In the United Kingdom, an association of volunteers is encouraging families to leave eggs in the garden to feed foxes, but the idea divides opinions: some see it as a “nature-friendly” gesture, while animal protection organizations ask for caution to avoid dependency, conflicts with neighbors and attracting pests.
According to the British portal Swindon Advertiser, the Fox Angels Foundation (United Kingdom) indicates, in its food guide, that raw or cooked eggs can be placed outside and also suggests turkey/chicken and fatty fish as options.
At the same time, the Scottish SPCA and RSPCA remind that there is no need to feed foxes in most cases and that if anyone does, they should avoid overeating, not try to “domesticate” the animal and never feed by hand.
And in Portugal: are there foxes here?
Yes. In Portugal, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is considered abundant and has a widespread distribution on the mainland, and can appear both in rural areas and close to urban areas.
In other words, the theme is not “foreign”: there are also sightings here in backyards, agricultural land and on the outskirts of cities, especially when there is accessible rubbish, food waste or poorly protected chicken coops.
The difference is the practical framework: in Portugal, there is no widespread official recommendation to “feed foxes”, and the safest approach tends to be to observe from a distance and reduce easy sources of food (trash, scraps outside), rather than habituating wild animals to human presence.
Why food can cause problems
The main risk is not “a fox eating an egg”, but the effect of routine: food available in the same place can change behavior, make the animal more confident around people and create conflicts in the neighborhood.
There is also a common side effect: food left in the garden can attract rats, cats, dogs and other species, and this turns a well-intentioned gesture into a public health and coexistence problem.
And there is the question of “what” happens: there are dangerous foods (for example, certain cooked bones, grapes/raisins) and, therefore, even when there is guidance on food, it is always accompanied by lists of precautions and prohibitions.
If you see foxes in your garden, what to do (without alarmism)
First, it’s worth de-dramatizing: rabies does not circulate in Portugal and the country is officially free, according to DGAV (although the risk of introduction exists, as in any country).
If you want to avoid visits, the most effective thing is usually the basics: well-closed containers, no leftover food outside, fallen fruit picked up and protected chicken coops, measures in line with recommendations from animal welfare entities on attractor management.
If, despite this, you decide to feed, do so with caution: small quantities, away from homes and without creating a “fixed schedule”, because the objective should be not to generate dependence or to accustom the animal to human proximity, as indicated by .
What if you find an injured or endangered fox?
In these cases, the recommendation is not to attempt to capture or handle it. In Portugal, you can contact SEPNA/GNR and the SOS Ambiente e Território line (808 200 520), available 24 hours a day, to resolve the situation.
LPN also brings together useful guidance and contacts when you encounter an injured wild animal, including local entities and brigades, which can help you act quickly and safely.
In the end, the “fad for eggs in the garden” may yield clicks, but, in Portugal, the most sensible adaptation is something else: protecting the ecosystem, avoiding feeding wildlife and knowing who to call when there is an animal at risk.
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