Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Thesis Supervisor: Harvey Ginsburg, Ph.D. | Department of Psychology
Second Reader: Bob Fischer, Ph.D. | Department of Philosophy
Approved: Heather C. Galloway Ph.D. | Dean, Honors College

Abstract

Since 1959, the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Novisibirsk, Russia has attempted to domesticate the red fox, Vulpes vulpes, in order to better understand the domestication of the dog, Canis familiaris, from the gray wolf, Canis lupus. Interest in owning these newly-domesticated animals as pets has increased, adding to the controversy of exotic pet ownership. Pet foxes in the United States have come across negative community attitudes and have been relocated, confiscated, and even exterminated as a result.

This study investigated existing participant attitudes toward pets and pet ownership and analyzed how the manipulation of canine physical attributes by domestication can affect participant perceptions. Anonymous surveys were administered to 97 undergraduate students enrolled in psychology classes at Texas State University. Each participant’s attitudes toward dogs and pet-dog ownership were measured alongside their attitudes toward domesticated foxes and pet-domesticated-fox ownership. Additional questions were created to assess participants’ legal and ethical attitudes, knowledge of fox domestication, and opinions and experiences in regard to pet ownership. Images were created to isolate physical attributes in canines in order to assess their impact on human perception of undomesticated and domesticated features.

The results of this study showed a preference for pet dogs over pet foxes and provided evidence that a majority of people have participated in the practice of owning pet dogs. A connection was found between attitudes toward pet dogs and foxes. Attitudes toward dog and fox breeding and laws regarding pet-dog ownership and pet-fox ownership showed a preference for the legal possession of dogs as pets over foxes, but a moderate agreement to both dog and fox breeding. A low percentage of participants were found to have knowledge of the Farm-Fox Experiment and a moderately-high percentage showed interest in owning a domesticated fox as a pet. This study’s illustrations found that participants instantly reacted to physical attributes manipulated by domestication, but often preferred the standard wild red-colored fox. Different physical traits were also found to have different perceptions of participants.

This study has shown that while our communities are not yet ready to accept these animals into the home, there is potential. Not only do these animals have the genetic potential to become more domesticated and suited for life with humans, participants were shown to have moderately high favorability scores toward pet domesticated foxes.

Dedication

This study is dedicated to the memory of the companion foxes that have lost their lives due to the fear, misunderstanding, negligence, and restrictions of humans and the owners whom loved and cared for them. To Anya, Vader, Valo, and Miko, and their owners Kay, Tara and Eric, Chloe, and Anda, may this honor the bonds you shared and the lives you created together.

Anya the Red-Colored Domesticated Red Fox

Vader the Silver-Colored Ranched Red Fox

Valo the Silver-Colored Ranched Red Fox

Miko the Champagne-Colored Ranched Red Fox

Fair Use & Author Permission Statement

Fair Use

This work is protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States (Public Law 94-553, section 107). Consistent with fair use as defined in the Copyright Laws, brief questions from this material are allowed with prior acknowledgement. Use of this material for financial gain without the author’s express written permission is not allowed.

Duplication Permission

As the copyright holder of this work I, Noelle Marie Brooks, authorize duplication of this work, in whole or in part, for educational or scholarly purposes only.

Acknowledgements

Dr. Harvey Ginsburg

This project would not exist without your guidance. I thank you for agreeing to mentor me as my Thesis Supervisor and for allowing me your time and thoughts. Because of your recommendations, this piece developed into a study that added to the information and understanding of fox domestication and pet ownership and included my own illustrated artworks, allowing me to incorporate my artistic abilities with my fascination for fox domestication. Due to your inspired ideas and tireless edits, this project has developed into a well-researched, valid addition to the existing literature on the domestication of the red fox that I feel proud to have written. I would like to extend special thanks for your assistance with creating the survey, analyzing the data, and writing about the results. This project would not have come to fruition without your creativity, dedication, knowledge, and expertise. Thank you, greatly; it was a pleasure working with you.

Dr. Bob Fischer

I thank you greatly for accepting my request for your guidance as my Second Reader and for remaining honest in expressing your doubts and concerns. As the project began to shift further from your areas of expertise, you continued to offer help and support, regardless. I apologize for the inconveniences and difficulties, but truly thank you for your dedication and assistance. Your offerings helped support my writings and your suggestions refocused my thoughts. Your mentoring shaped the project to what it has become.

Dr. Meeks and Dr. Ogletree

Thank you both for allowing me to utilize your classes and students for this study. Your students contributed valuable information to this project and helped improve our understanding of attitudes about domesticating wild foxes and selling them as pets.

Anonymous Honors College Student

Thank you for volunteering your time to administer the survey portion of this study when I was unable to. Thanks to your kindness, the survey was administered successfully.

Dr. Heather Galloway

This project started with your encouragement over five years ago. Thank you for convincing me to pursue this endeavor and for helping me materialize it. Your initial proofreading and suggestions helped me refocus my writing and guide it in a stronger direction and your praises helped drive me to continue and finish the work. I am honored to have worked with you and to have participated in this project.

Dr. Donald Olson

Your famous lesson to always find the primary source pushed my determination and drive to find the truth while researching. With this thought in mind, I suspected everything and searched until I found the original source. Within a sea of information, your advice helped me find the most valuable references.

