Wildlife Conservation United States Project #30422

Help Feed Rescued Exotic & Wild Animals in Arizona

by Keepers of the Wild

Help Feed Rescued Exotic & Wild Animals in Arizona

Project Report | Mar 27, 2024
12 New Foxes Saved From A Fur Farm!

By Lara Kraft | Vice President, Chairwoman

A fur farm fox (compliments of Save a Fox).

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Happy spring! With the arrival of my favorite season at the sanctuary, so too, is big news I have to share with you! Arizona Gives Day, a day geared toward supporting vetted nonprofits like Keepers of the Wild, is NEXT TUESDAY, 04/02/24, and we have the perfect opportunity for you to make a true difference in the lives of animals in need.

You may remember that in November of last year, I was contacted by the organization "Save A Fox", whose team inquired about our sanctuary's ability to take in some foxes being rescued from a fur farm in Minnesota. A staggering 500 foxes were relinquished from the fur farm and are in desperate need of a forever home, safe from the clutches of humans who have no regard for the life of these beautiful, sentient creatures. I couldn't say "yes" to helping fast enough!

The twelve foxes Kepers of the Wild committed to rescuing are set to arrive this week!

Foxes have always been one of my favorite animals and I feel incredibly passionate about ending the cruel and unnecessary practice of fur farming. Captive animals residing in fur farms endure a life of hell. Kept in small, cramped wire cages without freedom of movement or the ability to comfortably rest, the animals are nothing short of prisoners awaiting their fate. When the time finally comes for them to be killed for their pelt, unethical and extremely cruel methods of destruction are used, from gassing to clubbing, and worse, which I won't mention here. Much of the time, the animals are witness to their fellow farm-mates violent and traumatizing endings. Like humans, animals do experience trauma, and I can think of few scenarios more traumatic than enduring such a barbaric experience.

It is estimated by the Humane Society International that nearly 43 million animals were killed in 2021 for use in the global fur trade. The United States is responsible for approximately 2.5 million of those animals. This statistic, to me, is made worse by the fact that faux fur is considerably less expensive to produce than real animal pelts. It is time to put an end to the senseless, greedy, and cruel practice of killing innocent animals for their fur, and I'm asking you to help me spread awareness of this subject.

In response to the call from Save A Fox, Keepers of the Wild will be welcoming two families of foxes from the fur farm in MN, a total of TWELVE NEW FOXES. The families consist of the parents and their four kits (babies) who were born last spring. We have built two brand new habitats for the foxes, specifically designed to encourage all the natural behaviors of foxes: running, pouncing, foraging, climbing, and yes, even digging! With a special underground barrier, the new fox habitats prevent the animals from being able to dig out but still allow them to be able to dig within the space- something foxes love to do!

I can't wait to see the twelve foxes released from their cages THIS WEEK, into their new home at the sanctuary and to share their arrival with you...They will know love and freedom, and that their life has value beyond monetary gain. It is only with the faith and support that generous people like you give Keepers of the Wild that make rescues like the Fox families possible.

Each time you read this newsletter, share our social media, visit the sanctuary, shop in our online gift shop, and donate to our cause, you help save the life of an animal, and I can't thank you enough.

Updates on the foxes to follow soon!

With much gratitude,

Lara Kraft

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Nov 27, 2023
Giving Tuesday Is Here!

By Lara Kraft | Vice President, Chairwoman

The MN fur farm our Fox family is coming from.

To our generous Friends & Supporters:

Here's your opportunity to GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE...

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday (11/28)- the world's largest day of online giving geared toward supporting vetted nonprofits, and Keepers of the Wild is participating!

With several important projects like the family of SIX FOXES rescued from a fur farm due to arrive at the sanctuary in early December, every dollar raised goes directly to the care of our current rescued residents, as well as helps support future rescues.

Earlier this month, I was contacted by the organization SAVEAFOX, whose team inquired about our sanctuary's ability to take in some foxes being rescued from a fur farm in Minnesota. A staggering 500 foxes were relinquished from the fur farm and are in desperate need of a forever home, safe from the clutches of humans who have no regard for the life of these beautiful, sentient creatures. I couldn't say "yes" to helping fast enough!

Foxes have always been one of my favorite animals and I feel incredibly passionate about ending the cruel and unnecessary practice of fur farming. What is a fur farm? Animals residing on fur farms endure a life of hell. Bred and kept in small, cramped wire cages without freedom of movement or the ability to comfortably rest, the animals are nothing short of prisoners awaiting their fate.

