Hundreds of wild animals rescued from a ‘fur and urine farm’ in Ohio

Earlier this year, the Ashtabula County Commissioner’s Office called in the Humane Society of the United States (now Humane World for Animals) to rescue hundreds of wild animals living in horrific conditions on a “fur and urine farm” near Cleveland, Ohio.

The owner of Grand River Fur Exchange died in December 2024, making the conditions for the animals on-site even more disturbing by the time the rescue team arrived.

The animals kept on the property included “foxes, raccoons, wolf-dog hybrids, skunks, opossums and coyotes,” many of whom were found in poor health, according to a press release from the organization.

The conditions were so dire that the organization’s vice president, Adam Parascandola, said it stood out as one of the worst they had had to deal with.

“This is one of the most horrific situations I have ever seen — the terror and pain was palpable,” Parascandola said in the press release. “Our team is exposed to immense cruelty in the criminal cases we regularly respond to like dogfighting and severe neglect, yet this stands out both in terms of suffering and because of these fur farming practices. It’s haunting.”

The animals were reportedly kept in wire-bottom cages outside in freezing temperatures, with many of them presenting with “missing toes, ears, tails and limbs,” per the release.

The vets who examined the animals said the missing toes may have been as a result of getting caught in the cages’ bottoms, while the missing limbs may have been caught in traps found around the place.

The animals were kept on the property for three lucrative reasons: their fur, their urine and as exotic pets for sale.

Urine farming is big business, as it’s sold as a fertilizer or animal deterrent (where pests would be put off by the smell of a predator’s urine).

Once the animals were discovered, members of the Humane Society of the United States team spent weeks caring for them directly on the property.

Along with local law enforcement, they helped place the animals with licensed wildlife rehabilitators and sanctuaries. Over 300 animals were successfully saved in total, though tragically others who were severely ill or injured had to be euthanized.

By January 25, the last of the animals were removed from the farm.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the HSUS for stepping in to assist our county with this animal welfare case,” said Ashtabula County Commissioner Casey Kozlowski. “The situation arose right around Christmas, during some of the worst possible weather conditions, and we simply didn’t have the local resources to manage it effectively or ensure the animals were cared for humanely.”

Commissioner Kozlowski continued, “My hope is that, as a result of this situation, we can implement greater safeguards at the state level to promote and ensure the humane treatment of animals in the future.”

This article by Iris Goldsztajn was first published by knewz on 26 November 2025. Lead Image: Rescuers worked for weeks caring for the animals. (Meredith Lee/Humane World for Animals).