Coyotes rescued from deplorable captive environment

 

A coyote glances over her shoulder. This animal was rescued from brutal conditions at a fur farm.

This was one of 128 coyotes rescued from an Ashtabula County, Ohio fur farm in late January. Also found at this animal hellscape, called the Grand River Fur Exchange, were 124 red foxes, 88 skunks, 52 "wolves" (wolf hybrids) and lesser numbers of several other species. They were being mined for various musks and urines (used in hunting, as repellents in gardens, and probably other purposes), for furs, and for sales to captive breeders. The coyotes and many others were in cages hardly big enough to turn around in, and often not enough room to stand upright. Numerous dead animals were found during the raid, including a gray fox (listed as a Species of Concern by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Gray fox has declined significantly in recent decades). This was animal cruelty in the extreme. No animal deserves such treatment, and similar operations need ferreted out and shut down. I have heard that many others exist within Ohio.

Fortunately, there are people like Gwen Hoogendoorn, who organized the rescue mission on the heels of law enforcement raiding and shutting down this monstrous operation. She also (with permits, of course) took four of the coyotes to much more capacious housing. I was able to visit these four coyotes the other day and admire the tough survivors. Thanks Gwen and everyone else involved in this rescue operation. There were numerous partners, and I don't know who they all are. Or I'd list them all. But the operation was originally spurred by the Humane Society of the United States, who were tipped to the conditions at the operation. Gwen was tapped for her leadership due to her logistical and organizational abilities, and widespread contacts within the wildlife rehabilitation community. The Ohio Wildlife Center played a role, as did Nature's Nursery and many other individuals and organizations.