Utah is one of the largest mink producing states in the US, and every year a handful of mink manage to break away and escape. They twist away or bolt during harvest or breeding, they break out of a damaged cage, they find some way to get loose of their own volition.

Smaug was found as a young kit, hovering close to his poor mother- who had already passed away 💔 this is often the fate of escaped fur farm mink; they lack the instincts needed to survive and hunt for their own food, after being raised and cared for in captivity.

Smaug was lucky. He found his way into the expert care of Rocky Mountain Mink Refuge in June of 2022, just a little baby, and his fate immediately changed for the better! They took excellent care of him, and he was able to experience the rest of his kithood in a safe and loving environment. In September of 2022, Smaug was permanently transferred to Mustelid Madness Rescue.

Smaug is an adorable but fierce little black mink! He loves to eat frozen thawed prey in his favorite hammock, and he delights in collecting anything plastic - he makes a mighty hoard of his "treasures", just like a dragon. As our longest current resident, he has taken on the title of "Boss", a tradition started by the one and only Nicolas the Mink.