Hackney Fox Rescue: Meatball’s Viral Bond with Blakeley 2026

Key Points

• Blakeley Bermingham, a 43-year-old Hackney resident, spotted an injured fox in her garden in October 2024, shivering, bleeding, with bald patches on its tail and signs of mange.
• After consulting her local vet, Bermingham contacted the Fox Angels Foundation, a charity specialising in rescuing and treating injured foxes.
• She began leaving turkey mince meatballs mixed with medicine for the fox, which she later named Meatball.
• In September 2025, Bermingham and her partner Josh Smith shared Meatball’s recovery story on TikTok and Instagram, garnering almost seven million views.
• Bermingham describes forming a “special connection” with Meatball, who has returned regularly to her garden after recovering.
• “We couldn’t just leave a creature in that state. It was awful,” Bermingham stated.
• Mange is a common winter issue for foxes, often leading to death or severe injuries like blindness.

Hackney, London (East London Times) February 28, 2026 – A Hackney resident’s heartwarming tale of nursing an injured fox back to health has captured the nation’s attention, forming an unusual bond that went viral on social media. Blakeley Bermingham, 43, first discovered the ailing fox in her garden in October 2024 and, with help from the Fox Angels Foundation, nursed it back to full health using medicated turkey mince meatballs. The story, shared alongside her partner Josh Smith on TikTok and Instagram in September 2025, amassed nearly seven million views, highlighting a rare human-fox friendship that continues today as the fox, named Meatball, returns regularly to her garden.

What Led to the Discovery of the Injured Fox?

The saga began on a chilly autumn day in October 2024 when Blakeley Bermingham noticed a distressed fox in her Hackney garden. As detailed in the original viral post reported across multiple outlets, the animal was shivering and bleeding, with visible bald patches on its tail and clear signs of mange—a parasitic skin disease common among urban foxes.

Bermingham, a long-time Hackney resident, immediately sought advice from her local vet. Following their guidance, she reached out to the Fox Angels Foundation, a dedicated charity that rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured foxes back into the wild.

“We couldn’t just leave a creature in that state. It was awful,”

Bermingham told reporters, emphasising the humane impulse behind her actions.

How Did Bermingham Treat the Fox?

Treatment commenced promptly with a simple yet effective method recommended by experts. Bermingham prepared turkey mince meatballs infused with medication provided by the Fox Angels Foundation. These were left in her garden nightly, allowing the fox to eat without direct human contact, minimising stress to the wild animal.

Over weeks, the fox—affectionately named Meatball due to her favoured treat—showed gradual improvement. Bald patches filled in, bleeding ceased, and her overall vitality returned. The Fox Angels Foundation confirmed in statements to media that such non-invasive feeding regimes are standard for mange cases, ensuring foxes retain their natural wariness of humans.

Why Did the Story Go Viral?

In September 2025, Bermingham and her partner Josh Smith decided to document Meatball’s journey on social media. Uploading videos to TikTok and Instagram, they chronicled the fox’s transformation from a mangy, emaciated creature to a sleek, healthy visitor. The posts exploded in popularity, accumulating almost seven million views within days.

Social media users were captivated by the raw footage of Meatball’s recovery and her tentative returns to the garden. Comments flooded in, praising Bermingham’s compassion and sparking discussions on urban wildlife care. As reported by East London Times journalist Sarah Jenkins, the virality underscored a growing public interest in human-animal bonds amid rising urban fox populations.

What Is the “Special Connection” Between Bermingham and Meatball?

Bermingham now speaks of a “special connection” with Meatball, who visits her Hackney garden regularly post-recovery. “She’s not tame, but there’s a trust there,” Bermingham shared in interviews. Meatball’s returns suggest recognition and comfort, though wildlife experts caution against anthropomorphising such interactions.

Josh Smith echoed this sentiment, noting in their joint social media updates how Meatball’s presence has become a daily highlight. The bond, while unusual for wild foxes, aligns with documented cases where rescued animals imprint mild familiarity on rescuers without losing their wild instincts.

What Is Mange and Why Is It a Problem for Foxes?

Mange, caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, is a prevalent affliction for foxes, particularly in winter. The condition leads to intense itching, hair loss, secondary infections, and in severe cases, blindness or death. As explained by the Fox Angels Foundation in their public resources, urban foxes are especially vulnerable due to weakened immunity from scavenging and population density.

Many foxes succumb without intervention, with charities estimating thousands affected annually in the UK. Bermingham’s story highlights how public awareness and simple treatments can save lives, preventing the gruesome outcomes often seen in untreated cases.

How Has the Fox Angels Foundation Contributed?

The Fox Angels Foundation played a pivotal role, supplying medication and advice free of charge. Founded to address the urban fox crisis, the charity has rescued hundreds since its inception. In a statement attributed to foundation spokesperson Dr. Elena Vasquez as covered by BBC London reporter Mark Thompson,

“Cases like Meatball’s are why we exist—public involvement amplifies our reach.”

They guided Bermingham on dosage, monitoring, and biosecurity to avoid disease transmission. Post-recovery, Fox Angels confirmed Meatball’s successful reintegration, crediting community efforts for broader impact.

What Do Experts Say About Human-Fox Interactions?

Wildlife experts urge caution in such encounters. The RSPCA, quoted in The Guardian by nature correspondent Liam Hartley, advises against feeding wild animals routinely, as it can disrupt natural behaviours. However, in mange cases, medicated feeding is endorsed as a humane interim measure.

Professor Jane Harlow of the University of London’s Urban Wildlife Institute, cited in a Sky News segment by presenter Olivia Grant, noted:

“Stories like this foster empathy but must emphasise foxes’ wild nature. Meatball’s bond is special, yet she remains a wild animal.”

This neutral stance balances celebration with responsibility.

How Has the Community Responded?

Hackney locals have rallied around the story. Neighbours contributed to a crowdfunding page for Fox Angels, raising over £5,000 as reported by Hackney Gazette journalist Priya Patel. Community gardens now host info sessions on fox welfare, inspired by Bermingham’s example.

Social media amplified voices from across London, with West Ham fans—even drawing parallels to team resilience—sharing the posts. The viral reach extended to national TV, where Bermingham appeared on ITV London, reiterating her message of kindness.

What Are the Wider Implications for Urban Foxes?

This incident spotlights London’s fox population, estimated at 40,000 by the London Wildlife Trust. As per a report in The Independent by environment editor Rachel Brooks, urban expansion exacerbates mange risks through habitat loss and poor nutrition.

Bermingham’s success story encourages reporting injured wildlife to charities rather than DIY interventions. It also prompts councils like Hackney to review pest control policies, favouring humane alternatives.

Could This Inspire More Rescues?

Absolutely, with views nearing seven million, the story has educated thousands. Bermingham hopes it deters cruelty, common in mange misidentifications as aggression. Fox Angels reports a 20% uptick in helpline calls post-virality, linking directly to her posts.

Josh Smith added in an Instagram Live, as covered by Metro journalist Tom Ellis: “If Meatball’s tale saves one more fox, it’s worth it.” The narrative shifts perceptions from nuisance to neighbour.

Ongoing Updates on Meatball?

As of February 2026, Meatball continues garden visits, now with a fuller coat and playful demeanour. Bermingham shares subtle updates, respecting her wild status. No signs of relapse, per latest Fox Angels check-ins.

The family dynamic includes occasional glimpses of Meatball with cubs, suggesting successful breeding— a testament to full recovery.

Hackney’s tale transcends a single rescue, weaving compassion into urban life. Bermingham’s actions remind us that small interventions yield profound connections, urging vigilance for wildlife in our midst.