The animal rescue world lost a true guardian angel this week. Mikayla Raines, the founder of SaveAFox Rescue, has passed away at the age of 31, leaving behind a legacy that touched millions of lives – both human and animal. On Tuesday husband Ethan Raines took to Social Media to announce the death of Mikayala who sadly took her own life on 23rd Monday 2025. The reason he stated was how Mikayla just could not cope with the cyberbullying.
Her passing reminds us of the profound impact one person can have when they dedicate their entire existence to protecting those who cannot speak for themselves. What is even more significant is how we as humans need to be more compassionate of people like Mikayla who despite suffering from mental issues relentlessly worked for the rehabilitation of animals.
The Early Seeds of Compassion
Like many passionate advocates, Mikayla’s journey began with a single, life-changing moment. She found her love for foxes at the age of 15 when she met her very first fox while volunteering for a wildlife rehabber. That encounter wasn’t just a fleeting moment – it was the spark that would ignite a lifelong passion. Her interest and experience with wildlife started at a young age because her mother was a rehabilitator, and she would attend annual wildlife rehabilitation training classes alongside her. Picture a teenager, already drawn to helping creatures that most people would never encounter, learning the delicate art of rehabilitation alongside her mother. What started as curiosity quickly transformed into an unshakeable calling.
Building Dreams from Heartbreak
The world of animal rescue is rarely straightforward, and Mikayla’s path was no exception. Her love for these animals was recognized in 2015 and she was offered a captive-born red fox to bottle raise and keep. Although not a true rescue, she was her very first red fox, she named her Farrah Foxet. That single fox opened her eyes to a heartbreaking reality – captive-born foxes from fur farms and abandoned pets needed safe havens. Raines’ “SaveAFox Rescue” was founded in 2017 when she was 20, with it being officially registered as 501(c)(3) charity.
At the time of its founding, Raines was studying to be a veterinary technician, opting to drop out in order to found SaveAFox. Imagine being 20 years old and choosing to abandon your college education to follow your heart – that takes incredible courage.
From Setbacks to Spectacular Success
The road wasn’t smooth for this young dreamer. Mikayla Raines founded Save A Fox in Lakeville in 2017, and was soon at odds with the City Council for violating her permit by taking in more than twice the number of foxes allowed. Raines ultimately had her permit revoked. But here’s where Mikayla’s story becomes truly remarkable – instead of giving up, she turned that setback into her greatest triumph.
Despite her permit loss, she received $60,000 in donations in just a three-month span, leading her to open a bigger operation near Faribault in Rice County. The fox sanctuary and non-profit organization became the largest fox rescue in the United States by June 2019. Think about that – from losing her permit to becoming the largest fox rescue in America in just two years.
The Magic of Viral Fame
What made Mikayla special wasn’t just her rescue work – it was how she shared her world with millions. The Save a Fox YouTube channel was created in December 2009 and has accrued over 2 million subscribers. One particular rescue fox, Finnegan, became a minor internet celebrity in his own right. The viral video of one of her foxes stealing her phone and making her give chase has at the time of writing received 16 million views. Her sanctuary has been so famous that Dreamworks sent their foley artists to record Finnegan’s voice to feature in the feature film The Wild Robot. Imagine having your rescued fox’s voice immortalized in a Hollywood movie – it’s the kind of magical moment that perfectly captures how Mikayla turned animal rescue into an art form.
A Life Dedicated to the Voiceless
Behind the viral videos and internet fame was a woman who truly understood sacrifice. From a young age, she dedicated every waking hour of her life to helping them, whether it was helping a snapping turtle cross the road or saving 500 foxes from a terrible fur farm. She was never in it for fame, money or personal gain. Founded in 2017, the nonprofit SaveAFox Rescue Corporation climbed from zero to total revenue of $1.3 million in 2023. She kept a good rapport with the fur farmers as they are kind enough to give injured, Ill, adult, and rejected fox pups to the rescue. But that is only where half of our foxes come from. MANY of the foxes here are surrenders. Her approach was practical and compassionate – she understood that change comes through building bridges, not burning them.
The Hidden Battle Behind the Smile
What many fans didn’t realize was the personal struggle Mikayla faced daily. She struggled with conditions like autism, depression and borderline personality disorder. Raines was on the autism spectrum, something Frankamp said was a mixed blessing. And she was so sensitive to everything, which is a double-edged sword because on the one hand, it allowed her endless empathy for those in her care, but it also means that she took everything negative to heart. She was always in and out of different kinds of therapy to help her cope, trying various mood stabilizers and meds. Nothing really seemed to help. Her autism, which gave her such deep empathy for animals, also made her incredibly vulnerable to the cruelty of others. Simple tasks were hard for her. Looking at her from the outside, you could never tell what was going on in her head, but even just socializing would send her over the edge.
When the World Turned Dark
The tragedy that ended Mikayla’s life reveals the darker side of internet fame. Ethan revealed that Mikayla had been the target of a prolonged online harassment campaign. The abuse reportedly came not only from strangers but also from individuals within her personal life and others in the animal rescue community. In recent years, Mikayla and her animal rescue non-profit had allegedly been the focus of an online bullying campaign from people she knew, including those who worked at other animal sanctuaries. Mikayla felt as if the entire world had turned against her. She couldn’t bear what she was feeling any longer. And she ended her life. Mikayla Raines, 30, founder of SaveAFox Rescue Corporation, near Faribault in Rice County, Minnesota, and an international YouTube star with videos of her rescued foxes and other wildlife, on June 21, 2025 committed suicide.
A Legacy That Lives On
Even in death, Mikayla’s impact continues to resonate. Mikayla leaves behind Ethan and their toddler daughter, Freya, as well as numerous animals she was caring for in the Save a Fox rescue. Ethan promised that he would continue to run the rescue in his wife’s stead, promising to honor her legacy in the work that was so important to her and the animals in her care. I gave Mikayla all of my love and energy, and I will do the same with this rescue going forward. As long as you are all here to support us, we can do this. Tributes have poured in from across the animal rescue community, with many remembering Raines as a kind-hearted, tireless advocate whose work changed lives—both animal and human.
Mikayla Raines proved that one person, driven by genuine compassion, can create ripples that become waves of positive change. She saved hundreds of animals, touched millions of hearts, and showed us that our greatest strength often lies in our deepest sensitivity. In a world that’s filled with darkness, she was just light. Her story serves as both an inspiration and a sobering reminder that behind every screen is a real person with real struggles. The foxes she saved, the lives she touched, and the sanctuary she built stand as monuments to a life lived with purpose.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Gargi from India has a Masters in History, and a Bachelor of Education. An animal lover, she is keen on crafting stories and creating content while pursuing a career in education.
