Modern Foxing

The fox industry has all but vanished as a money-making venture. In modern day Prince Edward Island there are only remnants of the once mighty fox industry. The days of abundant wealth and prominence have given way to hobby farms and fox shows that are maintained more out of tradition then for any profits. There are still a handful of ranchers that continue to raise the once coveted silver fox. The market for the furs is all but gone and the ranches that were passed down from generation to generation are memories of when the industry was a great producer of wealth and the silver fox was golden.

In addition to the smaller scale, the harvest and ranching practices within the industry have changed substantially from the first hollowed log that served as a den for the foxes on the Cherry Island Ranch in Alberton Harbour in western PEI. The advances that were made on each farm were shared, causing the industry to grow and improve very rapidly. At present, there are several things that are notably different then they were in the days of the pioneers. For instance, the pens that the animals call home have changed dramatically. They began as basically 12’ x 20’ boxes with wire tops, providing a great deal of room for the animals but very little protection from the elements. Modern pens are about 8’ x 6’ and have slanted roofs that provide shade and shelter for the animals. Ranches are no longer simply fenced areas in the woods. Modern farms look very similar to any livestock farm only with smaller buildings. The fenced areas are just far enough away from the farmhouse that activities on the farm don’t disturb the animals.