Mikayla Raines Obituary: Save A Fox Founder Mikayla Raines Dies by Suicide After Lifelong Struggle with Mental Illness

The wildlife rescue community is mourning the tragic and untimely death of Mikayla Raines, founder and executive director of Save A Fox Rescue, who passed away last week after a long and courageous battle with mental illness.

Known for her tireless dedication to rescuing foxes from fur farms and abusive captivity, Raines was a respected and beloved figure in animal welfare circles. Her rescue, based in Minnesota, became a beacon of hope for discarded and mistreated animals, particularly foxes bred and raised for the fur trade.

Her passing, confirmed in a moving tribute by her husband Ethan on the Save A Fox social media page, has sent shockwaves through the rescue world. “She was the heart of this rescue,” Ethan wrote. “Every cage she opened, every life she saved, every story she told—she gave everything she had. But the pain she carried privately was more than anyone knew.”

While Raines was admired by many for her compassion and perseverance, close colleagues say the pressure she faced—public scrutiny, online harassment, and the crushing demands of large-scale rescue—took a toll. One recent rescue in particular may have pushed her beyond the limits of what even the most passionate rescuer could endure.

About a year ago, Raines was offered the chance of a lifetime: a fur farm agreed to shut down and surrender 500 foxes to her at no cost—if she would purchase the cages. For someone who devoted her life to ending the fur trade, it was a dream come true. But as the enormity of the task unfolded—securing veterinary care, rehoming traumatized animals, and facing backlash from within the community—she was left trying to do the impossible with limited space and resources.

“She moved heaven and earth for those foxes,” said a fellow rescuer who asked to remain anonymous. “Some people criticized her for it, said she shouldn’t have taken so many. But every rescuer has made desperate decisions when a life was on the line. Her heart was always in the right place.”

Despite outward appearances of joy and success, Raines was quietly fighting a profound internal battle. Like many in the animal rescue field, she was open about her autism and depression—yet the stigma surrounding mental health remains strong, even among advocates.

“I failed her,” another wildlife rehabber admitted in a candid statement. “I didn’t speak up when I saw people tearing her down. I assumed she was okay because she looked okay. But I should have known better. We all should have.”

Friends and colleagues now say some of the attacks Raines faced were not just criticism, but targeted harassment—some even coming from individuals with documented histories of animal abuse. The toxic environment of online rescue politics, they believe, played a part in her decline.

Still, amidst the grief, there is a call to action: to carry on Mikayla’s legacy. Save A Fox continues to care for dozens of animals, and the team is asking for donations and volunteer support through www.saveafox.org.

Raines’ story is a painful reminder of how isolation, misunderstanding, and unchecked cruelty—whether on animals or people—can cost lives. But it’s also a powerful testament to what one determined woman can do for the voiceless, even while fighting demons of her own.

If you are struggling, please remember: you are not alone. Help is available. Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or dial 911 in an emergency. There is no shame in asking for help. It can save your life—just as Mikayla spent hers saving others.

In honor of Mikayla, Save A Fox encourages donations, adoptions, and responsible sharing of her story. Let it be a wake-up call: mental illness is not weakness, and compassion must extend to the people who care for animals, too.