In the first weeks and months of an animal’s life, the care of their mother is essential for their survival. For an orphaned pair of fox kits, that indispensable source of care was lost, but you can help them survive.

Two orphaned 1 month old gray fox kits, from the same litter, were recently brought into the South Florida Wildlife Center, which treats at least 10,000 animals each year in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. According to the rescue, the kits’ mother was caught and removed by a commercial trapper. Once these helpless babies were found, though, they were quickly brought in.

Treatment for such young animals can be tricky. The center explains, “Baby foxes need specialized nutrition and care since as infants they need special baby formulas, protein and nutrition supplements for their growth. A stress-free habitat is also crucial to their success.”

To help give the kits the best chance at success, staff immediately got to work. This has meant feeding them species-appropriate food several times each day, providing mental and physical stimulation, keeping their enclosure in good condition, and monthly physical exams to ensure they’re growing and healthy.

The center says, “As infants, just a few weeks old, these kits were depending on their mother for food, shelter and protection. With their mom no longer around, our staff implemented feeding protocols to help with the care of the two remaining kits and ensure their survival and eventual release into the wild.”

Until they can be released, though, critical medical care and prescriptions, as well as their special food, are ongoing needs. If you’d like to help provide these essentials so the kits can return home where they belong, click below!