Mink farming for fur is being phased out in many countries due to welfare concerns, but remains a significant industry globally with substantial animal suffering.
Farmed mink in wire cages suffer from severe behavioral restriction - species that require kilometers of movement per day are confined to spaces providing only a few square meters. The stereotypic pacing and self-directed biting behaviors visible in the majority of farmed mink are reliable indicators of profound psychological suffering. COVID-19 forced mass culling of millions of mink using CO2 gassing in some cases, causing additional suffering. The trend toward mink farming bans reflects growing recognition that the welfare costs of fur production cannot be justified. Humane slaughter methods in remaining operations still involve significant individual suffering.