Some folks fret that a fox will attack or eat their pets. Most of these concerns are baseless. It is true that foxes eat small mammals like rodents, and perhaps they might attack an old or infirm cat or a helpless kitten, but such occurrences are out of the ordinary.
In my neighborhood we have several outdoor cats that make the rounds. Recently, we have seen a one-eyed tuxedo that makes its way across the front deck and also the backyard. Maia and Kedi watch it with interest. There is also a well-fed but somewhat unkempt Siamese that makes the rounds here. Today, Mulder, the fox that I had tentatively named News, came to visit. It was just before sunset. While the fox looked at potential resting spots under the porch, the tuxedo made a stealthy approach.
The two came face-to-face without either one making menacing moves or noises. They did each become just a tad fluffier – piloerection, I suppose. After a bit, they each went their separate ways. I think that these interactions are typical of fox encounters with pets. Neither creature is defending territory – they are simply passing through the same territory at the same time. They give one another a wide berth because there is no survival advantage in initiating a conflict.
It would be nice if people were as rational.
You are the guardian angel for the pet unhomed. They know you will not harm them. How special!