Jean and Keith Brooks

Thank you for years of supporting my unusual fascination with foxes and encouraging me to pursue this project. I appreciated your understanding throughout this work and your interest in my research.

Nicholas Smith

Thank you for your unwavering love and support throughout the entirety of this project. Your reassurance helped motivate me to endure as I worked continuously and tirelessly to complete this work. I appreciate your care and assistance as you provided for me when I simply didn’t have the time and resources to provide for myself. This project may not have been possible without your constant inspiration, understanding, dedication, and selflessness. Thank you for your sacrifices and deep sympathies.

I. Introduction

The History of Fox Domestication at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences Experimental Fox Farm

Pet Fox Cases

Foxes as Pets

II. Researcher’s Intentions

Hypotheses

III. Methodology

Participants

Demographics

Materials

Procedures

Statistical Analyses

IV. Results

Pet Dogs Compared to Pet Domesticated Foxes

Ethical and Legal Attitudes

Perceptions of Wild to Domesticated Fox Images

Knowledge of the Farm-Fox Experiment

Test of Hypotheses

V. Discussion

Pet Dogs Compared to Pet Domesticated Foxes

Ethical and Legal Attitudes

Perceptions of Wild to Domesticated Fox Images

VI. Conclusions

References

ABC News. (2013 March 18.) Wild foxes as house pets? [Video file]. ABC Nightline. Retrieved from: http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/wild-foxes-house-pets-18760822

ABC 7 News. (2010 November 1). Costumed fox Swiper reunited with owner. Retrieved from: http://tbd.ly/9VfImk

Abumrad, J. (Producer). (2009 October 19). New Nice [Audio podcast]. Radiolab. Retrieved from: http://www.radiolab.org/story/91696-new-nice/

Ahola, L. and Mononen, J. (2002 January 15). Family break-up in farmed silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) housed in enlarged cage systems as families. Acta Ethologica, 4, 125-127. doi: 10.1007/s10211-001-0057-7.

Allan, Carrie. (2010 May 20). Is the quest for the “perfect” dog driving a genetic health crisis? All Animals Magazine, May-June 2010, 16-23. Retrieved from: http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/publications/2010/mayjune2010/purebred_paradox_pdf.pdf

American Kennel Club [AKC]. (2015a). AKC Departments. Retrieved from: http://www.akc.org/about/departments

American Kennel Club [AKC]. (2015b). History of the American Kennel Club. Retrieved from: http://www.akc.org/about/history

American Kennel Club [AKC]. (2014) Annual Report 2014. Retrieved from: http://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/americankennelclub/AR2014.pdf

American Kennel Club [AKC]. (2011 April). Welcome to the American Kennel Club. Retrieved from: http://www.akc.org/pdfs/public_education/GAINF3.pdf

American Pet Products Association. (2014). National pet owners survey.

Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission Code Ann. §09.14.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [ASPCA]. (2015). Position statements on exotic animals as pets. ASPCA. Retrieved from: https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/position-statements-on-exotic-animals-as-pets

Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary. (2013 February 6). Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary on Nationwide Syndicated Animal Rescue [Video file]. Retrieved on March 5, 2014.

Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary. (2011 December 1). Meet our newest arrivals – Russian Red Foxes Mikhail and Nikolai [Facebook update]. Facebook. Received from: https://www.facebook.com/austinzooandanimalsanctuary/photos/a.436401075357.225198.166575420357/10150491733300358/?type=1&theater

Bakken, M. (1998 March). The effect of an improved man-animal relationship on sex ratio in litters and on growth and behavior in cubs among farmed silver fox (Vulpes vulpes). Applied Animal Behavior Science, 56(2-4), 309-317. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(97)00088-9.

Bardeleben, C., Moore, R. L. and Wayne, R. K. (2005 February 1). Isolation and molecular evolution of the selenocysteine tRNA (Cf TRSP) and RNase P RNA (Cf RPPHI) Genes in the dog family, Canidae. Molecular Biology and Evolution 22:2, 347-359. Retrieved from: http://mbe.oxfordjournals.org/content/22/2/347.full.pdf

Belyaev, D. K. (1979). Destabilizing selection as a factor in domestication. The Journal of Heredity, 70, 301-308. Retrieved from: http://www.oxfordjournals.org/our_journals/jhered/freepdf/70-301.pdf

Belyaev, D. K., and Trut, L. N. (2009). Some genetic and endocrine effects of selection for domestication in silver foxes. In M. W. Fox (Ed.), The Wild Canids (pp. 416-426). Wenatchee, WA: Dogwise Publishing. (Original work published 1975)

Belyaev, D. K., Plyusnina, I. Z., and Trut, L. N. (1985 March). Domestication in the silver fox (Vulpus fulvus Desm): Changes in physiological boundaries of the sensitive period of primary socialization. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 13(4), 359-370. doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(85)90015-2.

Belyaev, D. K., Ruvinsky, A. O., and Trut, L. N. (1981). Inherited activation-inactivation of the star gene in foxes. The Journal of Heredity, 72, 267-274. Received from: http://www.evolocus.com/Publications/Belyaev1981.pdf

Bok, H. (2011). Keeping pets. In T. L. Beauchamp and R. G. Frey (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Animal Ethics (pp. 769-796). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Braastad, B. O. (1987 June). Abnormal behavior in farmed silver fox vixens (Vulpes vulpes L.): Tail-biting and infanticide. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 17(3-4), 376-377. doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(87)90171-7.

