A Hackney resident says she’s formed a “special connection” with a fox she nursed back to health — and the story has captured millions of hearts online.
In September 2025, Blakeley Bermingham and her partner Josh Smith shared the fox’s journey on TikTok and Instagram. The videos of the red fox, later named Meatball, quickly went viral, racking up nearly seven million views.
A Fox In Desperate Condition
Bermingham first noticed the fox in her garden in October 2024. The animal was shivering, bleeding and missing fur along her tail — classic signs of mange, a parasitic skin disease that can be fatal if left untreated.
“We couldn’t just leave a creature in that state,” Bermingham said. “It was awful.”
After consulting her local vet, she contacted Fox Angels Foundation, a charity dedicated to rescuing and treating injured foxes. Following their advice, Bermingham began leaving turkey mince meatballs mixed with prescribed medication in her garden.
That’s how the fox earned her name: Meatball.
Gradual Recovery — And A Growing Bond
With ongoing guidance and medicine from Fox Angels, Meatball slowly regained her strength. Her fur grew back. The shivering stopped. She returned regularly to Bermingham’s garden.
During her recovery, Meatball became pregnant. Sadly, due to her weakened condition, her cubs did not survive. Even so, she continued to grow stronger over the following months.
Eventually, she became bold enough to peer through the glass doors at the television, wander briefly into Bermingham’s home and play in the garden.
“Fox Angels were so quick to give advice and send medicine — I’m really grateful for them,” Bermingham said.
Urban Foxes In London
Experts estimate there are about 10,000 urban foxes living in London. However, survival isn’t easy — up to 80% of cubs die before reaching adulthood, often due to traffic accidents and habitat disruption.
“We’ve ruined their environments,” Bermingham said. “For better or worse, they’re having to live with us, so it is our job to take care of them when we see them in trouble.”
Foxes in the UK are classified as wild animals, not pests. As a result, local councils are not responsible for removing them from private or public property.
The Work Behind The Scenes
Since 2019, the Fox Angels Foundation has helped injured foxes across the country. The volunteer-led group treats roughly 400 foxes each month onsite and sends about 14 more to veterinary clinics for serious cases.
Treatment can be expensive — recent cases have cost thousands of pounds for injuries such as fractured legs or severe eye damage.
Chair Lynne Driscoll hopes stories like Meatball’s help shift public perception.
“I wish people would realise foxes are living beings with family structures and feelings,” she said.
A Connection That Changed Everything
Today, Meatball still visits Bermingham’s garden — healthy, alert and full of life.
While she remains a wild fox, not a pet, Bermingham says their shared journey created something meaningful.
In a city of millions, amid traffic and concrete, one small act of compassion gave a struggling animal a second chance — and reminded thousands online that coexistence is possible.