Unusual Fox In Massachusetts Rescue Surprises Everyone With A Totally Unexpected Request
At first glance, Boots might seem like any other fox. His shiny copper fur, curious eyes, and proud swishing tail make him look perfectly ordinary.
But spend a few moments with him, and you quickly notice there’s something truly special about this little fellow.
Unlike most foxes, who spend their days digging, hunting, and exploring, Boots prefers belly rubs and human company.
He’s not interested in chasing prey; he’d rather hang out with his friends at Newhouse Wildlife Rescue in Massachusetts.
Simply put, Boots isn’t your typical wild fox: he’s a cuddly little furball with a big personality.
His story began on a rainy day when an animal control officer found a tiny, soaked, trembling fox kit on the ground. Just six weeks old, he was barely clinging to life.
The officer scooped him up and brought him to Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, where founder Jane Newhouse placed him in an incubator to warm him.
The rescue shared in an interview:
“He used to do a lot of crying and whining for his mom.”
Soon, Jane noticed that Boots wasn’t walking normally. Before long, a vet found an abscess on his head, which was drained.
After rest and treatment, Boots seemed to improve. The rescue said:
“We figured he was good. Maybe it was just the abscess causing an infection that made him feel off.”
For a while, Boots appeared to be doing well. He joined four other young foxes to learn normal fox behaviors, playing, exploring, and seeming to fit right in.
But gradually, Jane noticed something unusual: Boots wasn’t connecting with the other foxes anymore.
Instead, he would press against the fence, eagerly watching the humans. The rescue explained:
“He was constantly trying to interact with us. But when we move them to outdoor enclosures, we really minimize contact because we don’t want them getting used to people.”
Then one day, Jane noticed his jaw starting to sag. A CT scan revealed the heartbreaking truth: Boots had neurological damage.
Vets believed he was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that causes fluid buildup in the brain. It explained his clumsy walk, his obsession with people, and why his sense of smell never fully developed.
Boots wasn’t just friendly; his brain was wired differently. Unfortunately, this meant he couldn’t survive in the wild.
So, when the other fox kits were eventually released, Boots stayed behind. Jane shared:
“He’s in the enclosure by himself. He’s fully vaccinated. We know he can’t be released, so he’s just lonely.”
Determined to give him a happy life, the rescue team began spending extra time with him, showering him with love and play.
Newhouse Wildlife Rescue noted that out of the 80 foxes they’ve cared for, Boots was the first that couldn’t be released.
They reminded followers that wild foxes should never be pets, but for Boots, affection became part of his care.
Now, Boots greets every day with energy and joy. His tail wags like a dog’s when staff approach, he rolls over for belly rubs, chirps in delight, and follows his caretakers with sparkling eyes.
Jane says he has a wonderful quality of life, he just needs a safe, permanent home.
As cooler months approach and new rescues arrive, Jane is preparing to find Boots a new sanctuary where he can live peacefully. But she’s certain of one thing:
“I’m gonna miss him.”
For now, Boots continues to brighten every day with warmth, playfulness, and trust, a little fox who never fit the mold, but found a way to shine.
