The Fate of Surrendered Foxes From Fur Farms in the US.
It all started in 2020 when I watched a suggested Youtube video showcasing foxes playing around in the snow, running after each other. That video made my day as I felt very depressed at that time. From those few minutes, I just kept watching more from that channel because I realized how much positivity and love all those adorable furry animals were brought into my life.
Behind the Scenes of a Home For Rescued Foxes.
Foxes are adorable wildlife animals. Red, grey, black, or white is their color; it doesn’t matter. Once I saw their elongated faces, always smiling, and their beautiful fur, my heart was hooked.
I quickly understood that they were all surrendered foxes from fur farms in the US. At their new home - SaveAFox Rescue in central Minnesota - Mikayla Raines (the founder of this sanctuary) is dedicated to their wellbeing. All the animals rescued can find love and a permanent, safe refuge for their tomorrows.
The Alarming Reality of Foxes on Fur Farms in the US.
When I watched the video - What does SAVEAFOX Rescue do? - on the dedicated Youtube channel that I started to measure the scope of it.
I want you to know that I put my focus here on foxes, but let’s not forget minks which represent the first animal on fur farms for trade. Save A Fox Rescue, a non-profit organization based in the US; I voluntarily do not mention other countries practicing the same kind of fur farming. But the situation is the same everywhere: Canada, Poland, Finland, or Estonia, to name a few.
Are Fur Farms Animals Breeding Foxes And Minks Legal?
In most states, in 2023, such fur farms are legal. There are roughly 250 in existence across the country. But it doesn’t stop some breeders from opening and managing fur farms in States where it’s illegal.
Although, in recent years, it seems that big fashion brands and companies are changing their mind about using animal fur on any newly made fur products.
Regarding fur, minks and foxes are at the top of the list.
What kind of treatments are to be expected there?
Officially, those animals are supposed to be cared for with enough space to rest, good food and water, and under the supervision of a veterinarian. By pushing aside the very existence, and relevancy of fur farms nowadays, many don’t follow any of these primary guidelines.
Animals are only bred and raised there to exist long enough to be killed to take their skin and fur (pelt is the correct word). It will most often be used in clothing and accessories by big fashion brands and companies.
Such a short description doesn’t even come close to what kind of treatments minks or foxes are exposed to in some fur farms.
They’re kept in small, wired cages all day long, where they barely have the space to turn. No veterinarian is present to sustain their health. Food is made out of what humans will never eat, and if the pipes for water have frozen during the Winter, no repair will be made.
They live in constant stress, fear, and anxiety (yes, animals can feel it too). The breeders can cruelly mistreat some. They are injured to the point where other foxes could have eaten a tail or an ear. They are left doing what they want, how they want, with no rules for their young behavior.
Foxes born in Spring for their pelt will be killed by the following January. It’s a business, fur farming.
Their death is done by electrocution, inserting something inside their mouth and rectum so that the whole process won’t damage the fur.
Can humans care enough for animals coming from fur farms?
SaveAFox Rescue - Red Fox Francesca
"What does SaveAFox Rescue do?" - video from SaveAFox Youtube channel
The founder of Save A Fox Rescue and her small team are one of many who can make a difference for surrendered minks and foxes.
Fur farms often contact them to pick any of these animals injured or not fit enough to serve their initial purpose. By the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) when they seized animals on an illegal fur farm. Or by private citizens who realized that foxes are not dogs or cats.
How to take care of foxes after traumas?
This sanctuary in central Minnesota has been dedicating all its time, efforts, space, and resources to its well-being and health since 2016. It’s all about building a bond with them, but this is an honest endeavor—patience, hard work, consistency, learning, bribery, love, and time.
This non-profit organization rescued approximately 200 foxes. According to Mikayla Raines (the founder), it never gets easier. In 2022/23, SaveAFox Rescue did some major renovations and maintenance to accommodate all the rescued animals. In 2021, nearly 70 foxes were saved from death.
They were placed in private homes, with some educated people who correctly set their place for the foxes (and not the other way around). Or in various other rescued areas and sanctuaries in the country, where the foxes know they found a permanent residence for the rest of their life.
How to Help Rescue Places or Sanctuaries for Foxes?
SaveAFox Rescue - Red Fox Finnegan with founder Mikayla Raines
Educate yourself on foxes - they’re not pets. Learn everything there is to know about their behavior before deciding to adopt one. For instance, foxes pee on everything all the time. Build your life around the animal.
Volunteering - spend some time around foxes to understand the kind of work and attention it requires.
Sponsoring or donating are great places to get involved, especially if you don’t want to bring a fox into your home. Rescue places and sanctuaries like SaveAFox Rescue always lack spaces and resources (good food and veterinary services are a significant expense).
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Fox is not the only animal needing protection from human's lack of common sense or education. Let's not forget any of them and become way more responsible.
No soul should ever experience cruelty, especially when it comes to trading.