Mink Wear it Best

01/11/2023

01/11/2023

Pandora says it's minky Monday again already❤️
Ask us all your minky questions today!

01/11/2023

01/11/2023

Happy ! It’s starting to cool off, but Calliope, our mink ambassador, is enjoying playtime in her pond just as much as in the summer!

American mink have dense, waterproof fur coats that help keep them dry and when swimming, and also help protect them against extremes of heat and cold. Their coats are part of the reason for their widespread success living in different types of habitats across North America. Unfortunately, these perfect coats also put them in danger, making them frequent targets for hunters, trappers, and commercial fur farms.

We think mink fur looks best when it’s on a live, happy mink! Don’t you agree?

01/11/2023

01/11/2023

Happy from Calliope, who has been especially spicy and pointy lately! Anyone who works with wildlife knows about the “October crazies.” Calliope has been meeting the crazies head-on and with full, blood-drawing force. We love her anyway.

Most North American carnivorans —a class of mammals that includes bears, dogs, cats, skunks, and weasels, among others— naturally leave their mothers in September or October. The “crazies” this time of year occur when the reduction in the number of daylight hours and the decrease in temperature trigger an overwhelming instinct to set out and find their own territories.

In the wild, animals would leave their mothers at this stage of development, if not sooner. The cuddly, babyish affection that they would have previously had for their mothers and siblings would be traded for hormonal rage and a strong drive for independence, something that parents of human teenagers have also witnessed!

Unfortunately for nonreleasable wildlife, these hormonal and behavioral changes can be stressful to the animals and their handlers because they have the same instincts as their wild cousins, but don’t actually have the ability to fend for themselves. Wildlife sanctuaries and rehabilitation facilities see a very shap increase in calls this time of year from exotic pet owners whose formerly docile raccoons and foxes have “gone crazy.”

Despite what exotic pet dealers often claim, there is no reliable way to prevent the seasonal madness, other than the fact that some very lucky people end up with exotic animals who don’t have strong dispersal instincts. No amount of training or “love” can erase hardwired instinct, and spaying and neutering have little effect on this behavior since it is triggered by a multitude of hormones, not just reproductive ones.

We love Calliope very much and she will get the very best care even when she’s feeling pointy and sassy, but we hope that when you’re considering an exotic pet (or ESPECIALLY if you want to keep an animal you found in the wild) you will be aware of the fact that even wild animals hand-raised from birth have instincts that can make them unsuitable as house pets.

01/11/2023

🍁🍂 It's officially fall 🍂🍁 Atlas is soaking up the last of the flowers and warm weather before he needs to get out his winter wardrobe!

As the days get shorter this time of year and we experience less and less daylight hours, hormonal changes start to occur in many mammals, that trigger the hair growth of their “winter coats”.

Fur is made of two kinds of hair: guard hairs and underfur. The underfur is what grows thicker during these next few fall months, in anticipation for the cold of winter. Underfur works as an insulator by trapping air against the animal’s body, which then gets warmed by the animal’s body heat, and creates an insulating layer to protect the animal from frigid air outside. Guard hairs are long and glossy and lay over the shorter, downier underfur. Guard hairs are oily, which helps waterproof the animal’s coat by blocking moisture and keeping the underfur dry. This is especially important in mink and other aquatic mammals because they need this type of waterproofing all year long. A mink’s underfur is very dense for this reason and it also aids in buoyancy while swimming and diving.

In North America, the length and thickness of an animal’s fur is greatest sometime between November and March. Then in spring, when the days start getting longer again and temperatures start rising, the animals will then shed or “blow” their undercoats because keeping it would most likely lead to overheating, which can be just as dangerous as freezing.

What is your favorite season or time of year? Let us know in the comments!

01/11/2023

01/11/2023

🐾Time to make the post that is likely to make some people a little uncomfortable, but please read it all the way to the end before making up your minds.

Rocky Mountain Mink Refuge, Mustelid Madness Rescue, The Domestic Mink and our contacts on the ground have been given permission from the mink farmer in PA, to help those mink still out there. We are allowed to trap them, get medical assistance, transport and place them in safe placements.❤️‍🩹

People don't want to think about the fur farmers as just another human being, often born and raised for generations in what they do and how it has provided for their families. They are not at fault. People never want to think a little further and realize that instead of blaming the farmer, the demand of those products are to blame. If there is no demand, the industry would cease. These are human beings like you and me, and aside from the horror stories spread online, not ALL farmers are bad. Some are honestly good people, who do provide the animals on their farm the best that they can by regulations, they are people who put food and other support back into their community. Like any industry in this world, it has good people, bad people and the utterly ugly. Even the farmers know and admit this. But it isn't appropriate to judge everyone the same.