When the time finally comes for them to be killed for their pelt, unethical and extremely cruel methods of destruction are used, from gassing to clubbing and worse, which I won't mention here. Much of the time, the animals are witness to their fellow farm-mates’ violent and inhumane endings. Like humans, animals do experience trauma, and I can think of few scenarios more traumatic than enduring such a barbaric experience.

It is estimated by the Humane Society International that nearly 43 MILLION animals were killed in 2021 for use in the global fur trade. The United States is responsible for approximately 2.5 million of those animals. This statistic, to me, is made worse by the fact that faux fur is considerably less expensive to produce than real animal pelts. Sadly, real fur is still considered a luxury item by many, including Hollywood elite who help keep luxury fashion labels in the business of purchasing pelts.

As we become more educated about animal welfare, I believe we have a moral responsibility to use our gained knowledge to do better in protecting and valuing our animal friends. It is time to put an end to the senseless, greedy, and cruel practice of breeding and killing innocent animals for their fur. I'm asking you to please help me spread awareness of this subject.

In response to the call from SAVEAFOX, Keepers of the Wild will be welcoming a family of six foxes from the fur farm in Minnesota. The Fox family consists of the parents and their four kits (babies) who were born earlier this year. We are giving a very special thanks to the sanctuary's exceptionally generous supporters who sponsored a beautiful, brand-new hillside habitat for the Fox family!

The habitat is designed to encourage all the natural behaviors of foxes: running, pouncing, foraging, climbing, and yes, even digging! With a special underground barrier, the new fox habitat prevents the animals from being able to dig out while still offering them the ability to dig within the space—something foxes love to do!

I can't wait to see the Fox family released from their cages into their new home at the sanctuary and to share their arrival with you. They will finally know love and freedom, and that their life has value beyond monetary gain or someone’s fashion statement.

It is only with the faith and support that generous people like you give Keepers of the Wild that make rescues like the Fox family possible. Each time you read this newsletter, share our social media, visit the sanctuary, shop in our online gift shop, and donate to our cause, you help save the life of an animal, and I can't thank you enough.

On behalf of the animals and staff at Keepers of the Wild, I extend to you our deep sense of gratitude for all that you do to help us continue our mission each year.

MN fur farm

Rescued foxes from fur farms. Courtesy of SAVEAFOX

Rescued fox from a fur farm. Courtesy of SAVEAFOX

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Sep 26, 2023
6 New Animal Residents!

By Lara Kraft | Vice President, Chairwoman

Tiger Sisters Eva & Juanita

Dear Friends and Supporters,

In our last newsletter, I shared with you our plans to take in four bears and two tigers from Florida, in May. Plans changed a little bit and we instead took in three black bears and three tigers- a total of six new animal residents! The animals came from a sanctuary in southern Florida that is now focusing on its wildlife rehabilitation program, which led the owners to rehome some of their larger and exotic animals. Keepers of the Wild was happy to take in the animals when the Florida sanctuary called to ask if we could give them a true forever home with top care.

The three black bears are named Elizabeth, Cody, and Oatmeal. They each have distinctive personalities and share a large habitat together that includes trees to climb (and boy do they climb!), space to forage and roam, hammocks to relax in, and a giant natural swimming pool to freshen up and play in. All three have adapted well to their new life in Arizona, and we are looking forward to having them with us for years to come.

Tiger sisters Juanita, Eva, and Natasha have also settled in very well. Juanita and Eva share a habitat and can often be found snuggling together- such a joy to watch! Natasha took a little longer to feel comfortable but now she is thriving in her new environment. All three girls love to lounge in their hammocks and prowl their territories. Eva is the most vocal and affectionate- she is always happy to see her caretakers and gives a cheerful chuff of greetings!

It is because of the unwavering faith that you, our Friends, have in what we do, and your continued generosity, that Keepers of the Wild is able to take in animals like Elizabeth, Cody, Oatmeal, Juanita, Eva, and Natasha when the call comes. It is because of YOU that we are able to give innocent animals in need, a life filled with care, commitment, and compassion. While not all of the animals we take in come from horrific conditions, there are still animals like the six that just arrived, that equally need a forever home and people to protect them. We're honored to be those people and we are grateful to have you, our supporters, by our side.

With much gratitude,

Lara Kraft

Eva

Black bear Oatmeal, "dancing" in his den area.

Cody

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