Contact your Local Media about a Fox Cull

Getting the story in your local paper or on the radio is a good way to publicise your campaign and to get more opposition to the cull.

Here is an example of a press release to be sent to your local newspaper. If you choose to use our example, you will need to amend it to include the relevant information. Please get in touch if you would like us to send you the contact details of your local paper or radio station.

Local Residents Condemn [Name of Council/Local group/School etc] plans to Cull Foxes as Cruel and a Waste of Resources 

It has emerged that [Name of Council/ club or school] has plans to cull foxes in the local area. Residents were horrified that the council has made such a cruel and short-sighted decision and [Number] people have signed a petition opposing the plan. 

Residents are concerned about the suffering associated with culling. Shooting can leave foxes wounded and unable to hunt, which can lead to a slow and painful death. If the fox has cubs, her babies can starve to death. 

Most councils now understand that killing wildlife is cruel, ineffective and a waste of money, so fox culls by councils are now extremely rare. Culls simply do not work as foxes are territorial, so if one is killed another will take their place, leading to an endless cycle of culling and expense for councils. This also represents a waste of council tax revenue [if carried out by a council].  

There are many humane ways to deter foxes from an area, such as reducing available food, removing waste, blocking fence holes and obstructing pathways. The council has been sent resources outlining humane deterrents and has also been provided with the details for companies specialising in humane wildlife deterrence.  

[Add your own quote here for example]

[Your Name] from [Town] says ‘Most people, including myself, enjoy seeing foxes and other wildlife in our local area and the decision to cull foxes is shocking and is likely to be extremely unpopular. I ask the council to show compassion and tolerance towards wildlife, by halting all plans for the cull and instead choosing non-lethal humane methods to deter foxes if necessary.

Tips 

  • If you have created a petition, you could put in the link and if you are planning an action or demonstration, you could also mention the details.  
  • Remember to include your name and phone number.  

Letter to the Editor 

Another option is to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper (or even a national one). This can be useful if there is already an article about the cull in the paper, either opposing it or championing it. Your letter can refer to this earlier article or letter and either agree with it or challenge it. Letters to the editor are usually shorter than a press release.

We have lots of tips on writing a letter to the editor in our “Get Active for Animals Guide”

Below is an example of a letter to the editor. Please use this example as a guide and remember you will need to amend it to include the relevant information.

Dear Letters Editor, 

I was shocked to see that [Name of council/school etc] is planning to cull foxes at [location]. Since 1995 the red fox population has almost halved in the UK and, in a world where wildlife is rapidly declining, we should be showing tolerance and compassion to the other species that we share our planet with. 

Methods to cull foxes are cruel and can inflict terrible suffering. Shooting can leave foxes wounded and unable to hunt, which can lead to a slow and painful death.  

As well as being cruel, killing foxes does not work. Foxes are territorial, so if one is killed another will take their place, leading to an endless cycle of culling and a waste of valuable council resources. 

I hope the council will reconsider its decision to cull the foxes and instead opt for non-lethal humane methods, such as blocking fence holes and obstructing pathways. Thank you.  

[Your name] 

[Local Resident]