Fox cubs rescued from Brighton hotel enjoy new play pen

Two of these cubs receiving care were found at Brighton's Hilton Hotel in King's Road.

When the first fox cub was found by hotel staff after they heard scratching, volunteer rescuer Pauline Thomas, who works for the Brighton Wildlife Advice Rescue Service and attended the scene, said it was a miracle.

It is thought that the fox cubs, who were rescued on two separate days, were trapped in a wall in the hotel after falling from an air shaft in the roof.

Pauline told The Argus that the first cub rescued was "very feisty" and "lively".

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Another cub enjoying the rescue service's new play pen was one that was rescued in Burgess Hill after being abandoned by its family.

A spokesman for the rescue said: "Our eldest fox cubs had a pen upgrade earlier in the week.

"These three cubs include two that had fallen from the ceiling and were found inside separate pillars on separate days at the Hilton Hotel in Brighton and one who was abandoned when their family moved on and left them in Burgess Hill."

The new pen, which is currently just for the older cubs, is equipped with toys, branches and sheltered spaces for them to enjoy.

It also has sawdust bedding and a hut for the cubs to sleep in.

A spokesman for the centre said that the foxes will remain at the rescue until they are old enough to be released.

The rescue service relies on donations to help animals and give them the support they need.

More information can be found at https://wildlifeambulance.org/.

Everyone who works at the service, which was established in 1996, are volunteers.

The organisation does not charge for rescuing animals despite the average cost of one call-out being £96.

This includes veterinary bills, food, water, electric, bedding, caging, rescue equipment, vehicles and fuel, phone bills and other necessary expenses.

The rescue service said that between 3,000 and 4,000 calls are made to the centre each year.