A wildlife hospital in a southeastern Paris suburb operates under a strict no-cuddle policy, prioritising the rehabilitation of injured, sick and orphaned animals so they can return to the wild. The facility, run by the Faune Alfort group, has treated over 10,400 animals in the past year, including foxes, deer, hedgehogs and a wide variety of birds.
Last week, a two-week-old female fox cub was found alone in a garden on the city's outskirts, with no sign of her mother. Volunteers are now caring for her around the clock, feeding her artificial milk and monitoring her health. Veterinarian Julie Piazza noted a swollen abdomen from the diet change, which is common in young animals.
Animal caretaker Valentin Delon emphasised the importance of avoiding imprinting. “We don’t cuddle them, we don’t talk to them,” she said. “There’s really a distance to maintain for their own good.” Once healed, the cub will be transferred to a rehabilitation centre and gradually reintroduced to the wild.
The hospital, hosted by the National Veterinary School of Alfort, was founded in 1987 by veterinarian Jean-François Courreau. It relies on donations and volunteers, with admissions peaking between April and September. Up to 80% of animals admitted are victims of human activity, such as road collisions or injuries from gardening tools.
Elisa Mora, head of communications, said a record 200 admissions were reported in a single day last summer. Animals too badly injured to return to the wild are euthanised. “It’s hard to stand by helplessly in front of an animal in distress without being able to do anything,” Courreau said.
