mikayla raines

Mikayla Raines (born March 5, 1995, in Burnsville, Minnesota) developed a deep connection with animals from an early age, influenced by her mother’s work in wildlife rehabilitation. Her passion for foxes began at 15 when she assisted in rehabilitating an orphaned gray fox. This experience led her to pursue formal training, completing wildlife rehabilitation classes through the DNR and studying in a veterinary technician program at Globe University in Minnesota. In 2016, she obtained her license as a wildlife rehabilitator. Her early efforts included bottle-raising and re-homing ten baby foxes in 2016. Initially operating from her mother’s rural property in Lakeville, Minnesota, Mikayla faced challenges with local regulations regarding the number of animals she could keep. Her permit was eventually revoked in Lakeville, which led to a significant turning point in her career.

In 2017, at the age of 22, Mikayla founded Save a Fox Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal sanctuary. This organization focused on rescuing foxes born in captivity, particularly from fur farms, and those surrendered by owners. The establishment of Save a Fox Rescue marked a major milestone, allowing her to formally expand her rescue operations. With public support, including $60,000 in donations after her Lakeville permit issue, she relocated and established a new facility in Rice County, near Faribault, Minnesota. By 2019, Save a Fox Rescue had grown to become the largest fox rescue in the United States. In addition to the Minnesota location, she opened a second facility in Groveland, Florida, in 2020 to address the high demand for fox surrenders, particularly from the Southern U.S.

Over her career, Mikayla rescued a wide variety of animals, including foxes, mink, raccoons, coyotes, turtles, squirrels, sheep, and horses, ultimately helping thousands of animals. A notable achievement occurred around 2023, when she collaborated with an Iowa fur farmer to rescue 500 foxes, spending approximately $1 million raised through donations, tours, and merchandise sales. Her work gained significant visibility through social media, where she amassed millions of followers on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Mikayla was open about her struggles with mental health and being on the autism spectrum, often sharing these experiences with her followers. She passed away on June 20, 2025, at the age of 30.