Hundreds Of Foxes, Raccoons, Wolf-Dogs, Skunks & Coyotes Rescued From Fur Farm In Ohio

Photos by: HSUS

This weekend, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Ohio authorities completed a rescue operation of hundreds of animals from a fur and urine farm near Cleveland, Ohio.

The Ashtabula County Commissioner’s Office requested the assistance of HSUS after the owner of Grand River Fur Exchange died in late December 2024, escalating an already-dire animal welfare crisis on the property.

Foxes, raccoons, wolf-dog hybrids, skunks, opossums, and coyotes were living in filthy wire-bottom cages with little to no protection from the frigid cold conditions. Some of the animals had missing toes, ears, tails, and limbs. Veterinarians determined that the animals likely lost their toes due to the cages’ wire flooring, while the animals missing limbs and paws had likely been caught in steel-jaw leg hold traps found around the property. Many were emaciated and severely dehydrated, and several animals were found deceased and covered in snow. When responders arrived on the property, they found a coyote dying slowly, caught in a leg hold trap.

The animals were being raised and slaughtered for their fur, bred for sale as exotic pets, and held captive for urine farming. Predator urine is used in hunting, trapping, dog training, and ironically, as a “humane” wild animal deterrent for gardeners. Some of the animals were bred in captivity while others were apparently imprisoned on the property after being trapped in excruciatingly painful leg hold traps.

“This is one of the most horrific situations I have ever seen—the terror and pain was palpable,” said Adam Parascandola, vice president of HSUS’ Animal Rescue Team. “Our team is exposed to immense cruelty in the criminal cases we regularly respond to, like dogfighting and severe neglect, yet this stands out both in terms of suffering and because of these fur farming practices. It’s haunting.”

Animals in the fur trade suffer immensely, both in their daily lives and when they are killed. They are often killed using methods like gassing, anal electrocution, or clubbing, which result in slow, painful deaths. These methods are commonly used on fur farms to prevent damage to the pelt. Responders found electrocution tools on the property.

In the U.S., there are no federal regulations related to the welfare, care, or slaughter of animals farmed for their fur. While Grand River Fur Exchange was licensed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio does not have laws or standards of care for fur farms or slaughter. In fact, New York’s ban on anal and genital electrocution of foxes is the only state-level law on fur farm welfare.

“Ohio must end the suffering of wild animals being farmed for fur or urine, or to be sold as pets. These inherently exploitative industries profit from animal cruelty and are radically out of step with the values of our state,” said Mark Finneran, Ohio state director for HSUS. “While I’m proud of the efforts made to help the animals on this farm, we can never allow this horrific treatment of animals to happen in Ohio again.”

For several weeks, responders from HSUS dedicated themselves to the daily care of animals on the property. They worked alongside Ohio authorities to facilitate the placement of these animals with licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers and accredited sanctuaries across the country. The rescue operation reached its conclusion on January 25th, with the removal of the final groups of animals from the site.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the HSUS for stepping in to assist our county with this animal welfare case. The situation arose right around Christmas, during some of the worst possible weather conditions, and we simply didn’t have the local resources to manage it effectively or ensure the animals were cared for humanely,” said Casey Kozlowski, Ashtabula County Commissioner. “Their significant logistical support, along with the efforts of our county humane agents and the ODNR Wildlife Division, made all the difference. I can’t thank them enough for their collaboration. My hope is that, as a result of this situation, we can implement greater safeguards at the state level to promote and ensure the humane treatment of animals in the future.”

While fur farms fly under the radar of state and federal oversight, this case serves as a disturbing example of an operator subject to federal inspection slipping through the cracks. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for licensing and inspecting operations that breed wild animals to be sold as pets, such as the wolf-hybrids and skunks bred for sale as pets by Grand River Fur Exchange. In 2011, the USDA fined and prohibited the operator from engaging in the breeding and sale of wild animals, yet they continued to engage in those practices, apparently without further enforcement.

“Humane Society International has investigated fur farms around the globe, and animal suffering and filth like we saw on this property are constants,” said PJ Smith, director of fashion policy for HSUS. “The U.S. fur trade has long operated in the shadows with zero oversight, and it’s very rare to see inside a U.S. fur farm, let alone be able to rescue the animals. You simply can’t put wild animals in a cage for their entire lives and expect anything but a nightmare, and this fur farm is just another example of what the declining fur trade doesn’t want you to see.”

Documents found on the property indicate the owner sold pelts to Fur Harvesters Auction, the last remaining fur auction house in North America. Fur from the auction is sold globally and is used for home decor and fashion products, such as fur-pom hats and trim on gloves or shoes.

Due to the dire circumstances on the property, including severe injuries and illness, some of the animals were humanely euthanized during the course of the rescue operation. Ultimately, more than 250 animals rescued from the property were successfully placed with wildlife rehabilitators and in sanctuaries.