A Tragic Loss That Shook the Animal Rescue Community
Mikayla Raines, a beloved figure in the animal rescue world and the founder of Save a Fox, has died at the age of 29. Her death, confirmed by her husband Ethan in a heartfelt video statement released Monday, was the result of suicide. The news sent shockwaves through her massive online community, which followed her journey as she dedicated her life to saving captive-born foxes and giving them a second chance at life.
Known for her deep empathy and tireless dedication, Raines launched Save a Fox in Minnesota when she was just 20 years old. Her efforts began quietly but soon gained global attention as her videos of rescued foxes captured hearts online. Over time, her YouTube channel grew to over 2.4 million subscribers, while her Instagram amassed more than half a million followers. The platform she built was never about spectacle—it was about giving voice to animals who had none.
In the video, Ethan described Mikayla as a “superhero” and “an amazing wife and a wonderful, caring mother.” He spoke directly to her fans, who have watched the sanctuary grow from a backyard dream to one of the internet’s most recognized wildlife rescue missions. “She was never in it for fame or money,” he said. “She was truly one of the most selfless people I have ever known.”
Mental Health Struggles Behind the Scenes
Beneath the joy of her animal rescue work, Raines was quietly battling inner storms. Ethan revealed that Mikayla had struggled with multiple mental health conditions for most of her life, including depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder. While these challenges made her world more difficult, Ethan said they also shaped her rare emotional depth and fierce sense of empathy.
He explained how being on the autism spectrum allowed Mikayla to hyperfocus, a trait that led her to devote every waking hour to caring for animals. From relocating snapping turtles to saving hundreds of foxes from fur farms, her world revolved around the lives she was trying to protect. But that same sensitivity, Ethan said, also made her vulnerable to cruelty—especially online.
According to Ethan, Mikayla had become the target of what he described as a coordinated campaign of online bullying. The hurtful messages came from strangers, people within the wildlife rescue community, and even individuals she had once trusted. While she rarely shared that pain with the public, Ethan said the negativity cut deeply. “She was so sensitive to everything,” he said. “It allowed her endless empathy, but it also meant that she took everything negative to heart.”
A Legacy of Compassion That Will Live On
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Ethan made it clear that Mikayla’s mission is far from over. He vowed to continue her work at Save a Fox, the sanctuary she built with her own hands and heart. Her original goal of rescuing 500 foxes from the fur industry still stands, and now, that mission continues in her memory. For Ethan, their daughter Freya, and the animals Mikayla loved, that promise carries the weight of purpose and tribute.
Fans have poured in with messages of grief, love, and support, sharing how Mikayla’s videos brought them joy and raised awareness about the cruelty of fur farms. For many, she was more than a rescuer. She was a voice for voiceless creatures, an advocate who used her platform not for attention, but for change. Her impact stretched far beyond the borders of Minnesota and into the hearts of millions.
As tributes continue to flood social media, Mikayla Raines is being remembered not only for what she did, but for who she was—a fiercely compassionate woman who lived every day trying to make the world a gentler place for animals. Though she is gone, her mission, her love, and her legacy remain, echoing through every fox she saved and every life she touched.