Northwood Civic Association members are making an effort to raise awareness of neighborhood foxes, after residents rescued an injured and sick one last month.
In July, a neighbor saw a red fox get hit by a car on Arrott Street, but the animal, nicknamed “Foxy” by residents, wasn’t spotted again until October. It not only had a broken leg, but a severe case of mange.
Residents set up a series of traps in the area of the 1000 block of Arrott in an attempt to rescue the fox so it could receive proper treatment. Photographs uploaded to social media by one neighbor show the animal was in rough shape.
“I felt so horrible,” said Mari Carrasquillo, vice president of the civic association. “It was really emotional.”
In November, a neighbor was working on his car when the fox approached him. They captured her and she was taken to Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center in Norristown, where her condition is reportedly improving.
Carrasquillo said neighbors are hoping rescue workers release the fox back into Northwood.
In the meantime, she purchased two “fox crossing” signs. The plan is to post them after the holidays on Arrott near Simpson Recreation Center and on Orthodox Street between Naples and Horrocks streets, Carrasquillo said.
The idea is to raise awareness of foxes and, hopefully, prevent another accident.
In other news from the Dec. 17 Northwood Civic meeting, Terry Heiser, who handles streets and traffic for the group, informed residents that there is now a crossing guard at Large and Wakeling streets and another at Castor Avenue and Sanger Street. Both positions had gone unfilled for some time.
Heiser has been working to spread the word about a crossing guard shortage in the 15th Police District. He said the Large and Wakeling guard is covering the intersection on a temporary basis until a new guard is hired.
“The trouble here is getting qualified applicants,” Heiser said.
Interested candidates should check www.phila.gov/personnel for openings.
The Northwood Civic Association’s next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Simpson Recreation Center, 1010 Arrott St. ••
