In Loving Memory of Mikayla Raines: A Light for Foxes, Dimmed Too Soon
The animal rescue world is mourning the tragic and profound loss of Mikayla Raines, the compassionate and fearless founder of Save A Fox Rescue. Mikayla passed away on June 20, 2025, after a long and often invisible battle with mental illness—one that, sadly, many rescuers know all too well.
Mikayla’s passing is not only a personal tragedy for her family, especially her beloved husband Ethan, but a heartbreaking loss for the thousands of animals she rescued, the community she built, and the legacy she leaves behind. Known for her warmth, dedication, and deeply felt empathy, Mikayla helped change the way the world sees foxes—creatures long misunderstood, abused, and exploited in the fur trade.
From humble beginnings, Mikayla poured her soul into Save A Fox, building it into a leading voice in ethical exotic animal rescue. Her sanctuary became a safe haven for foxes discarded by fur farms and failed as pets. She educated millions through social media, not only on the realities of the fur industry but also on the complex care these animals require.
Mikayla wasn’t just rescuing animals—she was rescuing the truth.
A Legacy of Compassion and Courage
Last year, Mikayla took on what would be one of the most ambitious rescue missions in recent history: shutting down an entire fur farm and attempting to rehome 500 foxes. The fur farm agreed to relinquish the animals if Mikayla would purchase their cages—an offer that, while controversial to some, was the opportunity of a lifetime for someone who had dedicated her existence to ending the fur trade.
She worked tirelessly to secure veterinary care, food, and homes for these foxes. Many zoos and sanctuaries stepped up. Some rescues, unable to take on more animals due to space or funding, regretfully declined. In the end, Mikayla shouldered the burden of the remaining animals alone, driven by her overwhelming love and a refusal to give up on even a single life.
Still, she was met with criticism. Rumors swirled, often by those with questionable records themselves. Instead of recognizing the enormity of what she was trying to accomplish, some used it as a weapon. Those who truly knew Mikayla knew her heart was in the right place. She made decisions not for optics, but for the animals. It’s something all real rescuers understand deeply.
A Call for Compassion and Accountability
In the days since Mikayla’s passing, many in the rescue community have voiced not just grief—but regret. Regret for not speaking up louder. Regret for assuming she was okay. Regret for not defending her when it might have made a difference. Those regrets now serve as a reminder: even the strongest among us can be hurting.
Her husband Ethan, who bravely shared the news with the world and honored Mikayla’s life with grace and vulnerability, continues to carry forward her mission. He has asked that those who want to help do so by supporting Save A Fox directly
Mental Health is Real, and It Matters
To those in rescue, advocacy, and emotionally taxing roles: your work is vital, but your life is irreplaceable. The pressure to do good, look strong, and bear the weight of others’ suffering can be overwhelming. It’s okay to step back. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to say, “I’m not okay.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out:
📞 988 – Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
📞 911 – In immediate danger
You are not alone. Mikayla wasn’t alone. But we need to be louder in showing up for each other—not just in our grief, but in our daily compassion.
Carrying the Torch Forward
Mikayla Raines changed the world for so many animals and inspired a generation of rescuers, educators, and dreamers. Her light, while gone too soon, still flickers in the eyes of every fox she saved, every life she touched, and every person she inspired to be kinder, braver, and more honest.
Let us honor her not only in mourning, but in action:
🐾 Speak kindly, especially to those who give everything to help others.
🐾 Support your local rescues and sanctuaries with donations, time, or understanding.
🐾 Advocate fiercely, but with care—for the animals and for their guardians.
🐾 And never, ever let someone’s compassion be used as a weapon against them.
Mikayla, your courage lives on in every fox curled in comfort tonight because of you. You were deeply loved, and you will be missed beyond measure.