Minnesota & Wider World Mourn the Loss of ‘Save a Fox’ Founder

Mikayla Raines, a fierce advocate for animal rights, who dedicated her life to rescuing foxes from around the U.S. has passed away.

Earlier this week, her husband, Ethan, shared the tragic news of her passing to her millions of followers on social media.

After less than two days from its release, the video, in which a devastated Ethan broke the news to the world, has amassed millions of views on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.

According to the Save a Fox website, Mikayla had been working with foxes for years. Her love for animals was unwavering and she got that love from her mother, who was a rehabilitator herself and instilled her values into Mikayla. When she was 18, Mikayla enrolled in classes and soon became a rehabilitator herself.

It was in discovering the need for these domestic foxes to have a place to go when met with uncertain situations that I founded SaveAFox Rescue, which has been operating since 2017.

-Mikayla Raines via SaveaFox Website

Operating out of central Minnesota, Save a Fox saved hundreds of foxes from certain death, something Mikayla was tremendously proud of. Due to this, she gained a certain "celebrity status" in the animal saving world and built up a devoted and passionate fanbase. But as with any level of fame, soon came the detractors.

Mikayla's husband, Ethan, has stated that some of the vile things these "keyboard warriors" would put out there on the internet really took a toll on his wife's mental health

She couldn’t bear what she was feeling any longer, and she ended her life,  And it breaks my heart that someone who is selfless and devoted her life to animals could have so much negativity pointed at her. And to those of you that pushed her to this, every one of you that had been responsible for making her feel this way, I wish you had to feel what she felt. I wish you had to feel what I feel.

-Ethan Raines via NBC News

If you or anyone you know is battling mental health issues, do not hesitate to dial the lifeline at 988, or text 988 directly.

Story Sources: Save A Fox Website, Save A Fox YouTube Page, 988 Helpline Website