In the heart of Westmount, a quiet Montreal neighborhood, a small group of locals has come together for an extraordinary mission – to save a fox in distress. Over the past few weeks, residents have noticed several foxes suffering from mange, a painful skin disease that causes hair loss, infections, and weakness. But with no official wildlife rescue service in the city, compassionate citizens have stepped up to help.
Photographer and animal advocate Karolina Jez described how the community has taken matters into its own hands. “We get food for the fox and work with a rescuer to trap it. We’ve basically become a small, unofficial rescue group because there’s no one else doing this,” she said.
For residents like Diana Anderson, the mission began with a moment she couldn’t ignore. “We stopped at a sign and saw a sick fox trying to drink from a puddle,” she said. “I spent hours calling shelters, rescues, even City Hall – but no one could help. Eventually, someone online connected me with Jean-Yves.”
That contact was Jean-Yves Lemay, a local construction contractor who devotes his spare time to rescuing wildlife. Lemay explained that mange progresses quickly and painfully. “At first, the fox scratches because it’s itchy, but then it becomes weak, can’t eat or sleep, and develops infections. After a few months, it dies in agony,” he said.
Lemay has been trying to trap the young fox so it can receive treatment and recover. Once captured, the animal will need at least a month of care before it can safely return to the wild. Despite a long day of searching and setting traps, the fox remained elusive.
The group’s efforts highlight a broader issue – the lack of infrastructure for wildlife rescue in Quebec. “We really need a provincial program to help wild animals,” Jez added. “It’s shocking how difficult it is to get help for them.”
Still, residents say the community’s compassion gives them hope. Karen Levine Cohen, another Westmount local, said, “It makes me hopeful to see people care about the animals that share our neighbourhood. It shows how connected we all are.”
Their teamwork serves as a powerful reminder that even in urban areas, wildlife deserves attention and protection – and sometimes, it takes everyday citizens to make that happen.
