UPTON - A family of foxes living at the corner of Old Grafton Road and Fowler Street recently became an unexpected source of joy for a local neighborhood. What started as a wildlife sighting turned into a gathering place where neighbors stopped to watch the foxes and talk with one another. Some people who had never met before started new friendships while standing by the roadside watching the foxes play. 

It began in December 2025, when homeowner Lauren Scheuer noticed a male fox, called a dog, hanging around her yard, marking the area around a den. Soon he was barking through the neighborhood, likely searching for a mate. Not long after that, a female fox, called a vixen, returned his calls and joined him at the den. 

By late March, the vixen appeared with seven baby foxes, known as kits, peeking out from the den for the first time. Since then, the fox family has drawn the attention of neighbors, families, and people passing by. 

From the kitchen window, Lauren and her husband, Dan, were able to watch it all. “I love how wildlife has put on a show for the whole community,” she said. “It’s bringing everyone together.” 

The mother fox has been incredibly attentive, rarely leaving the kits when they were young and keeping them close to the den and out of the road. The father was busy too, often spotted around the neighborhood carrying squirrels as he hunted day and night to feed his large family. 

To help protect both the foxes and drivers, Scheuer placed a “SLOW – Fox Family” sign near the street corner. She says neighbors and visitors were respectful by keeping their distance while enjoying the rare chance to see wildlife so close to home. 

The father fox has moved on and now the mother appears to be raising the kits on her own, leaving them for short periods while she searches for food. Another fox, nicknamed “Auntie Mange”, is seen regularly watching over the kits. Auntie Mange, possibly a relative, looks pretty scraggly but is clearly welcomed by the mother fox.  

Sadly, one day a kit was seen limping. Scheuer watched the mother bring the injured kit to her garden and tend to its injury, carefully licking its leg for extended periods. The situation sparked thoughtful discussions among neighbors about the balance between helping wildlife and allowing nature to take its course. 

Just a few days later, mother fox relocated six of her youngsters to a new den further down Old Grafton Road. The injured kit, unable to make the move, was temporarily left behind—but not abandoned. The mother returned nightly to feed and care for it, while Auntie Mange remained nearby – such an amazing display of motherhood, intelligence, and family connection! 

Concern for the injured kit prompted intervention from neighbors and local authorities. The following day, the kit was humanely trapped by the Upton Animal Control Officer and transported to Newhouse Wildlife Rescue in Chelmsford. There, it received fluids and an X-ray to assess its condition. The kit is healing quickly and will be joining other fox babies at Newhouse for their rehabilitation. Staff at the facility have expressed surprise at the outpouring of community concern and are hopeful the fox can be rehabilitated and released back into the same neighborhood later this year. 

Scheuer believes protected land nearby helps make moments like this possible. “When the whole town of Upton was able to save 97 acres of forest and watershed on Mechanic and Fowler Street from an enormous development, it allowed nature to thrive,” she said. “These corridors are incredibly important to wildlife. My husband and I live here in Upton because we enjoy being close to critters.” 

For many in town, this fox family has become more than just a wildlife story. It has given people a reason to slow down, enjoy nature, and connect with their neighbors. While the foxes are not as visible anymore, we encourage residents to follow the “Wild Upton” Facebook page to see photos of the foxes, beavers, and other wildlife around Upton and share their own pictures. We also encourage residents to consider donating to Newhouse Wildlife Rescue to support their mission of protecting and healing injured and orphaned wildlife. 

Editor’s note: According to @NewhouseWildlifeRescue on Facebook, the injured kit has been rehabilitated and reacquainted with its family.