Brooks, N.M. (2014 June). Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary Russian Red Foxes Informational Sign [Photograph].

Canada Fox Breeders’ Association. (2014). Canada Fox Breeders’ Association Annual Statistics 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.clrc.ca/associations/foxes/statistics/foxes2014.pdf

Canada Fox Breeders’ Association (1996). Application for registration of one or more pups from the same litter. Retrieved from: http://www.clrc.ca/96regappback.pdf

Child, D. (Producer, Director). (2011 November 12). Dogs decoded: Understanding the human-dog relationship. [Motion picture]. United States: British Broadcasting Corporation.

Cleek, A. (2014 March 20). Is this Siberian fox wild, domesticated, or something in between? PRI’s The World. Retrieved from: http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-03-19/siberian-fox-wild-domesticated-or-something-between

Cohen, J. A. and Fox, M. W. (1976 July). Vocalizations in wild canids and possible effects of domestication. Behavioural Processes, 1(1), 77-92. doi: 10.1016/0376-6357(76)90008-5

Cole L. J. and Shackelford R. M. (1943 August). White spotting in the fox. The American Naturalist 77(771), 289-321. Received from: http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.txstate.edu/stable/2457391

Crowe, A. (2014 September 17). Fox owner confronts council after pet is euthanized. Fairborn Daily Herald. Retrieved from: http://www.fairborndailyherald.com/news/home_top/50673293/Fox-owner-confronts-council-after-pet-is-euthanized

Darwin, C. (1876). The Origin of Species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life (6^th ed.). London: Murray. Retrieved from: http://darwin-online.org.uk/converted/pdf/1876_Origin_F401.pdf

Darwin, C. (1875). The variation of animals and plants under domestication (2^nd ed.). London: John Murray. Retrieved from: http://darwin-online.org.uk/converted/pdf/1875_Variation_F880.2.pdf

Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2011 November 4). Compendium of animal rabies prevention and control, 2011. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Recommendations and Reports, 60.6. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6006.pdf

Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2008 May 7). Human rabies prevention – United States, 2008: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on immunization practices. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Early Release, 57. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr57e507.pdf

Faith, C. (Producer, Director). (2007). Dogs that changed the world. [Motion picture]. United States: Educational Broadcasting Corporation.

Falls Church News-Press. (2010 November 2). Fox released back to owner. Retrieved from: http://fcnp.com/2010/11/02/fox-released/

Farmington, Michigan – Code of Ordinances (2012 March 19). §35-252.

Farmington, Michigan – Code of Ordinances (2013 May 10). §35-252.

Fairborn, Ohio Codified Ordinance §505.17.

Fedewa K. (2014 September 26.) Dear friends, I have waited a little while to post publically about this, because it’s a very hard thing to have had to come to terms with, and very hard to speak and write about. [Facebook update]. Facebook. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/AnyaTheDomesticFox/posts/739972392740651:0

Fedewa K. (2013 January 7). Adopted foxes. The Domestic Fox. Retrieved from: http://kayfedewa.wix.com/domesticfox2#!adopted-foxes

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 May 30). Re: Anya comes home. Anya comes home [Online forum comment]. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9557

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 May 15). Anya comes home [Online forum comment]. Anya comes home. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9557

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 March 5). Re: Anya bathtime photos! [Online forum comment]. Anya bathtime photos!. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9223&p=83660&hilit=+mitch#p83660

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 March 1). Re: The Anya Gallery (Image Heavy) [Online forum comment]. The Anya Gallery (Image Heavy). Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9043&start=30

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 February 27a). Re: The Anya Gallery (Image Heavy) [Online forum comment]. The Anya Gallery (Image Heavy). Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9043&start=30

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 February 27b). Re: The Anya Gallery (Image Heavy) [Online forum comment]. The Anya Gallery (Image Heavy). Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9043&start=15#p83065

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 February 10). Re: Red foxes [Online forum comment]. Red foxes. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8860&p=81801&hilit=+florida#p81801

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 February 9). Re: SIBFOX SCAM and domestic fox discussion [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=390

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012, February 6). Re: Sigh…neighbors. [Online forum comment]. Sigh…neighbors. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8870&start=45

Fedewa K. (2012 February 2a). Adopted foxes. The Domestic Fox. Retrieved from: http://kayfedewa.wix.com/domesticfox2#!adopted-foxes

Fedewa K. (2012 February 2b). Welcome. The Domestic Fox. Retrieved from: http://kayfedewa.wix.com/domesticfox2#!

