The Humane Society of the United States, Ohio authorities, and multiple wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries completed a rescue operation of hundreds of animals from a fur and urine farm near Cleveland, Ohio.
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The rescue operation
- The Ashtabula County Commissioner’s Office requested the assistance of the Humane Society of the United States after the owner of Grand River Fur Exchange died in late December 2024, escalating an already-dire animal welfare crisis on the property.
- For several weeks, responders from the Humane Society of the United States and Ohio authorities provided daily care to the animals on the property while assisting with arranging placement for the animals with licensed wildlife rehabilitators and accredited sanctuaries around the country.
- Ultimately, more than 330 animals from the property were able to be placed with wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries (listed below). Tragically, the only way to help other animals on the property was to humanely end their suffering through euthanasia; some had severe injuries and illness, and others simply had no safe place to go.
Conditions 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 conditions. Wild boars were also found contained on the property.
- Some of the animals had missing toes, ears, tails and limbs. Veterinarians determined that animals likely lost toes due to the cages’ wire flooring, while the animals missing limbs and paws had likely been caught in steel-jaw leghold traps found around the property.
- Many were emaciated and severely dehydrated, and several animals were found deceased and covered in snow.
Background on this facility
- The animals were being raised and slaughtered for fur, bred for sale as exotic pets, and held captive for urine farming. Some of the animals were bred in captivity while others were apparently imprisoned on the property after being trapped in excruciatingly painful leghold traps.
- Documents found on the property indicate the owner sold pelts to Fur Harvesters Auction, the last remaining fur auction house in North America. Pelts sold at Fur Harvesters Auction are exported globally and used for home decor and fashion products, such as fur-pom hats and trim on gloves or shoes.
Background on fur/urine farming
- Predator urine is advertised for use in hunting, trapping, dog training, and ironically, as a “humane” wild animal deterrent for gardeners.
Animals in the fur trade suffer immensely, both in their daily lives and when they are killed, often with methods like gassing, anal electrocution or clubbing, which result in slow, painful deaths and are commonly used on fur farms because they prevent damage to the pelt. Responders found electrocution tools on the property.


Where are the animals now?
The animals are in the care of licensed wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries. Some of these animals are in temporary care while permanent placement arrangements are made.
Licensed wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries involved in providing temporary or permanent placement and/or transportation of the rescued animals include:
- Ohio Wildlife Center
- Wolfwood Refuge
- Lockwood Animal Rescue Center
- Walking Wild Rescue
- Nature’s Nursery
- BEARS Etc.
- WEST Wildlife Rehab
- Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary
- Crows Hollow Wildlife Care
- Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation
- Clover Field Wildlife Care
- Indiana Coyote Rescue Center
- Brukner Nature Center
- Red Riding Hood Rescue Project
- Dr. Dolittles Wildlife Center
I read 250 animals were placed, now I’m seeing 330. Why is that?
The original press release was written in the final days of the rescue operation based on the current count of animals placed, which at the time was ‘over 250.’ Once we were able to get a full count at the conclusion of the rescue operation, we were pleased to confirm that over 330 animals were placed with sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitators.
How is the HSUS supporting the care of these animals?
The HSUS continuing to help the animals rescued from this situation by offering the organizations involved funding for veterinary care, transportation reimbursement, and other supplies and support. Additionally, the HSUS is continuing to assist with placement arrangements for the animals who are in temporary placement locations currently.
Are any of these animals available for adoption?
No, these are wild animals so they cannot be adopted to the public. They can only be placed with licensed wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries.
Why can’t the animals be released into the wild?
Releasing animals unaccustomed to living in wild environments would have been inhumane, unsafe and potentially damaging to local ecosystems.
Was this operation legal?
Our responders witnessed numerous violations of animal cruelty law which covers all animals in Ohio, including those living on fur farms. That said, 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 related to care on 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.