This farmer doesn't want the mink to suffer the awful deaths and starvation they are facing outside of the farm. Where their death would have been much faster, and with less pain by gassing. Instead people in PA are shooting for fun, purposely running them over on the roads, etc. There are people showing sides MUCH UGLIER and LESS HUMANE than even some of the worst farmers.

We have been privileged to be part of or have connections with people who have managed true change, by being civil with fur farmers instead of harassing them or vandalizing their properties. One fur farmer who later met a mink bought from him as a kit and raised, was so enthralled by the personality he saw, that he completely phased out of fur farming. Another when deciding it is time to stop, reached out to a rescue to give them the chance to take the animals (Mikayla Raines of SAF is working on the mission of 500 foxes RIGHT NOW!).🦊 By having a good, civil relationship, more lives can actually be saved.

So while our rescue does not agree with the act of fur farming and never will, we will also NEVER dox or harass the farmers, we do not support nor condone any illegal actions or crimes committed against them. There are right ways of saving and wrong ways, and mass releases such as this one by ALF supporters trying to hurt the farmer without really caring about what happens to the animals, is definitely the wrong way.

⚠️⚠️Please contact us if you need help regarding the mink in PA. If you would like to help with transport in the area, or otherwise, please let us know. Donations are also needed to help pay for gas, and medical for any capture that may need it. Please mention in note if it is designated for the "PA Minks"! Donations to our nonprofit are fully tax-deductible!

And if anyone knows who did this despicable release, please let the authorities know. They deserve to face criminal and animal cruelty charges.⚠️⚠️

💸Venmo:
💳PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rescuemink
💵Zelle: 385-208-6934
🪙CashApp: $minkrescue

01/11/2023

🐾Happy Friday from Malin the Minky!🦦🦦🦦

Malin has had a really rough start in life, she is missing half of her tail and her ears also appear to have suffered some mutilation. We cannot say for sure what horrors she suffered before she ended up in our care and it has taken months to gain trust with her. It did not help that we were forced to make the choice earlier in the year to separate her two kits from her to save their lives and put them with our late surrogate minky mom, Annie.. but it worked out for the best as both young mink are now thriving in their permanent placements and Malin had settled back into her normal personality and behavior. We love this little lady for her strength and endurance, traits we enjoy seeing in her daughter, Scarlett over at Saveafox Corporation as well.

Malin knows that things are tough for everyone with the economy these days, but she would like to ask everyone to consider donating some towels to the rescue if they can't make a donation of funds. While we have towels on our Amazon Wishlists, we will happily accept any used towels that are still in good condition (no holes please). Donations of towels can be shipped to our shipping address or porch dropped off locally.

⛔️We still need about $600 for the mink vetting and transport planned for end of the month.🦦🐾 Huge thanks to everyone who has donated so fat, be it to this mission or the rescue in general for the purchase food, supplies or towards medical bills.💚💙🩵

Stardust & Silverblue, our rescue's jewelry brand will be taking a handful of orders for the holiday season as well to help raise funds. So if there is a bracelet, necklace or pair of earrings you'd like to get made, please send us a message to get put on the list.🛍💍

⚠️Please remember to comment (4 word minimum), like/react, and share our page and posts so that FB can give us bonus earnings for the rescue. The more we can reach, the more we are able to help.⚠️

All donations are tax-deductible!

💸Venmo:
💳PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rescuemink
💵Zelle: 385-208-6934
🪙CashApp: $minkrescue

Shipping Address:
Attn: Linda Maretich
Rocky Mountain Mink Refuge
2442 S Cottage Cove,
Saratoga Springs, UT 84045

01/11/2023

Professor Lysander here with another wisdom Wednesday! Nystagmus: I have it, what is it?
🔥Like, SHARE, and comment on this educational post & I will draw someone to win a sticker of their choice! Let's spread some wisdom, share it far and wide & get to at least 20 shares!

So... what on earth is it??
"Nystagmus is a condition that causes repetitive and involuntary eye movements and can affect either one or both of your eyes. This involuntary movement can have several forms, including up and down, side to side, or in a circular motion.

Nystagmus is caused by a miscommunication between the eye and the brain and affects the way our brains interpret movement signals from the eye. Nystagmus is typically caused by brain injuries and is a result of brain damage. This eye condition may be referred to as 'dancing eyes' because of the repetitive eye movement."

"Nystagmus can be divided into 2 main types, congenital nystagmus and acquired nystagmus.

INFANTILE OR CONGENITAL NYSTAGMUS SYNDROME (INS)
INS (a type of nystagmus usually diagnosed during infancy), is sometimes called 'early-onset nystagmus'. This type of nystagmus typically causes the eyes to move back and forth horizontally, much like a pendulum.