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 January 22). Re: Sigh…neighbors. [Online forum comment]. Sigh…neighbors. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8870&start=30

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 January 13). Re: Sigh…neighbors. [Online forum comment]. Sigh…neighbors. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8870&start=15

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 January 11). Re: Sigh…neighbors. [Online forum comment]. Sigh…neighbors. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8870

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012 January 9). Sigh…neighbors. [Online forum comment]. Sigh…neighbors. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8870

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2012, January 8). Re: SIBFOX SCAM and domestic fox discussion [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=375

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2011 December 7). Re: SIBFOX SCAM and domestic fox discussion [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=360

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2011 December 6a). Re: SIBFOX SCAM and domestic fox discussion [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=360

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2011 December 6b). Re: SIBFOX SCAM and domestic fox discussion [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=345

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2011 December 6c). Re: SIBFOX SCAM and domestic fox discussion [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=330

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2011 November 22). Re: SIBFOX SCAM and domestic fox discussion [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=300

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2011 October 30a). Re: Sibfox [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=165

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2011 October 30b). Re: Sibfox [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=150

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2011 October 5). Re: Sibfox [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=105

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2011 September 20). Re: Sibfox [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=105

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2011 June 7). Re: Sibfox [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=60

Fedewa K. [zebrafox]. (2011 June 4). Re: Sibfox [Online forum comment]. SIBFOX SCAM and domestication fox discussion. Retrieved from: http://www.raskbb.com/sybilsden/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=7647&start=45

Gogoleva, S. S., Volodin, I. A., Volodina, E. V., Kharlamova, A. V., and Trut, L. N. (2011). Explosive vocal activity for attracting human attention is related to domestication in silver fox. Behavioral Processes, 86, 216-221. doi: 10.1016/j.beproc.2010.12.001.

Gogoleva, S. S.; Volodina, E. V.; Volodin, I. A.; Kharlamova, A. V.; and Trut, L. N. (2010a May 11). The gradual vocal responses to human-provoked discomfort in farmed silver foxes. Acta Ethologica, 13.2, 75-85. doi:10.1007/s10211-010-0076-3.

Gogoleva, S. S., Volodin, I. A., Volodina, E. V., Kharlamova, A. V., and Trut, L. N. (2010b August 19). Sign and strength of emotional arousal: vocal correlates or positive and negative attitudes to humans in silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Behavior, 147, 1713-1736. doi: 10.1163/000579510X528242.

Gogoleva, S. S., Volodin, I. A., Volodina, E. V., Trut, L. N. (2008). To bark or not to bark: Vocalization in red foxes selected for tameness or aggressiveness toward humans. Bioacoustics, 18, 99-132. doi: 10.1080/09524622.2008.9753595.

Gulevich, R. G., Oskina, I. N., Shikhevich, S. G., Fedorova, E. V. and Trut, L. N. (2004). Effect of selection for behavior on pituitary-adrenal axis and proopiomelanocortin gene expression in silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Physiology & Behavior, 82, 513-518. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.04.062.

Harrison, J. (Producer, Director, Writer). (2008 August 19). Pedigree Dogs Exposed. [Motion picture]. United Kingdom: British Broadcasting Corporation One.

Hare, B., Call, J., and Tomasello, M. (2006 October). Chimpanzees deceive a human competitor by hiding. Cognition, 101(3). 495-514. doi: 10.1016/j.cognition.2005.01.011.

Hare, B. and Tomasello, M. (2005 September). Human-like social skills in dogs? TRENDS in Cognitive Sciences, 9(9), 439-444. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2005.07.003.

Hare, B., Plyusnina, I., Ignacio, N., Schepina, O., Stepika, A., Wrangham, R., and Trut, L. N. (2005 February 8). Social cognitive evolution in captive foxes is a correlated by-product of experimental domestication. Current Biology, 15, 226-230. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2005.01.040.

Hare, B., Brown, M., Williamson, C., and Tomasello, M. (2002 November 22). The domestication of social cognition in dogs. Science, 298(5598) 1634-1636. doi: 10.1126/science.1072702.

Hearne, Vicki. (1994). Animal Happiness. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

Hemmer, H. (1988). Ethological aspects of deer farming. In H. W. Reid (Ed.), The Management and Health of Farmed Deer (pp. 129-138). The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Hendricks, J. C., Kline, L. R., Kovalski, R. J., O’Brien, J. A., Morrison, A. R., and Pack, A. I. (1987 October 1). The English bulldog: A natural model of sleep-disordered breathing. Journal of Applied Physiology, 63(4), 1344-1350.

Hiatt, T. [Tara Hiatt tara.volk]. (2015 April). May the Fox Be With You. Retrieved from: http://maythefoxbewithyou.tumblr.com/

Hiatt, T. (2014 February 21). To the Minot PD, and to all of you: here’s a picture of Vader’s rabies vaccination record [Facebook comment]. Facebook. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/KMOTtv/posts/10151857235212396

Hiatt, T. (2013 September 13). You said when you took him on walks in the city there were too many angry women [Blog post]. May the Fox Be With You. Retrieved from: http://maythefoxbewithyou.tumblr.com/post/61122688508/you-said-when-you-took-him-on-walks-in-the-city

Hiatt, T. (2013 August 29). Since it’s Thursday today, I figured I’d do another throwback [Blog post]. May the Fox Be With You. Retrieved from: http://maythefoxbewithyou.tumblr.com/post/59691848529/since-its-thursday-today-i-figured-id-do

Hiatt, T. (2013 July 18). Petition Progress! [Blog post]. May the Fox Be With You. Retrieved from: http://maythefoxbewithyou.tumblr.com/post/55803166962/petition-progress

Hiatt, T. (2013 July 8a). Alright, Tumblr friends, we really need your support and kindness today [Blog post]. May the Fox Be With You. Retrieved from: http://maythefoxbewithyou.tumblr.com/post/54947850836/alright-tumblr-friends-we-really-need-your

