A WILDLIFE rescue charity has issued a heartfelt plea to people who take in a care for injured, sick or orphaned foxes.

Every year wildlife rescue centres across the UK take in and care for thousands of such animals - however, it is common for members of the public to try and rear foxes themselves.

But without specialist care young foxes can become imprinted, recognising humans as their parents, and therefore become unable to be re-released into the wild.

Now the Wildlife Haven Rescue Centre, in Thirsk, is urging people to contact an experienced rescue centre if they find a sick, injured or orphaned fox, rather than trying to care for it themselves.

“We receive numerous calls every year from people who have hand-reared fox cubs and six months down the line don't want them any more” said founder Lauren Langley.

“Wild animals do not make good pets. Fox cubs may be very cute when they are young but can become unmanageable as they grow older.”

She added that rescue centres were often left with the decision to either have them put to sleep or condemn them to a life in captivity.

“We appreciate people are trying to do the right thing by caring for wildlife themselves, however, even the best intentions can cause more harm than good,” she said.

“We would urge people to call us, or another experienced rescue centre, for advice if they find a sick, injured or orphaned wild animal. At the end of the day it comes down to the welfare of the animal.”

For more information thewildlifehaven.org