What Does the Fox Say? London Woman Risks Rabies and Loss of Limb to Befriend and Domesticate a Wild Street Critter

When your landlord won’t allow pets, sometimes the desperation for companionship steps beyond the walls of your home. Especially in the cramped, damp alleyways of London, it’s easy to feel as if a pet or animal companion would make life a little less droll.

That’s what Louisa Connolly-Burnham, an aspiring young actress in the city, thought when she took a fancy to a wild, orange fox that frequently visited her garden. Fondly called “Phil”, this orange, fluffy mess of a fox is a little bit more scraggly than the serene forest foxes that we are accustomed to seeing in fairytales and movies. In reality, foxes are actually a common city pest in the UK and, like humans, when they live in the city, they get a little more rough around the edges.

When your landlord won't let you get a dog

City foxes actually are a lot like raccoons or opossums; they rummage through trash bins, harass locals for scraps, and wreak havoc on natural wildlife as they have few predators in the city, apart from the occasional careening city bus, semitruck, or minivan. Just like other city mammals, foxes have become quite clever in their means of survival and despite their scabby appearance, they often live quite well.

Just like Phil.

Phil's first egg

This fox has found a niche of excellence in her little corner of London, all because Louisa has become attached to her presence, hand feeding her raw chicken, bringing out bowls of kitty food, and even making a little bed for Phil that she can enjoy at her leisure.

Louisa has domesticated Phil in a way, taking her in as a pet and a daily companion in the same way that people with bird feeders grow accustomed to local sparrows swooping into their garden for a cheeky feast. She posts nearly daily reports on Phil’s whereabouts and status– even when Phil was pregnant, Louisa documented her growth and health just as any proud pet parent would.

My pretty Phil

Just because Phil lives outside doesn’t mean that she’s any less loved than the family dog. Phil gets fresh food every day, the option to sleep indoors, and the freedom to roam the streets of London as she pleases.

As long as Phil is able to successfully avoid traffic, it looks like she will live a long and prosperous life under the careful watch of her cheerful guardian, Louisa. Now that’s a clever fox.