Hiatt, T. (2013 July 8b). Well, we sent in to the USDA for an exhibitor’s license application, and it should be here in about 7 days [Blog post]. May the Fox Be With You. Retrieved from: http://maythefoxbewithyou.tumblr.com/post/54953425537/well-we-sent-in-to-the-usda-for-an-exhibitors

Hiatt, T. (2013 June 13). Ignorance [Blog post]. May the Fox Be With You. Retrieved from: http://maythefoxbewithyou.tumblr.com/post/52896099447/ignorance

Huang, S., Slomianka, L., Farmer, A.J., Kharlamova, A.V., Gulevich, R.G., Herbeck, Y.E., Trut, L.N., Wolfer, D.P., and Amrein, I. (2015, January 15). Selection for tameness, a key behavioral trait of domestication, increases adult hippocampal neurogenesis in foxes. Hippocampus, 00, 1-13. doi: 10.1002/hipo.22420.

Humane Society of the United States, The [HSUS]. (2013). Pets by the numbers. The Humane Society of the United States. Retrieved from: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html

Institute of Cytology and Genetics [ICG]. (2015). Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics of Animals. Institute of Cytology and Genetics. Retrieved from: http://www.bionet.nsc.ru/booklet/Engl/EnglLabaratories/LabEvolutionaryGeneticsAnimalsEngl.html

Institute of Cytology and Genetics [ICG]. (2010). Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics of Animals. Institute of Cytology and Genetics. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20100716182900/http://www.bionet.nsc.ru/booklet/Engl/EnglLabaratories/LabEvolutionaryGeneticsAnimalsEngl.html

Jacobs, Isiah. (2012 April 23). Interview: Kay Fedewa on Domsticfox.com [Interview]. Flayrah: Furry Food for Thought. Retrieved from: https://www.flayrah.com/3998/interview-kay-fedewa-domesticfoxcom

Joe [aidan-wulver]. (2011 April 5.) Swiper at Home [Online post]. DeviantART. Retrieved from: http://aidan-wulver.deviantart.com/art/Swiper-at-home-203765053

Joe [aidan-wulver]. (2011 March 9). Swiper [Online post]. DeviantART. Retrieved from: http://aidan-wulver.deviantart.com/art/Swiper-200381118

Johnson, J. L., Kozysa, A., Kharlamova, A. V., Gulevich, R. G., Perelman, P. L., Fong, H. W. F., Vladimoirova, A. V., Oskina, I. N., Trut, L. N., and Kukekova, A. V. (2015, February 6). Platinum coat color in red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is caused by a mutation in an autosomal copy of KIT. Animal Genetics, 46, 190-199. doi: 10.1111/age.12270.

Jürgens, U. (2009 January). The neural control of vocalization in mammals: a review. Journal of Voice, 23(1), 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2007.07.005.

Keeler, C. Genetics of behavior variations in color phases of the red fox. In M. W. Fox (Ed.), The Wild Canids (pp. 399-415). Wenatchee, WA: Dogwise Publishing. (Original work published 1975)

Kesner, K. B., Solstad, T., Brun, V. H, Hafting, T., Leutgeb, S., Witter, M. P., Moser, E. I., and Moser, M. (2008 July 4). Finite scale of spatial representation in the hippocampus. Science, 321(5885), 140-143. doi: 10.1126/science.1157086.

Kjelstrup, K. G., Tuvnes, F. A., Steffenach, H., Murison, R., Moser, E. I, and Moser, M. (2002 August). Reduced fear expression after lesions of the ventral hippocampus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States of America, 99(16), 10825-10830. doi: 10.1073/pnas.152112399.

Kukekova, A. V., Temnykh, S. V., Johnson, J. L., Trut, L. N., and Acland, G. M. (2012). Genetics of behavior in the silver fox. Mammalian Genome. 23, 164-177. doi: 10.1007/s00335-011-9373-z.

Kukekova, A. V., Trut, L. N., Chase, K., Kharlamova, A. V., Johnson, J. L., Temnykh, S. V., Oskina, I. N., Gulevich, R. G., Vladimirova, A. V., Klebanov, S., Shepeleva, D. V., Shikhevich, S. G., Acland, G. M., and Lark, K. G. (2011). Mapping loci for fox domestication: Deconstruction/reconstruction of a behavioral phenotype. Behavior Genetics, 41, 593-606. doi: 10.1007/s10519-010-9418-1.

Kukekova, A. V., Oskina, I. N., Kharlamova, A. V., Chase, K., Temnykh, S. V., Johnson, J. L., Pivovarova, I. V., Shepeleva, D. V., Vladimirova, A., Semenova, T. I., Gulievich, R. G., Schikhevich, S. G., Graphodatsky, A. S., Aguirre, G. D., Erb, H. N., Lark, K. G., Acland, G. M., and Trut, L. N. (2008a). Fox farm experiment: Hunting for behavioral genes. The Herald of Vavilor Society for Genetics and Breeding Scientists, 12(1/2), 50-62. Retrieved from: http://www.bionet.nsc.ru/vogis/pict_pdf/2008/t12_1_2/vogis_12_1_2_07.pdf

Kukekova, A. V., Trut, L. N., Chase, K., Shepeleva, D. V., Vladimirova, A. V., Kharlamova, A. V., Oskina, I. N., Stepika, A., Klebanov, S., Erb, H. N., and Acland, G. M. (2008b). Measurement of segregating behaviors in experimental silver fox pedigrees. Behavior Genetics, 38, 185-194. doi: 10.1007/s10519-007-9180-1.

