The Fox Project is a rehabilitation centre for foxes. They are mostly based in Paddock Wood, although they work across a large area of Kent. They also have another location in Pembury primarily for cubs. People can get involved in a variety of ways; volunteering to transport foxes, setting up fox shelters on their property or volunteering at the main fox rehabilitation centre/hospital.

I chose to volunteer in the intensive care unit in the main rehabilitation centre. My role included cleaning after the foxes, preparing their meals and generally observing their behaviour to see if they were fit to be released back into the wild. My commitment to the project was a regular 3-4 hour shifts biweekly.

I volunteered for a substantial amount of time and grew more accustomed to the routine as time passed. However, it did come with its surprises. My last session was quite unique as I faced one of the worst cases of toxoplasmosis I have witnessed so far. The diseased fox was one I was assigned to care for. It exhibited many strange behaviours. The fox would often stare into space, seemingly unaware of its surroundings. At other times, it seemed imminently human, resembling child-like behaviours of being particularly fond of constantly carrying a stuffed toy with it. It became increasingly interested in me, another sign of the disease as the fox loses all sense of instinct.