Pawsitive Beginnings

Did you know that fur farming is still active in the United States? 

Roughly 300 fur farms are still in operation today in the U.S. While fur is dying industry, it is still alive and well here. 

Although some fur farms are governed by the USDA, and some fly under the radar, standard practice of care for these animals is practically non-existent. 

Foxes are confined to small wire cages suspended off of the ground. They never get the opportunity to run or play or even touch the ground. 

They way they live is just as awful as the way they die on these farms. All for the sake of "fashion".

WHAT WE DO

We provide a safe and happy home to the foxes we take in that have been saved from fur farms. 

Occasionally, fur farmers will choose to surrender fox that are deemed undesirable or “rejects” due to inadequate fur quality or deformities that are obtained at their time on the fur farm. 

Pawsitive Beginnings works closely with organizations in parts of the country where fur farming takes place and if there is a need for a fox to find permanent placement, we will help where we can. If we are unable to take in a fox, we network with other rescues and sanctuaries to ensure that animal will end up in the care of a qualified individual(s).

We have never, nor would ever, pay for the release of a fox from a fur farm, as that only perpetuates the farm to continue operating. 

We are often asked why these foxes cannot be released into the wild once they have been saved from a fur farm. 

These fox, although considered wild animals, have never been wild. They are roughly 80-100 generations removed from any wild fox and therefore do not have the basic skills it would take to survive in the wild. Many of the fur colors you see are man-made, meaning they have been bred and cross bred to create colors for fashion. 

Many of these fox also have genetic defects and disease that could pose a serious threat to wild populations of fox if they somehow did survive in the wild. Due to these genetic differences, often times these fox have health issues that require ongoing medical care that can only be given by a qualified veterinarian.

Lastly, it is illegal in the United States to introduce an invasive species, which is sadly what these fur farm fox are considered due to their poor breeding backgrounds. 

Pawsitive Beginnings is proud to be the only non-profit fox sanctuary in the Florida Keys.

Here at Pawsitive Beginnings, our mission is to provide a safe and permanent home to foxes that have been saved from the fur trade. 

We offer crucial animal-assisted therapy to at-risk youth and adults experiencing intense trauma. 

And we impact change through compassion by educating the public on fur farming, and how, as individuals, we can help make fur history. 

Pawsitive Beginnings is a Charity participating in the NASCAR Day Giveathon 2024 a Giving Day event, presented by The NASCAR Foundation.