Kukekova, A. V., Trut, L. N., Oskina, I. N., Kharlamova, A. V., Shikhevich, S. G., Kirkness, E. F., Aguirre, G. D., and Acland, G. M. (2004). A marker set for construction of a genetic map of the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes). Journal of Heredity, 95(3), 185-194. doi: 10.1093/jhered/esh033.

KX News Minot. (2014 February 25). Police on pet fox issue. Retrieved from: http://www.kxnet.com/story/24822647/police-on-pet-fox-issue

Lacey Act, The, United States Code Annotated. §16 USC 3371-3378.

Lauren Clark. (2014 September 15). Fox owner speaks [Video file]. WHIO News Center 7. Retrieved from: http://www.whio.com/news/news/crime-law/fox-owner-wants-answers-why-her-pet-was-euthanized/nhLJn/?nmredir=true

Mason, E. [foxalbiazul]. (2015). foxalbiazul about. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/user/foxalbiazul/about

Mason, E. [foxalbiazul]. (2008 June 30). Pet red fox ‘Ron’ investigates this thing called a toilet… [Video file]. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXk-Ez9Qy3M

Meredith, C. (2014 February 24). Vader the fox: Devastated family launch appeal after beloved pet is euthanized following ‘false bit claim’. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/02/24/vader-fox-_n_4847127.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

Michigan Captive Wild Animal Order §20.3, §20.5-§20.6.

Michigan Compiled Laws §324.40103, §324.40106, §324.42710, §324.43101.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources [DNR]. (2014 March 12). Form IC1350-1: Permits to hold wildlife in captivity. Retrieved from: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/IC_1350-1_Permits_to_Hold_Wildlife_in_Captivity_234730_7.pdf

Minot, North Dakota – Code of Ordinances Code §7-5.

Minot Police Department. (2014 February 21). Press release February 21, 2014 [Press release]. Retrieved from: ftp://84-245-42-108.dsl.cambrium.nl/Public/Backup/Mark/Telefoon/Books/Silver%20Fox.pdf

Moe, R. O., Bakken, M., Kittilsen, S., Kingsley-Smith, H., and Spruijt, B. M. (2006 December 15). A note on reward-related behavior and emotional expressions in farmed silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes): Basis for a novel tool to study animal welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 101(3-4), 362-368. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2006.02.004.

Moe, R. O., and Bakken, M. (1997). Effects of handling and physical restraint on rectal temperature, cortisol, glucose and leucocyte counts in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes). Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 38(1), 29-39. Received from: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/14089683_Effects_of_handling_and_physical_restraint_on_rectal_temperature_cortisol_glucose_and_leucocyte_counts_in_the_silver_fox_%28Vulpes_vulpes%29

Moore, B. (2014 September 15a). Pet fox euthanized without checking owner’s permit. WDTN Channel 2 News. Retrieved from: http://wdtn.com/2014/09/15/pet-fox-euthanized-without-checking-owners-permit/

Moore, B. (2014 September 15b). Pet fox euthanized without checking owner’s permit [Video file]. WDTN Channel 2 News. Retrieved from: http://wdtn.com/2014/09/15/pet-fox-euthanized-without-checking-owners-permit/

Morey, D. F. (1994). The early evolution of the domestic dog. American Scientist, 82, 336-347. Retrieved from: http://courses.washington.edu/anmind/Morey%20on%20dog%20evolution%20-%20Amer%20Sci-1994.pdf

Mulder, J. L. (2004 September). Longevity records in the red fox. Lutra, 47(1), 51-52. Retrieved from: http://www.mulder-natuurlijk.nl/oudesite/pdfs/Longevity%20records.pdf

Nevada Administrative Code §503.110.

North Dakota Administrative Code §48-02-01-10.

North Dakota Department of Health. (2014 December). Epidemiology report. Retrieved from: https://www.ndhealth.gov/disease/Newsletters/EpiArchives/CurrentEdition.pdf

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife [ODNR]. (May 13 2013). Nuisance wild animal control certification manual. Retrieved from: http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/wildlife/pdfs/species%20and%20habitats/Nuisance%20Wild%20Animal%20Control%20Certification%20Manual.pdf

Ohio Revised Code §1531.40, §1533.71.

Oskina, I. N. (1995). Ontogenesis of endocrine function in silver foxes under domestication. Applied Animal Behaivour Science, 44(2-4), 273-274. doi: 10.1016/0168-1591(95)92362-W.

Oskina, I. N. and Tinnikov, A. A. (1992 April 4). Interaction between cortisol and cortisol-binding protein in silver foxes (Vulpes fulvus). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 101(4), 665-668. doi: 10.1016/0300-9629(92)90341-M.