This form of nystagmus is typically mild and is not always caused by an underlying health condition. It does not always require treatment but some people choose to use corrective lenses or undergo corrective surgery. Though scientists are still not sure why exactly this form of nystagmus develops, this condition may be genetically linked to albinism."

⚠️Notes from Professor Lysander: I'm not an albino mink, but I do have dilute coat genetics and red eyes! It's possible that my Nystagmus is genetically linked, but I'm not sure!

"ACQUIRED OR ACUTE NYSTAGMUS
Acquired or acute nystagmus can be caused by injury or disease and can develop at any age. This form of nystagmus is typically linked to problems with the inner ear or brain.

Unlike INS nystagmus, this form of nystagmus is typically caused by an underlying condition such as a stroke, drug use, multiple sclerosis, or a head injury. Some forms of acquired nystagmus can be treated using medication or surgery."

"A variety of factors can cause nystagmus, and depending on the form can either be present from birth or can develop over time. Some of the causes of this eye condition may include:

• Genetic factors.
• Albinism.
• A head injury
• Brain inflammation, particularly if it occurs in regions responsible for eye movement.
• A stroke.
• Some medications, including seizure medication and sedatives.
• Excessive alcohol use.
• Problems or disorders associated with the inner ear or brain."

⚠️Notes from Professor Lysander: Given that I possibly have some type of past trauma to my ear and/or head (I'm missing my left ear) it's possible that my Nystagmus could be related to a head injury or inner ear issue!

⚠️Notes from Professor Lysander: my Nystagmus does not seem to be very severe and does not need any form of treatment. Though I am not as agile as my brother and sister, I am still able to climb and maintain my balance. Though it's possible I may have minor vision impairment, I can most definitely see where I'm going, hunt down my precious plush bunnies, and find my treats when they are tossed in the water.

⚠️Notes from Professor Lysander: the information for my Wisdom Wednesday on Nystagmus comes from Park Slop Eye, located in Brooklyn, NY. The information written within quotation marks was authored by Justin Bazan, published July 21, 2023. To continue reading the full article, please see the link to Park Slope Eye in the comments!

01/11/2023

🌞 Happy Self-Care Sunday, everyone! Today is all about nurturing your well-being. Here are three self-care tips to make your day brighter:

1. Start the day with a calming meditation session to set a positive tone.

2. Take a leisurely nature walk to recharge in the great outdoors.

3. Indulge in a favorite book or movie for a little mental escape.

What's your go-to self-care activity? Share in the comments! 🌿💖

01/11/2023

"Will you dare to boop my snoot? Try it and see... I'm hungry for fingers 🤤😋"

Emmy, probably 😅🤣

01/11/2023

Frostfang had the absolute best facial expressions. She always looked like she was super irritated (resting mink face), or she looked like she had an awesome secret she wasn't going to share!

01/11/2023

It's been just over a year since River the Mink was adopted and went to live at Rocky Mountain Mink Refuge! 💗🎉🐾

01/11/2023

Did you know? Bossy dragons are especially fond of the snow!

01/11/2023

Happy Halloween 🎃 Professor Lysander says stay safe out there everyone!!

01/11/2023

19/08/2023

Day dream. Chuck-American Mink and Khan (Jogoso) - Spanish Mastiff

02/08/2023

Who do you think would win a "cutest mink" contest? 🤔 I certainly think Lysander would have a strong chance of winning, but don't tell Smaug or Ember I said that!! 😬😅🤣

Lysander the Mink is sponsored by
Don & Erica Dawn Haney 🐾🦦
And
In memory of Carl the Ferret ☄️💗

30/07/2023

Obligate Carnivore... What does it mean? Professor Lysander has the answer!

Obligate carnivores are animals that require a completely meat/animal protein based diet. Obligate carnivores lack the anatomy and physiology to properly digest and utilize plant matter. A few examples of obligate carnivores are ferrets, felines, and mink. Here are some of the issues that obligate carnivores face if forced to consume a plant matter inclusive diet:

• They have no flat molars to properly crush plant matter- their teeth are instead designed for slicing through meat and appropriately sized bone.

• They have no salivary amylase to begin the process of breaking down and digesting starches- salivary amylase, or Ptyalin, is an enzyme found in saliva that breaks down the insoluble starch found in foods into smaller, soluble sugar fragments. Obligate carnivores lack this important enzyme and cannot efficiently digest starches because of it.

• Obligate carnivores also lack a cecum to aid in the absorption of plant based foods- the cecum is a developed organ seen in small herbivores like rabbits that aids in the absorption of plant food and aids in the retention of supplements. Because obligate carnivores lack this important component of the digestive system, again, they cannot properly or efficiently digest and utilize plant based foods.

