If you've spent any time scrolling through local Stittsville community pages, you've likely come across the occasional wildlife sighting that stops the feed in its tracks. This week, it's a fox, and the community is absolutely here for it.
The Video That Made Everyone Smile
Footage shared by the @love.stittsville Instagram account, originally captured by community member Jenna Maria, shows a fox going about its business in what looks like a quiet neighbourhood setting. The reaction from the local community was immediate and warm, exactly the kind of content that reminds people why they love living in Stittsville.
Foxes have become something of a beloved presence in Ottawa's western communities. They're clever, adaptable, and genuinely beautiful animals, and spotting one (especially on camera) feels like a little gift.
Foxes in Stittsville: Not Uncommon, Always Welcome
Stittsville sits on the western edge of Ottawa, bordered by greenspace, farmland remnants, and the kinds of mature suburban neighbourhoods that urban wildlife tends to love. Red foxes in particular thrive in these transitional zones, close enough to residential areas to find food, but with enough natural cover to feel at home.
Locals have reported fox sightings in the area for years. They tend to be most visible in the early morning or around dusk, when they're out hunting. Families of foxes, a vixen and her kits, are sometimes spotted in spring, which is when young foxes start exploring beyond the den.
Living Alongside Urban Wildlife
Seeing a fox in your neighbourhood is generally a positive sign. It indicates a healthy local ecosystem. That said, there are a few things residents can do to keep both foxes and the community happy:
- Don't feed them. Foxes that become accustomed to human food can lose their natural wariness and cause problems down the line.
- Secure your garbage. Like most urban wildlife, foxes are opportunistic. A loose bin lid is an invitation.
- Keep small pets supervised if you know foxes are active in your area, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Enjoy from a distance. Foxes are wild animals, and they're best appreciated with a little space between you and them.
The Love.Stittsville Community
The @love.stittsville account has become a beloved hub for exactly this kind of content, neighbourhood life, local wildlife, community milestones, and the small moments that make Stittsville feel like home. It's a reminder that even as Ottawa's west end grows and develops, the natural character of the area is still very much present.
Keep your eyes open on your morning walk. You never know what you might spot.
Source: @love.stittsville on Instagram, video by Jenna Maria
