Mikayla Raines, the inspiring founder of Save a Fox Rescue and beloved YouTuber, passed away in June 2025, leaving a deep void in the animal rescue community and among her many followers. Her husband, Ethan, shared the heartbreaking news in a deeply emotional video on YouTube, defending Mikayla’s legacy while addressing the false accusations and online cruelty she endured. He revealed that she had long struggled with depression and borderline personality disorder, and despite her fierce strength and boundless compassion, the emotional pain eventually became unbearable.
Ethan spoke about how Mikayla’s profound sensitivity was both a beautiful gift and a heavy burden. Over the years, relentless harassment from critics including some within the rescue community itself inflicted deep emotional wounds. Yet, through it all, Mikayla’s dedication never wavered. Her passion for helping animals began when she was just 15, after meeting her first fox while volunteering. This encounter inspired her to establish a rescue that saved hundreds of foxes and other animals, many rescued from cruel fur farms.
Leaving college behind to devote herself entirely to animal care, Mikayla became a fierce advocate for foxes and their welfare. One of her most notable rescues involved saving 500 animals when given the chance to shut down a fur farm. Despite limited space and resources, Mikayla always put the needs of the animals first, pouring her heart and soul into every rescue mission she undertook.
Her sudden passing brought an outpouring of grief from supporters worldwide, all praising her enduring legacy, her immense heart, and the incredible impact she made in her too-short life. Just days before she passed, Mikayla appeared joyful in a video feeding a lemur, and in private moments, she gently taught her daughter to respect and care for wildlife. Mikayla’s legacy of compassion, education, and tireless rescue work lives on in the countless lives she saved and the many people she inspired.