HOUSTON – Nearly three months after we reported that dozens of neglected wildlife were coming to Texas from Ohio, some of the animals have finally arrived at their new home in Huntsville.
In May, KPRC 2’s Zachery Lashway spoke with the founder of Bears Etc. in Huntsville, a bear-centric sanctuary that provides a permanent, community-based, self-sustainable refuge for displaced exotic and wild animals.
Kati Krouse, the founder, spent months preparing for the arrival of the animals that were rescued from a fur and urine farm in Cleveland, Ohio, after the farm’s owner passed away in December 2024, worsening an already dire situation, according to Humane World for Animals.
The animals rescued are foxes, raccoons, wolf-dog hybrids, skunks, opossums, and coyotes who 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, according to Kelly Donithan of Humane World for Animals. Dozens were sent to San Antonio while four came to the Houston area.
Krouse described the conditions in Ohio 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.
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.”
