While fennec foxes may be adorable pets, they can be pricey. The average cost of a fennec fox is $1,000 to $3,500. The price is high for several reasons. For one, there aren’t that many breeders in the United States. Fennec foxes are considered exotic. That bars several people in certain states from owning one. That also means there aren’t any breeders in those states.
Because there are so few breeders, the prices are high. There’s little competition.
Another reason the price is high is just that how rare fennec foxes are. While they’re quite populous in the Sahara desert, they don’t live in the United States. With few breeders supplying them, the demand for fennec foxes outpaces the supply. That causes the price to increase.
Because they come from Africa, breeders have to pay a lot just to get the fox over to the United States. All of those costs are considered in their pricing. Even if breeders already have their set at home, they have to regularly maintain their breeding pair. Those costs are likely reflected in the charges they make for the foxes they sell.
There are not different breeds of the fennec fox. However, you may find that some breeders may charge more if they end up with a color that is rare.
What Are The Startup Costs To Own A Fennec Fox?
Besides the fox, itself, you’ll have to be prepared to spend a lot of money just to prepare your home for one. The first cost you should look into is the legality of owning a fennec. For some states, you may need to purchase a permit if it isn’t free. Permit fees vary by state, but you may need to spend anywhere from $25 to $100.
Once you’re sure you can actually own a fennec, you’ll need to consider their enclosure. Fennec foxes have a lot of energy, especially at night, because they’re nocturnal. They’re used to being able to roam around the desert. You should consider having an indoor and outdoor enclosure for your fennec.
One of the most important aspects of your outdoor enclosure is that it needs to have a floor and ceiling of some kind. Fennec foxes love to dig. They make their home in the desert by burrowing deep holes in the ground and living in them. Sometimes, they’ll even burrow down 20 feet. If your outdoor enclosure doesn’t have a floor or isn’t resting on something like concrete or pavers, then your fennec will likely dig its way out of the enclosure.
Since it’s still pretty wild, you can be sure that your fennec is going to escape and never come back.
Your outdoor enclosure also needs to have a roof. Sometimes the fennec can climb with surprising skill. At the very least, the enclosure should have walls that slope inwards near the top.
The size of the enclosure is also important. If you want your fennec to be relaxed and happy, then they need to room run around and play. Even though they’re small, they still need a good amount of space. You’re looking at a rather large enclosure at the end of the day. This can cost you anywhere from $500 to $1,000 on average.
Then they’ll need a smaller cage for indoor use. Unless you want your fennecs to be running around the house at night or when you’re gone, then an indoor cage is a must-have. Considering that fennec foxes are notorious diggers, you can expect them to destroy your furniture and electric cables while you’re away. You can find pretty cheap dog cages at the very least that should suffice.
Most professional breeders will give their baby fennec foxes the shots they need before selling them. However, a few will leave those to you. Like any pet that requires its first shots, this can be quite pricey. The exact prices depend on your vet, however.
Finally, you’ll need to make sure that you have the right food. You can find fennec fox on various websites or feed them your own homemade recipes by buying crickets and other insects and mix them with some vegetables.
What Are The Ongoing Costs To Own A Fennec Fox?
Some of the costs you can expect to make throughout the life of your fennec are veterinary and food costs. Like any pet, your fennec will need regular check-ups. They are prone to worms and other health problems. It’s essential your exotic pet vet knows how to treat fennecs. Otherwise, you may have to pay even more to travel to one far away.
You may also find that you need to replace damaged bedding over time. Fennecs may decide to dig and burrow into the beds that you buy them. You’ll probably have to replace those and their toys as they destroy them through play.
How To Find Fennec Foxes For Sale And Choosing The Right Breeder
Finding the right breeder is essential to buying a healthy fennec fox. There are tons of exotic pet websites where breeders post their wares. You should never buy a fennec fox that is under $1,000. It’s likely a scam or the fennec is extremely unhealthy.
You’ll want to choose a breeder that takes great care of their breeders and the kits. These are breeders who take on the cost of the initial shots for the kits and keep them in good condition.
One way to see if the breeder is reputable is to visit them. Not many will ship their foxes because it can scare them horribly. As such, you’ll likely have to drive to the breeder, anyway. When you’re there, take a look at the facility and see if it’s well-kept and if the breeders are healthy or kept in poor conditions.
You’ll want to train yourself to be able to recognize the signs of a puppy mill. You shouldn’t support these individuals because they don’t take care of their breeders.
