Farmed Mink Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Mink are farmed for fur in several European and North American countries, despite evidence of severe welfare problems caused by confining solitary, semi-aquatic predators in small wire cages.

Key Facts

Approximately 40 million mink are farmed annually for fur, primarily in Denmark, China, Poland, and the Netherlands
Mink are highly active, semi-aquatic animals with large natural home ranges; captivity denies their most basic needs
Stereotypic behaviours including pacing, circling, and self-mutilation affect a majority of farmed mink
COVID-19 outbreaks on mink farms led to mass cullings of millions of animals in several countries
The Netherlands, the UK, and several other countries have banned mink farming on welfare grounds

Welfare Considerations

Mink farming causes profound, chronic welfare suffering. These animals are obligate swimmers and wide-ranging predators forced to live in tiny wire cages with no water to swim in. Stereotypic behaviours are nearly universal, indicating severe frustration and psychological distress. Self-mutilation and aggression are common. No meaningful enrichment can compensate for the fundamental mismatch between mink biology and their captive environment. Bans on mink farming represent one of the most clear-cut welfare improvements available.

What You Can Do

Avoid purchasing real fur products including mink fur
Support campaigns for mink farming bans in countries where it continues
Advocate for a global ban on fur farming through international policy engagement
Choose synthetic alternatives to real fur for clothing and accessories
Support organisations working to phase out the fur trade globally