Animal Activist Who Dedicated Her Life to Rescue Passes Away After Enduring Harsh Online Attacks

Mikayla Raines, a beloved YouTube star and animal rescue activist, tragically passed away at just 29 years old, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to saving voiceless animals and a community of grieving supporters. 

Known for her selflessness and compassion, Mikayla spent her life rescuing foxes and other exotic animals, creating one of the largest fox rescue organizations in the U.S., Save A Fox.

But despite her success and growing platform, Mikayla’s story took a dark turn as she became a target of cruel online bullying, which ultimately led her to take her own life.

Mikayla Raines’s passion for animals started at an early age. At just 15, she volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitation center, and by the time she was in her twenties, she had founded Save A Fox, an organization that would go on to rescue hundreds of foxes from the cruelty of fur farms.

Save A Fox, with locations in Minnesota and Florida, quickly grew into a beacon of hope for injured and discarded animals, particularly foxes, lemurs, and raccoons.

Her YouTube channel, where she shared videos of these animals, garnered millions of views and a massive following, attracting 2.4 million subscribers and 558,000 followers on Instagram.

Mikayla’s mission was never about fame or fortune. According to her husband, Ethan Raines, Mikayla was never in it for the money or personal gain.

“She was truly the most selfless person I have ever known,” Ethan shared in a heartfelt Instagram video confirming her death. Mikayla’s life was entirely dedicated to animals—saving them, rehabilitating them, and giving them a chance at a life they would never have had otherwise.

Despite her incredible success in building Save A Fox, Mikayla’s personal struggles were less visible to her followers.

Behind the scenes, Mikayla battled with severe mental health issues, including autism, borderline personality disorder, and depression. She had been in and out of therapy for years, and although she tried various treatments, the pain she felt was overwhelming.

The cruelty she faced from online trolls and detractors made it even worse. Despite her sensitivity and profound empathy for the animals she cared for, Mikayla was deeply affected by the harsh and false rumors that spread about her.

"She took everything to heart," Ethan explained, emphasizing that Mikayla’s deep emotional sensitivity, which made her such an exceptional caregiver, also left her vulnerable to attacks from the online community.

As an online personality, Mikayla had her share of support, but she also faced an onslaught of negativity. The online bullying, fueled by unfounded rumors and hateful comments, took a serious toll on Mikayla.

While she continued to focus on her mission and shared her love for animals with her audience, the constant barrage of negativity was eating away at her mental health. Ethan shared that Mikayla felt as though the world had turned against her, despite her selfless efforts to do good.

On June 22, just one day before her tragic passing, Mikayla shared an Instagram post interacting with a lemur, displaying her characteristic joy and humor.

Her followers had no indication that anything was wrong, and the post left no hint that her struggles with online cruelty had become unbearable.

That same evening, Mikayla took her life, and Ethan, devastated and in shock, performed CPR for 15 minutes before first responders arrived. Despite their efforts, Mikayla could not be saved.

The world had lost a passionate, dedicated soul whose life had been centered around giving a voice to the voiceless.

Mikayla’s passing has left a void in the animal rescue community, but her husband Ethan is determined to carry on her work. In his emotional tribute, he vowed to continue her legacy and ensure that Save A Fox’s mission would not stop.

“I will continue her dream,” Ethan said, promising to keep the organization running in Mikayla’s honor and asking for the support of the animal-loving community to do so.

In addition to her legacy of rescuing animals, Mikayla leaves behind a young daughter, Freya, who is also grieving the loss of her mother.

The tragedy of Mikayla’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fellow animal rescue organizations and animal lovers alike.

The Juniper Wildlife Refuge, another organization that benefited from Mikayla’s dedication to saving foxes, wrote a heartfelt message: “So many in our community have foxes that only came to us because of Mikayla’s dedication to her mission and empathy toward animals… We will all carry a small piece of her light that lives on through them.”

Mikayla’s death has brought to light the dark side of internet fame, where even the most selfless and well-intentioned individuals can fall victim to online abuse.

Her story serves as a tragic reminder of how the cruelty of others can affect those already struggling with mental health issues. 

In Mikayla’s case, her sensitivity to the world around her—the very quality that made her such a compassionate and effective activist—ultimately led to her undoing.

The internet, which had once embraced her passion for animal rescue, had now turned against her, leaving Mikayla to face an overwhelming amount of cruelty in a world that should have been her refuge.

Mikayla Raines’s death has highlighted the importance of creating a supportive, kind online environment, where individuals who share their passions and struggles are uplifted rather than torn down.

It also underscores the need for mental health support and awareness, particularly for those who live under the constant scrutiny of social media. Mikayla’s death could have been prevented had she received the empathy and support that she gave so generously to others.

In the wake of this tragedy, Mikayla’s supporters, friends, and family are rallying to continue her work. Ethan’s message to the public is clear: "Please, let’s continue to honor Mikayla’s work, and let’s do so with kindness and respect for everyone.

We owe it to her legacy to keep fighting for the animals she loved and continue to share the joy and light she brought to this world."

Mikayla Raines may no longer be with us, but her impact will not be forgotten. The animals she saved, the lives she touched, and the mission she dedicated herself to will continue through those who carry her torch.

Mikayla’s story is a call for change—a reminder that kindness and compassion must extend not only to animals but also to the people behind the screen who, just like Mikayla, deserve love, respect, and support.

In conclusion, Mikayla Raines’s life and death shed light on the toxic nature of online bullying and the profound impact it can have on an individual’s mental health.

Mikayla dedicated her life to giving voiceless animals a second chance, and her tragic passing is a loss not just for the animal rescue community but for the world as a whole. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of animal activists, and her story is a powerful reminder that no one should have to face their struggles alone.