Lightening/recoloring fursuit fur?

[The Past]

A few years ago, I was in the process of making a fursuit but took a break and didn't return to it for whatever reason. I didn't get very far with it, thankfully, with only the foam head base and feet done. It was going to be with the usual American black bear coloring, with black fur. But my fursona has changed since then. While still an American black bear, it now has reddish-brown fur as well.

Is it possible to safely lighten and color the black fur, and how should I do so? I'd prefer not to have most of the fur go to waste, and it would be a pain trying to find the right color with new fur.

[George]

l've heard good things about airbrushes, but this isn't a contractually-binding statement.