• And finally, when fed a diet containing carbohydrates (plants contain carbohydrates), many obligate carnivores may develop medical issues as a result, such as insulinoma in ferrets or diabetes in cats. Plant based proteins in dry kibble may cause issues as well - though it's still being studied, there is a strong suspicion that pea protein is linked to increasing the risk of kidney & bladder stones in felines, ferrets, and other carnivores.

Obligate carnivores are clearly built to thrive on a diet of exclusively meat/prey- when we choose to have these animals in our lives, it's vital that we provide a species appropriate diet.

Professor Lysander is sponsored by
Don & Erica Dawn Haney 🐾💗
and
In loving memory of Carl the Ferret ☄️💗

Special thanks to Katt Rall , owner of Holistic Ferrets raw feeding educational group, for helping Lysander with his educational post!

Pictured are:
Tucker the Ferret ☄️🌌🌈
Lysander the Mink 🐾💗🦦
Nicolas the Angel Mink ☄️🌌🌈

02/07/2023

So, this has been a while coming, with all the other mink kits leaving the rescue to sanctuaries across the US to be educational ambassadors, this little guy has chosen us to stay with. Meet Luciën, he is one of Annie's kits, so in a way a piece of her will always be with us, both physically and in spirit.
Luce is continuing to grow, learn and develop. He will let our girls pet him, and will use myself and even John as a safety spot when spooked outside. - Linda Maretich

02/07/2023

What is the Paul Project, and how will it work for participants?

Paul Project is a social media campaign to bring awareness to fur farming, and to encourage support of the current legislation aimed at ending mink farming. **Why a walrus?? Click the link at the end of this post to read the story of Paul the Walrus.

How it works for participants:

• A plush walrus (Paul) and a small book will be mailed to you.

• In the book, you will write a message about why you think fur farms should be ended (it can be super short, longer, a poem, a drawing - feel free to be creative).

• After you write your message, you will snap a photo of the walrus and your message page together- you can make it a selfie & include yourself, you can include your pet, you can take the picture with a local landmark in the background, at your business if you are a business owner, etc. Again, feel free to get creative with your photos.

• You will then post your photo/s in the public Paul Project group (they can absolutely be submitted anonymously if preferred). Note that it is a public group and your photos will be shared widely and posted on the Paul Project page, Instagram, and Twitter. If you wish to remain anonymous that is no problem.

• Now it's time for Paul to move on. You will repackage Paul & the little book back into their envelope, and pass them on to the next person. You can pass them on by hand to someone else locally who wants to participate, or you can mail them. The Paul Project can provide you with a participant to send the envelope to if needed.

• It is generally up to the participants to pay for postage to send Paul on. However, if you would like to participate but cannot cover postage, please reach out to The Paul Project for assistance.

Why a walrus: the story of Frostfang the Mink and her walrus, Paul

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=119074694468636&id=100090983183324&mibextid=Nif5oz

02/07/2023

IT'S TIME
Now that the bill to end mink farming has been proposed, it's time to truly begin the Paul Project to raise awareness about this bill & push for it to be passed.

The army of Pauls are ready to go out into the world and tell people about the cruelty of mink farms. If you would like to be on the list of people to receive (and pass on) a Paul, let us know in the thread below 👇 shipping will cost about $5-$6 to pass on the Paul/book to the next person. Please only sign up if you are ok with that aspect of the project.

02/07/2023

⚠️⚡IT'S HERE⚡⚠️
The new legislation to ban mink farming in the US has been introduced to the house! Contact your state representatives and tell them you support HR Bill 3783, the Mink VIRUS Act!

The Mink VIRUS Act would:

• End the practice of mink fur farming
• Establish a grant program to reimburse mink farmers for the full market value of their farm.

* We are still waiting on the full text of the act to be published

** We understand that some people might be upset that fur farmers will be bought out monetarily, BUT, this addition will GREATLY improve the chances of this act actually passing!!

https://espaillat.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-adriano-espaillat-introduces-hr-3783-%E2%80%93-mink-virus-act

26/06/2023

Please consider donating so these mink can get to their new homes!

20/06/2023

Chuck

19/06/2023

Evening walks. Chuck and Juliet.

05/03/2022

Frequently Asked Question: Do the mink get cold living outside in the winter? Shouldn't they be indoors where it's warm?

This is a very common question! We humans get cold pretty easily, and it doesn't feel very good. It's only natural for us to worry about our furry friends and want them to be warm.

But mink? Mink are creatures of winter, absolutely built for the cold... Not just built to tolerate it, but built to LOVE it. Their bodies are perfectly adapted for frigid temps, and summertime heat is actually far more of a concern for their safety and well-being.

In this collage, Nico demonstrates how he feels about frigid ice water- it's just perfect for taking a nice swim! So don't worry or fret about Nico & his friends getting too cold- winter is their favorite time of the year!