Mink farming raises serious welfare concerns due to the highly motivated natural behaviors of these semi-aquatic carnivores that cannot be expressed in standard cage systems.
Mink are among the most welfare-compromised farmed animals globally. Their natural behavioral repertoire — swimming, diving, hunting, and ranging over large territories — cannot be expressed in wire cage systems, leading to exceptionally high rates of stereotypic behavior that reflect deep-seated frustration and poor welfare. The scientific consensus is clear: standard mink farming cannot provide adequate welfare for these animals. The trend toward national bans reflects growing recognition that the suffering involved in fur farming cannot be justified by the luxury products it produces.