A rare, mysterious animal has appeared in a Welsh town, shocking locals. The black-coloured beast – a silver fox – was seen slinking through the streets of Barry, a town in the Vale of Glamorgan. Animal rescuers believe the fox was being kept as an exotic pet and escaped its owners.
The fox was first snapped walking through South Wales on Monday, April 17, according to a post on Facebook.
The animal has since travelled through Barry and neighbouring Sully, with concerned onlookers reporting the sighting to the authorities.
Locals called the RSPCA as they spotted the unusual animal, and the rescue service has said it hopes it is receiving appropriate care.
Speaking to Wales Online, a spokesman for the RSPCA said the organisation is aware of the sightings and “hope this fox is okay”.
But they added they could not pick up the fox unless it was “found injured due to a lack of resources”.
The service is required to prioritise calls for animal neglect and cruelty, with the Vale of Glamorgan Council taking charge of rescue efforts.
The council has asked anyone who spots the fox to contact its animal warden team, which is responsible for collecting stray animals.
If the fox is injured, the RSPCA has asked people to call its emergency line on 0300 1234 999, quoting the reference 01052661.
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The current location of the fox is unknown, but its sightings have prompted backlash against exotic animal owners.
The RSPCA said the silver foxes, like their red counterparts, require “specialist” attention.
The spokesman said they are “no different to those of foxes living in the wild, and they require specialist care”, adding that “even the most experienced fox experts” have trouble keeping them as pets.
The RSPCA said it “does not advise or condone keeping foxes as pets”, and advised anyone considering getting an exotic animal to “fully research the animal’s specific needs before making a decision”.
Silver foxes were once bred primarily for their coats but are now primarily owned as exotic pets.
Hayley De Ronde, the Managing Director of Black Foxes, said any “escaped exotic pets” would need to be relocated and returned home.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, she called for regulations on owning and breeding the animals.
She also urged witnesses not to approach the animals and report any potential sightings.
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