Pawsitive Beginnings celebrates five years of rescuing foxes from the fur trade
The Florida-based nonprofit organisation has worked to draw attention to foxes rejected by the fashion industry and encourages the public to become "fur free".
Pawsitive Beginnings, a nonprofit organisation that provides a safe and nurturing permanent home for foxes rescued from the fur trade, is celebrating its five-year anniversary in March with a call for donations to update and improve the housing where the group keeps the foxes it has in its care.
"In some cases, farmers choose to surrender foxes deemed undesirable due to deformities or other perceived inadequacies," said Nicole Navarro, Founder of Pawsitive Beginnings. "We collaborate with organisations in regions where fur farming is prevalent and offer placement assistance for foxes in need. If we are unable to provide direct sanctuary, we actively network with reputable rescues to ensure each fox is placed in the hands of a qualified caregiver."
Pawsitive Beginnings goes beyond rescuing foxes from the fur trade—it provides a transformative animal-assisted therapy program. Through this unique initiative, therapists and counsellors share the inspiring survival stories of these rescued foxes to bring hope and healing to trauma survivors in the Florida Keys.
"Having overcome immense hardship, these foxes embody resilience, serving as powerful symbols of strength and perseverance,"Â Navarro said. "Their journey offers a source of comfort and inspiration, helping those facing their own struggles find the courage to heal. We believe that, regardless of the species, recovery is possible for everyone."
Navarro said foxes who have lived in captivity and who have been bred for their fur cannot be released back into the wild because they are several generations removed from their wild counterparts and lack the necessary survival skills to fend for themselves. Many also have been bred for distinctive colouring, making them more visible to predators.
She added that it is against the law to introduce non-native species into the wild, and because these foxes come from farms, they are classified as non-native and cannot legally be released into the environment.
"That's where we come in," she said. "At Pawsitive Beginnings, we are committed to providing these foxes with a safe, loving and permanent home. We work with a team of veterinarians to address their medical needs and see to it that they are well cared for."
Navarro got her start in 2018 while volunteering at the Monroe County (Florida) Sheriff's Office Animal Farm in Key West, Florida. After the group took in two rescued foxes, she recognised the urgent need for dedicated fox sanctuaries. She founded Pawsitive Beginnings, Inc. in March 2020 to meet that need.
Navarro said she hopes to raise money to upgrade the fox enclosures to the black, rubber-coated wire because it lasts longer, is more comfortable to the animals, and does not rust in the salty Florida atmosphere. She is also working to expand the animal-assisted therapy program in the region.
Pawsitive Beginnings has received a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar.org and is rated a top nonprofit by Great Non-Profits. To donate to the fox rescue group, visit https://pawsitivebeginnings.org/ways-to-donate. They also have an Amazon Wish List they update regularly.
About Pawsitive Beginnings, Inc.
Founded in 2020, Pawsitive Beginnings, Inc. is a nonprofit organisation that provides a safe and nurturing permanent home for foxes rescued from the fur trade. The organisation provides placement assistance for foxes in regions where fur farming is prevalent. Pawsitive Beginnings offers crucial animal-assisted therapy to at-risk youth and adult foxes recovering from trauma. Additionally, we strive to create change through compassion by educating the public about fur farming and works to end the fur industry.
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