Fur Farm Reform and the Move Toward Bans

Mink, foxes and other fur-bearing animals on fur farms are confined in wire cages that cause severe psychological and physical suffering.

Key Facts

Global fur production involves approximately 100 million animals annually, predominantly mink and foxes
Wire mesh cage floors prevent natural digging, running and swimming behaviours essential to mink welfare
Fur-farmed mink show stereotypic circling, self-mutilation and aggressive behaviour at rates far exceeding wild relatives
Over 30 countries and numerous US states have banned fur farming since 2000, with many more scheduled for phase-out
COVID-19 outbreaks on mink farms in Denmark led to the culling of 17 million animals in 2020
Faux fur and alternative textile materials are technologically capable of replicating fur properties at comparable cost

Welfare Considerations

Fur-farmed animals are wild-natured species kept in conditions that deny their most fundamental behavioural needs. Mink are semi-aquatic predators that in the wild range up to 4 km daily and swim regularly — wire cages provide no water for swimming and no space for movement. The result is chronic frustration expressed as stereotypies. Foxes in fur farms are similarly deprived of digging, denning and ranging. The industry has shown little capacity for welfare reform within the farming model because the constraints are inherent to it. Phase-out bans, rather than welfare standards, represent the only path to genuine improvement for these species.

What You Can Do

Refuse to purchase products containing real fur and verify faux fur labelling carefully
Support organisations campaigning for fur farming bans in your country
Write to fashion brands urging them to adopt and maintain fur-free policies
Support legislation requiring mandatory fur labelling so consumers can make informed choices
Donate to welfare organisations monitoring and documenting conditions on fur farms