Dozens of people across the state own tame foxes that are considered as much a part of the family as any cat or dog. But those owners must now apply for a permit from Local Land Services to keep their animals. It will now be illegal to keep any new foxes in captivity. And by law, any fox cub that is found abandoned or injured in the future must be euthanised.

In a statement to be released on Monday, Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson describes the order as a move that will benefit "landowners and the wider community", adding: "Foxes are not companion animals – this pest control order sends the clear message that they are pests, not pets."

Sydney Fox Rescue confirmed on Saturday that it lodged a proposal during the draft consultation phase for the inclusion of a "permit system" that would allow it to continue its work, and for people to continue keeping foxes privately.

But the submission was denied and the charity's president, Charlie Jackson-Martin, was scrambling to find emergency homes for more than 24 cubs. He stressed the group was "not arguing" against the pest control order, but described the government's "kill-all policy" as "unconsidered".

"This decision poses some serious animal welfare concerns because I don't think members of the public are going to abide by it," he said.