HOUSTON – Hundreds of animals rescued from a fur and urine farm in Ohio are now finding new homes in Texas, with more on the way. Bears Etc. in Huntsville has already moved nearly 30 animals to a rescue near San Antonio.
Kati Krouse, founder of Bears Etc., is now busy preparing for the arrivals of foxes at her rescue.
“These holes will support a new home for four foxes rescued from a fur and urine farm near Cleveland, Ohio,” Krouse said.
Krouse made a trip up to Ohio earlier this year to transport animals back to Texas. She plans to make a trip in the coming weeks to re-locate more animals.
The fur farm’s owner passed away in December 2024, worsening an already dire situation, according to Humane World for Animals.
The organization reports foxes, raccoons, wolf-dog hybrids, skunks, opossums, and coyotes were living in filthy wire-bottom cages with little to no protection. Some animals were missing toes, ears, tails, and limbs, while many were emaciated and severely dehydrated. Responders found some animals dead and covered in snow, and one coyote was found dying, caught in a leghold trap.
In total, 410 animals were rescued, more than 300 are still alive, according to Kelly Donithan of Humane World for Animals.
“We obviously had to make some humane decisions for animals on site. There were quite a few suffering deeply,” Donithan said.
Krouse described the conditions as one of the most horrifying things she has ever seen in her 30 years of rescue work.
“There are no words that can describe the hell that these animals were living in. They lived their entire lives in cages meant for rabbits,” she said, visibly emotional.
A volunteer from Bears Etc., a U.S. veteran, also expressed his shock at the conditions.
“Having served many years overseas in the Middle East, not a lot is shocking to me. But to see the condition those animals were subjected to was on the higher side of the shocking scale,” he said.
Animals at the farm were raised and slaughtered for fur, sold as exotic pets, and used for urine farming. Krouse criticized the practices, stating, “Even though it says it’s humanely collected, USDA standards are not enough for most animals.”
There are no federal regulations for animal welfare on fur farms, and this particular farm was licensed by Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources despite past fines. Ohio lacks laws for fur farms, unlike New York, which has passed legislation to protect animals.
When asked if anyone would face charges in this case, Donithan responded, “No. While he was a pretty lone operator, he did have one employee who worked under his authority. We are hoping to see some regulation change.”
Humane World for Animals urges the public to help by donating to rescues, contacting lawmakers, and avoiding products from these farms. Bears Etc. is ready to return to Ohio for the foxes once they receive the green light from Texas Parks and Wildlife.
