Fur Farming - Global Welfare Issues

Mink, foxes, and other animals are farmed for fur in intensive conditions causing significant suffering. Bans are spreading globally but production continues in large scale in key countries.

Key Facts

Around 80% of global fur comes from mink farms
Denmark destroyed its entire mink population of 17 million in 2020 due to COVID-19
Mink on fur farms are confined to small wire cages with no ability to swim
Fox fur farming involves keeping wild animals in conditions causing severe chronic stress
The UK, Austria, Netherlands, and several other countries have banned fur farming

Welfare Considerations

Fur farming imposes profound suffering on animals with strong natural instincts that are completely incompatible with cage confinement. Mink are semi-aquatic predators that in the wild cover large territories and spend significant time in water. Cage confinement causes stereotypic behaviour in virtually all mink - a clear indicator of chronic frustration and stress. Foxes, ferrets, raccoon dogs, and chinchillas are similarly confined in conditions that deny their natural behaviour. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed additional biosecurity risks from concentrating large numbers of susceptible animals.

What You Can Do

Choose synthetic alternatives to real fur in all clothing and accessories
Advocate for a global ban on fur farming through political and consumer pressure
Support Humane Society International fur-free campaigns
Encourage fashion brands to commit to fur-free collections
Report real fur products marketed as faux fur to Trading Standards