to appreciate about this set up:
1. A trail camera was set up to monitor the situation. This lets the humans know what time of day the foxes are traveling thru the area the most. When most appropriate time is figured out, medicated food can be set out at that time in an effort to make sure the target animal is getting the meds, and not another animal passing by. This practice keeps from wasting food and meds, helps insure the right animal is getting it, and doesn't attract other wildlife because food is not left out 24/7.
2. There's a water source (the birdbath) that has been there, that the foxes were already drinking out of. Since they're already used to it, they're comfortable in this area, and will not have to be lured, but will run up on the medicated food in their normal daily activity.
3. This area is away from human activity, and like we mentioned in #2, part of the path they already travel. An area that's out of the hustle and bustle of humans going in and out of a house will generally have a higher success rate for treatment. Foxes are naturally wary of humans. Suffering from mange may make them more desperate for food and that's usually the only reason people are seeing them out. Putting their medicated food in a place they don't associate with humans is ideal.
And that rolls into #4. Foxes should not associate the feeding station with humans. At no point should anyone try to interact with the fox. A small amount of food, that will be eaten entirely in one sitting is put out on rocks or stepping stones, not on plates or bowls. So when the fox leaves, there is nothing left there to attract other animals.
So what happened here is, within 2 minutes of the food being put out, the foxes happened across it during their normal path and activity. After they eat and leave, there's not a trace left. They just got meds that will kill all the live mange mites on their body. A week from now, they will "happen across" the next dosage that will kill the new mites that have hatched. If all goes according to plan, that's hopefully all they need. ππ€ And they will never know anyone was helping them.
THAT is what makes this the perfect setup.
Now we understand that everyone can't have a situation as ideal as this. It doesn't mean you can't help. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so allowances have to be made sometimes. But, if you can set up like this, then do it like this!
*************************
Finally, the reason I would like you to share this post:
EVERY. SINGLE. TIME you guys share a post of mine about the mange packets we send out, I get a slew of new messages from people that have seen an animal with mange that either didn't know what it was, didn't know what to do about it, or both. So every time you share, we get the opportunity to help new animals by reaching new people. The mange packets we send out cost around $25 each. Packaging and shipping are honestly the biggest expense, but we send these packets out for free because we don't want the price to be a reason an animal didn't get treatment. We have always been lucky enough that the people that can donate always do, and cover the expenses. Thank you all for your compassion for wildlife and always helping to spread the word. β€οΈπ¦β€οΈ
(I don't know about you but I can't wait to see the "after" photos in a few weeks!)