PETA. (2015). Doing what’s best for our companion animals. PETA. Retrieved from: http://www.peta.org/issues/companion-animal-issues/companion-animals-factsheets/whats-best-companion-animals/

P.J. (2014). State laws: Michigan (revised). The Artful Fox. Retrieved from: http://theartfulfox.tumblr.com/post/91287902497/state-laws-michigan-revised

Price. E. O. (2002). Animal domestication and behavior. New York, NY: CABI Publishing. Retrieved from: http://www.uesc.br/cursos/pos_graduacao/mestrado/animal/bibliografia2012/selene_artigo1_animal.pdf

Price, E. O. (1984 March). Behavioral aspects of animal domestication. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 59(1) 1-32. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2827868

Popova, N. K. (2006 May). From genes to aggressive behavior: The role of serotonergic system. Bioessays, 28(5), 495-503. doi: 10.1002/bies.20412.

Rekilä, T., Harri, M. and Ahola, L. (1997 October). Validation of the feeding test as an index of fear in farmed blue (Alopex lagopus) and silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Physiology and Behavior, 62(4), 805-810. doi: 10.1016/S0031-9384(97)00241-2.

RT. (2009 January 21). Fox in a box: The new pet craze. Retrieved from: http://on.rt.com/pj5lao

Rusbridge, C. (2007 February 15). Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel [Dissertation]. Retrieved from: http://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/20717

Sandøe, P; Christiansen, S. B.; and Kristensen, A. T. (2008 June). Companion animals. In P. Sandøe, and S.B. Christiansen (Eds.), Ethics of Animal Use (pp. 119-136). Chichester: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Schramm, J. (2014 February 23). Police response to illegal fox generates social media interest. Minot Daily News. Retrieved from: http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/592517/Police-response-to-illegal-fox-generates-social-media-interest.html?nav=5010

Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare. (2001 December 13). The welfare of animals kept for fur production. Retrieved from: http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/international/out67_en.pdf

Scott, J. P., (1958 February). Critical periods in the development of social behavior in puppies. Psychosomatic Medicine, 20(1) 42-54. Retrieved from: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.483.9321&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Shackelford, R. M. (1948 February 27). The nature of coat color differences in minks and foxes. Genetics, 33(3), 311-336. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1209412/pdf/311.pdf

Siberian Times, The. (2012 November 27). How I trained my fox called Anna to be like a household pet dog. The Siberian Times. Retrieved from: http://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/features/how-i-trained-my-fox-called-anna-to-be-like-a-household-pet-dog/

SibFox Inc. (2011 November). Home. SibFox. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20111101015930/http://www.sibfox.com/

SibFox Inc. (2011a). Home. SibFox. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20110427224323/http://www.sibfox.com/

SibFox Inc. (2011b). How to purchase a fox? SibFox [Image]. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20110921121445/http://www.sibfox.com/sibfox.jpg

SibFox Inc. (2011c). Our foxes. SibFox. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20110609031448/http://www.sibfox.com/foxes

SibFox Inc. (2009 December a). About us. SibFox. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20091212164232/http://sibfox.com/about

SibFox Inc. (2009 December b). Home. SibFox. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20091212164232/http://sibfox.com/

SibFox Inc. (2009 December c). Our foxes. SibFox. Retrieved from: https://web.archive.org/web/20091212164232/http://www.sibfox.com/foxes

Sitterson, A. (2015). About the owners [Blog post]. My Pet Fox. Retrieved from: http://mypetfox.com/aboutus

Sitterson, A. (2012a). Regarding Vader [Blog post]. My Pet Fox. Retrieved from: http://mypetfox.com/post/77492103638/regarding-vader

Sitterson, A. (2012b). The reunion, guys! [Blog post]. My Pet Fox. Retrieved from: http://mypetfox.com/post/22241258528/the-reunion-guys

Sitterson, A. (2011a). A final word on fox ownership [Blog post]. My Pet Fox. Retrieved from: http://mypetfox.com/post/5307400847/a-final-word-on-fox-ownership

Sitterson, A. (2011b). A somber note from the desk of Lupe V.S. [Blog post]. My Pet Fox. Retrieved from: http://mypetfox.com/post/3689326770/a-somber-note-from-the-desk-of-lupe-v-s

Sitterson, A. (2010 November). Well, this isn’t how I expected to come back from hiatus [Blog post.] My Pet Fox. Retrieved from: http://mypetfox.com/post/1457951892/well-this-isnt-how-i-expected-to-come-back-from

Sitterson, A. (2010). Day 1 [Blog post]. My Pet Fox. Retrieved from: http://mypetfox.com/post/1457951892/well-this-isnt-how-i-expected-to-come-back-from

Spady, T. C. and Ostrander E. A. (2007). Canid genomics: Mapping genes for behavior in the silver fox. Genome Research, 17, 259-263. doi: 10.1101/gr.6055807.

Statewide Fur-bearing Animal and Trapping Proclamation, Tex. Admin. Code §65.376.

Statham, M. J., Trut, L. N., Sacks, B. N., Kharlamova, A. V., Oskina, I. N., Gulevich, R. G.; Johnson, J. L., Temnykh, S. V., Acland, G. M., and Kukekova, A. V. (2011 May). On the origin of a domesticated species: Identifying the parent population of Russian silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 103(1), 168-175. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2011.01629.x.

Templer, D. I.; Salter, C. A.; Dickey, S.; Baldwin, R.; Veleber, D. M. (1981). The construction of a Pet Attitude Scale. Psychological Record, 31, 343-348.

