The animal rescue community and beyond are devastated by the tragic and profound loss of Mikayla Raines, the compassionate, fearless, and visionary founder of Save A Fox Rescue, who passed away on June 20, 2025, at the age of 33. Her passing follows a long, often invisible battle with mental illness—a painful struggle many rescuers know all too well, and one she carried with quiet strength and grace.
Mikayla wasn’t just the founder of a rescue; she was the beating heart of a movement. She created Save A Fox Rescue not only as a safe haven for captive-bred foxes and other exotic animals, but as a sanctuary of hope—for animals who had never known kindness, and for people around the world who found inspiration, comfort, and joy through her work. With her camera in hand and a fox often at her side, Mikayla invited us into a world few had ever seen—one filled with trust, healing, and unconditional love between humans and animals.
Her dedication was relentless. She worked tirelessly—through long winters, early mornings, and sleepless nights—to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals that society often overlooked or misunderstood. Her deep understanding of fox behavior, her educational outreach, and her raw, honest storytelling helped change public perception of captive wildlife and gave a powerful voice to creatures often forgotten.
Mikayla’s bond with her animals, especially her foxes, was something extraordinary. Through viral videos, heartfelt updates, and candid reflections, she brought millions of people closer to animals they might never encounter. She showed the world that foxes were not pests or ornaments, but living souls deserving of care, respect, and freedom from exploitation.
And yet, behind the scenes, Mikayla carried a weight that is familiar to many in the rescue and caregiving world. The emotional toll of compassion—the heartbreak of loss, the pressure of constant need, the isolation that can come from always giving and never asking—was immense. She bore it silently, like so many caregivers do, giving all of herself to save others, even as her own pain remained hidden in the background.
Her passing is a devastating reminder that mental health must be part of the conversation—not just in society at large, but especially in the world of rescue, where burnout, compassion fatigue, and trauma are all too common. Mikayla’s courage extended far beyond the enclosures of her sanctuary; it was present in her ability to keep showing up, even in her darkest moments. She was not weak—she was brave beyond measure.
As we mourn Mikayla, we also honor her legacy. Her life’s work lives on in the hundreds of foxes she rescued, in the education she provided, in the hearts of those she inspired, and in the global community that rallied around her vision. Her sanctuary, Save A Fox Rescue, stands as a living testament to her love, her passion, and her belief that all lives—no matter how small or wild—have value.
Mikayla Raines leaves behind a world that is more compassionate because of her. She taught us to listen to the voiceless, to fight for the forgotten, and to never underestimate the power of empathy.
In her memory, let us continue the work she began. Let us support one another—not just in rescue, but in life. Let us speak openly about the mental and emotional burdens that come with caring so deeply. And let us never forget that the ones who appear strongest may be quietly suffering.
To Mikayla—your light touched more lives than you ever knew. You gave your whole heart to this world, and while your physical presence is gone, your spirit remains—running wild with the foxes you loved, and echoing in the hearts of those you inspired.
Rest in peace, Mikayla. Your kindness changed the world. Your legacy will live on. You are deeply missed, eternally remembered, and forever loved.