NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Walden's Puddle animal rescue is the primary wildlife rehabilitation center in Middle Tennessee. They rescue, rehabilitate and release wild animals back where they belong. They take in a range of species, but they're seeing an alarming trend in one especially: foxes.
When it comes to foxes, Jerry Vandiver will tell you it's a passion that found him. "I started out as a volunteer doing laundry, feeding turtles and catching hawks and owls. And then the need for fox rescue has risen so sharply, that I just stepped in it at that point, a fox with a beautiful animal that I really knew nothing about."
His love for foxes runs so deep, he even wrote a song about them, it's called "Free at Last," and it was co-written with Caitlin Edmonson, who also performs the song.
It perfectly describes Vandiver's mission for these animals, which he says are in crisis in Davidson County.
"In 2019, we admitted five foxes with mange, in 2020, we admitted 47. And it's been about that level ever since last year and we were closing on 70," said Vandiver.
He said it's due to the usage of rodenticides or rat poison.
"What happens is when the rat or mouse eats the poison, it doesn't kill them immediately. But it slows them down and makes them for easy prey. The fox comes and catches the slow mouse and that poison goes into foxes body, its immune system breaks down and the mites that cause mange are on the fox and they take over," he said.
There's no natural cure for mange, but it is very treatable. That is, if you can catch them, which is where Vandiver comes in. "If they are seeing hair coming out or seeing see the eyes or squinting, those are typical symptoms of mange. First thing is call us, call us, call us, call us," he begged. "We can come out, we can help, we can set a trap, we can try to catch them and we can bring it in here and treat them."
It doesn't matter what time of day, when a fox is in need, he'll be there. "It's almost like a full-time job and they joke that I'm the only full-timer here that's not getting paid," Vandiver said, smiling.
What is it about the foxes that he loves? Their fluffy tails? Their eyes?
For Vandiver. it's simple: "They're families, unlike any other animal I've seen, mother and father raised together. They're happy, beautiful families."
Now he has dedicated his life to restoring and maintaining that family unit. "I wanna see them thrive. I care because they're beautiful," said Vandiver.
For him, it's all worth it in the end. "(It's) A joyful experience. If you come to a release where there's some time bring Kleenex. Yeah, it's very emotional," said Vandiver.
When the doors to the cage open, the fox runs out and they're free at last.
Walden's Puddle is currently raising money to build a fox enclosure because the need is so great. If you'd like to help, click here.