Texas Administrative Code §65.376, §65.378

Texas Parks & Wildlife Code §71.004, §71.005.

Texas Parks & Wildlife. (2009 September). Guidelines for propagating live fur-bearing animals. Retrieved from: https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_lf_w7000_0479_packet.pdf

Texas State University Office of Institutional Research. (2015 March 8). Facts & Data. Texas State University Office of University Marketing. Retrieved from: http://www.umarketing.txstate.edu/resources/facts.html

Tiny Courage. (2013 July 31). Austin Zoo — Mik & Nik — Russian Red Foxes [Video file]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx7oQLhLp5k

Tiny Tracks Exotic Animals LLC. (2015a April 30). Fox for Sale. Retrieved from: http://www.tinytracksexoticanimals.com/fox.html

Tiny Tracks Exotic Animals LLC. (2015b). Kennels and Supplies. Retrieved from: http://www.tinytracksexoticanimals.com/Supplies.html

Trut, L. N. (2007 March 1). An evolutionary experiment. SCIENCE First Hand, 14(2), 56-59.

Trut, L. N. (2001). Experimental studies of early canid domestication. In E. A. Ostrander and A. Ruvinsky (Eds.), The Genetics of the Dog (pp. 15-42). New York, NY: CABI Publishing.

Trut, L. N. (1999 April). Early canid domestication: The farm-fox experiment. American Scientist, 87, 160-169. doi: 10.1511/1999.2.160.

Trut, L. N. (1988). The variable rates of evolutionary transformations and their parallelism in terms of destabilizing selection. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 105(1-6), 81-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.1988.tb00277.x.

Trut, L. N., Oskina, I. N., and Kharlamova, A. V. (2009). Animal evolution during domestication: The domesticated fox as a model. BioEssays, 31, 349-360. doi: 10.1002/bies.200800070.

Trut, L. N, Kharlamova, A. V., Kukekova, A. V., Acland, G. M, Carrier, D. R., Chase, K., and Lark, K. G. (2006). Morphology and behavior: Are they coupled at the genome level? In E. A. Ostrander, U. Giger, and K. Lindblad-Toh (Eds.), The Dog and Its Genome (pp. 81-93). Woodbury, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

Trut, L. N., Plyusnina, I.Z., and Oskina, I. N. (2004). An experiment on fox domestication and debatable issues of evolution of the dog. Russian Journal of Genetics, 40(6), 644-655. Retrieved from: http://webs.wofford.edu/moellerjf/Animal%20Behavior%202011/Russian_J_of_Gen_Review_Article_on_Domes_Fox.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture [USDA]. (2015). Animal care information system search tool. Retrieved from: https://acissearch.aphis.usda.gov/LPASearch/faces/CustomerSearch.jspx

United States Fish and Wildlife Service [USFW]. (2008 March 4). Part 443 Wildlife Inspection Chapter 1 Wildlife Inspection Policy and Procedures. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement. Retrieved from: http://www.fws.gov/policy/443fw1.pdf

Virginia Administrative Code §4VAC15-20-50, §4VAC15-30-30.

Washington Post, The. (2010 November 1). VA. Woman’s pet fox held at animal shelter. Retrieved from: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-breaking-news/crime-and-public-safety/va-womans-pet-fox-held-at-anim.html

Wayne, R. K. (1986 March). Cranial morphology of domestic and wild canids: The influence of development in morphological change. Evolution, 40(2), 243-261. Received from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2408805

Wayne, R. K., Geffen, E., Girman, D. J., Koepfli, K. P., Lau, L. M, and Marshall, C. R. (1997). Molecular systematics of the canidae. Systematic Biology 46(4): 622-653 doi: 10.1093/sysbio/46.4.622.

Westwood, R. E. (1989). Early fur farming in Utah. Utah Historical Quarterly, 57(4), 320-339. Retrieved from: http://utah.ptfs.com/awweb/awarchive?type=file&item=35278

WHIO Breaking News Staff. (2014 September 15). Fairborn mayor: Fox owner violated city ordinance. WHIO News Center 7. Retrieved from: http://www.whio.com/news/news/crime-law/fox-owner-wants-answers-why-her-pet-was-euthanized/nhLJn/?nmredir=true

Word, J. L. (2012 December). Pet perks: An examination and analysis of the relationship between companion animals and the development of empathy [Undergraduate thesis]. Retrieved from: https://digital.library.txstate.edu/handle/10877/4475

World Wide Exotic Animal Talent Agency, LLC. (2014). Russian-Siberian domestic fox. Lester Kalmanson Agency, Inc. Retrieved from: https://www.lkalmanson.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=19&Itemid=32

World Wide Exotic Animal Talent Agency, LLC. (2012 May). I. Domesticated Russian fox questionnaire form. Retrieved from: http://www.lkalmanson.com/images/stories/pdfs/domesticated_russian__fox_questionnaire_form_pdf.pdf

WSUA9. (2010 November 2). Fox Returned to Herndon Woman. Retrieved from: http://reston.wusa9.com/content/fox-returned-herndon-woman

Young, A. and Bannasch, D. (2006). Morphological variation in the dog. In E. A. Ostrander, U. Giger, and K. Lindblad-Toh (Eds.), The Dog and Its Genome (pp. 47-65). Woodbury, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

Download .pdf