Animals need their fur coats more than we do. But on fur factory farms around the world, millions of rabbits, foxes, mink and other wild animals spend their entire lives in cramped cages, deprived of the ability to engage in natural behaviors—only to be crudely gassed or electrocuted at the end. In the wild, animals are caught in crippling leghold traps for days without food or water. These archaic traps are indiscriminate, often maiming and killing non-target animals, like threatened species and even pets—all this in the name of fashion. Photo above by JoAnn McArthur/We Animals.
In 2010, Congress passed the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, which requires all animal fur to be labeled—but some retailers continue to sell animal fur products as faux. Raccoon dogs, who have been documented to be skinned alive, are the most misrepresented species often advertised as a different type of animal or faux.
Consumers’ concern for animal welfare is leading fashion brands, cities and countries to move away from animal fur. Gucci, Chanel, Coach, Burberry, Versace, Michael Kors, Armani and InStyle magazine are just some of the companies that have announced fur-free policies. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley, West Hollywood and São Paulo have banned fur sales and Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Austria have banned fur production. Also, India banned fur imports in 2017. It’s clear that this unnecessary cruelty has no future in fashion. View our fur-free action guide for ways you can help.
Are killed for fur each year; approximately 85 percent come from fur factory farms—the rest are trapped in the wild.
Have adopted fur-free policies and are now offering warm and innovative alternatives instead.
Or more can be killed for one single fur coat.
By taking a stand against the fur industry in refusing to purchase its products, designers will stop using fur, retailers will stop selling it and fashion writers will stop touting it as an acceptable trend.
