An animal shelter has issued a warning for good samaritans looking to bring in what they believe to be kittens...
Jennifer Armbruster, senior manager of public relations at the Arizona Humane Society, recounted an incident to Fox News Digital via email.
Last week, a compassionate individual stumbled upon a den nestled behind their shed, teeming with tiny, helpless creatures.
Without hesitation, the animals were scooped up and promptly delivered to the Arizona Humane Society under the assumption that they were abandoned kittens.
However, upon closer inspection, it became apparent that these were no ordinary household companions.
They were, in fact, baby foxes.
"The tiny babies were then transferred to Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, which identified them as gray foxes, where they will undergo rehabilitation and [be] released to the wild when they are old enough to be on their own," Armbruster explained.
As spring ushers in what is commonly known as "kitten season", well-meaning individuals often intervene when they encounter litters of kittens, believing they require human assistance. However, as Armbruster emphasized, this is usually unnecessary.
"Human intervention is typically not required … The best thing we can do is leave the kittens alone," she stressed.
The mother cat is likely to return to her offspring, providing them with the best chance of survival.
It's crucial that the kittens remain under her care, Armbruster noted.
Should a concerned individual come across kittens without their mother for an extended period, the Humane Society offers Care-In-Place kits for their temporary care until they are old enough for spaying or neutering.
In instances where wild animals are discovered without a parent in sight, it's advisable to contact a wildlife rehabilitation organization rather than attempting a rescue independently, Armbruster advised.
Gray foxes, like the ones in this story, are commonly found throughout the United States, typically reaching a weight of four to five pounds and standing at about a foot tall at the shoulder.
Female foxes typically birth litters ranging from three to seven kits.
