Is it legal to own a fox in South Australia?

There are a number of issues to consider when taking on a fox as a pet (legally or illegally)...

They have a scent gland just inside their anus that secretes a scented liquid, the same as dogs and cats, however, the gland secretion from foxes can be very pungent. They also have a particular scent secretion into their urine that is particularly strong and to be honest, it stinks. It is a sour rancid smell and not too different to how your nostrils and sinuses would burn sniffing ammonia.. The scent of a female fox's urine is very long lasting and near impossible to remove. Even a professionally tanned female fox skin can still have a hint of that urine smell in it if the foxes urine got onto the skin/fur when being killed or during skinning.

As a fox hunter in South East Queensland years ago, I used to hunt them for skins. The pelt buyers would not take them off my hands if they could smell female's urine on the pelts. They would not even take them for free.

As a pet, you would need to consider having a vet remove the scent glands. This may be illegal in some states, apart from very expensive. The scent gland in the anus is also a lubricant when they take a dump. Without that gland, an animal can develop constipation.

A major issue with that scent they produce, is that Australian bred dogs such as the kelpie, collie, blue heeler almost by instinct go after it. It is a situation for some fox owners as pets, to have their fox attacked by normally friendly dogs that would never or rarely consider doing so on another dog or cat.

The next problem is being that a fox urinates as a defensive mechanism, this results in the scent causing an attacking dog to go into an absolute frenzy.

Some asthmatics can have an asthma attack triggered by the fox scent.

A fox taken as a young cub with eyes barely open will grow to have similar characteristics as a cat. It will cuddle and love attention, as it never really knew it's mother and does not really know what it is to be a fox, and of course, never weaned from it's human 'mother' who forever would be responsible for it's food and drink.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v368/WhizzingWal...

An older fox cub is a constantly active animal. They tend to pace a lot and do not like being cooped up.

One taken as a younger cub, is not going to pace until it gets bored. Foxes need a LOT of exercise.

The big one to consider..... house training a fox is rarely successful, even at a young age, unless you are willing to spend a lot of time and frustration. They will use litter boxes, but it will take many 'accidents' before they get it right.When they gotta go, they gotta go. Hence, a carpet or rug with a fox indoors is an exercise in disaster. A non absorbent floor is required. Some foxes as pets have never taken to house training.

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/7606/babyann.j...

If you take it out in the open country for some exercise, expect to hear gunshots. They are actively sought out and killed by farmers and professional hunters.

They are prone to the same diseases and parasites as domestic dogs, however, they have extra vulnerability to them. This means they are more likely to get sick than would a domestic dog.

While they will attract fleas just like a cat or dog, they are also very prone to attracting lice.

A fox owner will never be successful in stopping a fox instinct which is to attack, kill and eat what would be considered prey animals. For example, guinea pigs, mice, birds, lizards etc... , and of course, the native animals.

So whether or not it is against the law, there is a lot of time, money and responsibility attached to having a fox as a pet.

As for keeping one as a pet legally in South Australia, no you can not. The fox is a declared animal under the South Australian Natural Resources Management Act 2004.

Foxes In Australia

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RE:

Is it legal to own a fox in South Australia?

I'm already guessing it's a big No, but I'm just asking to make sure.

I've loved foxes my whole life so far, so of course I'd give anything to have one as a pet.

But I know it would be more trouble then it's worth.

Plus it would be cruel to keep a wild animal cooped...

Foxes are wild animals, even if you raised it from a baby, it would still be a wild animal and would have wild instincts because it is not domesticated. And besides, foxes are pests, I know they are cute, but they are doing A LOT of damage to our native fauna, just like feral cats, dogs and rabbits, in my opinion the government should be doing more to remove these pests as our native fauna is much more important than introuced pests.

So no, it would not be legal.

:)

I knew someone who raised two baby fox's in south australia, someone told the council and they were ordered to destroy them :( so no they are not legal they are illegal because they are a feral animal.

They are considered "feral". No, they are not legal in South Australia. Too bad, though! Foxes are amazing.

Unlikely, foxes count as a pest species in this country, since they are an imported species that has overrun the country.

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No! You will need to qualify and buy an exotic pet liscence. They do cost alot, but if you want to keep your fox, then you have to.

No they are feral animals, with instincts to hunt animals like mice rabbits birds and native animals too. And they wreek