SaveAFox Rescue

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SaveAFox Rescue
NicknameSaveAFox
Formation2017 (2017)
FoundersMikayla Raines
Type501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
82-3454531
Legal statusCorporation
PurposeWildlife rehabilitation and fox rescue
Headquarters12245 175th St West
Lakeville, Minnesota 55044, United States
Region
Minnesota
ServicesFox rescue, rehabilitation, and placement
FieldsWildlife conservation, animal welfare
Official language
English
Director
Ethan Frankamp[a]
Revenue$1,334,145 (2023)
Expenses$949,127[1] (2023)
Websitesaveafox.org
RemarksState and federally licensed wildlife rescue facility

SaveAFox Corporation, publicly known as SaveAFox Rescue, is a 501(c)(3) family owned nonprofit organization based in Lakeville, Minnesota that specializes in rescuing foxes from fur farms, pet surrenders, and illegal ownership situations.[2][3][4] Founded in 2017 by wildlife rehabilitator Mikayla Raines, the organization focuses exclusively on captive-born, non-releasable wildlife. A second facility was opened in Lake County, Florida in 2020. SaveAFox operates as a United States Department of Agriculture-, Department of Natural Resources-, and Fish and Wildlife Commission-licensed facility.[3]

The rescue has saved approximately 150 foxes from certain death and maintains significant public engagement through social media. The organization received a 3/4 star rating from Charity Navigator and operates under EIN 82-3454531.[5]

History

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SaveAFox Corporation was founded in 2017 by Mikayla Raines, who began working with foxes over a decade prior.[3][6] Raines developed her wildlife expertise through early exposure to wildlife rehabilitation alongside her mother, a licensed rehabilitator. At age 15, she bottle-fed her first fox, a gray fox kit, and later pursued licensing as a wildlife rehabilitator herself. Her transition from wild fox rehabilitation to domestic fox rescue occurred after taking in a tame pet fox, Fiasco, which introduced her to the distinct needs of captive-bred foxes.[3] Raines posted images of Fiasco to Instagram, leading to SaveAFox gaining online fame.[3]

The organization achieved federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and secured licensing from multiple regulatory agencies. SaveAFox maintains United States Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, and Fish and Wildlife Commission licenses, enabling legal operation as a wildlife facility. The rescue has maintained consistent operations since its founding, focusing primarily on foxes and mink from fur farmers and private owners.[3]

In 2020, a second facility was opened in Lake County, Florida after raising funds on GoFundMe.[4][7] The organization has also appealed for other licensed sanctuaries to help with new arrivals.[8]

Ethan Frankamp, Mikayla's husband, announced on June 24, 2025, that Mikayla had died by suicide, due to a combination of mental health issues and online harassment she faced in how SaveAFox was run. He said he would continue to run the organization, saying "I will not let Mikayla's light be extinguished, and I won't let negativity win, and I won't let her mission fall apart."[6][9] A celebration of life for Raines is set to be held on July 12, 2025 at the facility.[7]

Media presence

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SaveAFox also maintains a social media presence, having over 2 million YouTube subscribers, as of June 2025.[9] Multiple of the channel's videos have gone viral, attracting national media attention to the rescue. and individual foxes of Raines' and the rescue's have garnered popularity in their own right. One such video released during the COVID-19 pandemic, of a male fox named Finnegan that, when petted by Raines, made noises that sounded like laughter, was particularly popular.[10] Another video from the channel, released in December 2021, attracted national media attention to the rescue.[4] Esmae and Mala, a pair of black-and-white bonded foxes from the sanctuary, also went viral in June 2022, as online viewers dubbed the two "lesbian goth foxes".[11]

Audio from foxes at the rescue have been used in the sound design of the video game Overwatch 2 (2022) and the animated film The Wild Robot (2024).[12][13]

Mission and goals

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SaveAFox Corporation's stated mission is "to rescue and provide forever homes for captive-born, non-releasable wildlife". The organization specifically targets domestic foxes that are distinct from wild foxes, being born in captivity either for the pet trade or fur farming.[2] Most rescued foxes come from fur farms due to orphaning, imperfect coats, illness, or injury that make them unprofitable, while others arrive as pet surrenders from owners who underestimated care requirements or through seizures from illegal ownership situations.[5][14]

The organization prioritizes non-releasable animals exclusively, distinguishing itself from traditional wildlife rehabilitation that focuses on return to natural habitats. This approach addresses the specific needs of captive-bred animals that cannot survive in wild environments.[15]

Programs and activities

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SaveAFox operates multiple program streams centered on direct animal rescue and public education. The organization offers fox sponsorship programs, allowing supporters to financially support specific animals, and maintains an adoption program for qualified applicants. Educational programs teach the public about rescued animals through facility tours and outreach.[16][17]

The rescue operates primarily in Minnesota while accepting animals from broader geographic regions. SaveAFox maintains substantial public engagement through social media platforms, with over 887,000 Facebook followers. The organization generates revenue through donations, sponsorships, merchandise sales, and fundraising campaigns. Partnerships with supporters enable ongoing operations and expansion of rescue capacity.[18][19]

References

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  1. ^ "Saveafox Corporation - Financials". Cause IQ. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "About Us". Saveafox. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Hugo, Kristin (February 9, 2019). "Rescued foxes find refuge in Minnesota". National Geographic. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Minnesota Fox Rescue Group Gets National Attention After Viral Video". CBS Minnesota. CBS News. December 20, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Rating for Saveafox Corporation". Charity Navigator. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Lavietes, Matt (June 24, 2025). "YouTube star Mikayla Raines dies by suicide at 29, husband blames online abuse". NBC News. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Cross, Greta (June 27, 2025) [June 26, 2025]. "Mom of YouTuber Mikayla Raines remembers her daughter's relentless fight to save animals". USA Today. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  8. ^ Cravey, Beth Reese (February 25, 2024). "Foxes rescued from fur farm have new home at Nassau County wildlife sanctuary". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Muir, Ellie (June 24, 2025). "Mikayla Raines death: YouTube fox rescue star dies, aged 29". The Independent. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  10. ^ Juliano, Michael (May 20, 2020). "This adorable fox rescue in Minnesota will make you fall in love with foxes". Time Out. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  11. ^ Crann, Tom; Stroozas, Sam (June 30, 2022). "'Lesbian goth foxes,' the story of Esmae and Mala". All Things Considered. MPRNews. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  12. ^ Finnegan fox and friends hit the BIG SCREEN!. SaveAFox Rescue. March 1, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Shutler, Ali (June 25, 2025). "'Overwatch' fans pay tribute to late YouTuber Mikayla Raines". NME. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  14. ^ McGuire, Mary (November 8, 2023). "Faribault rescue aims to save 500 foxes from fur farm". FOX 9. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  15. ^ "Our Charity: SaveAFox Rescue | Furality Luma". Furality Online Xperience. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  16. ^ "Sponsor". Saveafox. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  17. ^ "Fox Sponsorship". Saveafox. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  18. ^ Saveafox Corporation | Lakeville MN. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2025 – via Facebook.
  19. ^ "Saveafox's YouTube Statistics". Social Blade. Retrieved May 28, 2025.

Notes

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  1. ^ Also known as Ethan Raines.