Last week, FOUR PAWS joined coalition partners, animal welfare groups, and passionate animal advocates who gathered at the Massachusetts State House to testify in support of a fur sales ban in the Commonwealth. Research and Campaigns Manager, Melanie Lary, spoke in support of Senate bill 551 and House bill 990 (S. 551/H. 990), which would ban the sale of new farmed fur products in the state. The ban would not apply to secondhand fur or fur used for religious purposes, and it would follow similar bans in other countries and the state of California, as well as several towns and cities within Massachusetts. The ban would also respond to growing consumer demand for cruelty-free fashion, and trends within top brands and retailers that are choosing to move away from fur in fashion. Most importantly, the ban would help protect the millions of animals who suffer on fur farms.  

The fur trade is one of the cruelest and least regulated animal industries in the world. The majority of animal fur used for clothing comes from fur factory farms, where tens of millions of wild animals live in inhumane conditions and spend their entire lives crammed into small wire-bottom cages, deprived of engaging in natural behaviors – only to be killed by electrocution. Make no mistake, there is there is no such thing as a humane fur farm. 

Therefore, it’s no surprise that growing consumer concern for animals is leading fashion brands, cities, states, and countries to move away from animal fur once and for all. Internationally, 23 countries have banned fur farming, and several others have taken the next step by banning the import and sale of fur products. 

The European Union is currently considering a ban on fur farming and the trade of farmed fur products. As part of this process, the European Food Safety Authority conducted a scientific assessment on the welfare of certain animals kept on fur farms. The Authority concluded that there’s serious animal welfare consequences and suffering is inherent in fur farming, including the restriction of movement, chronic stress, no enrichment, abnormal behaviors, unsanitary conditions, forced obesity, frequent physical wounds and injuries, self-mutilation, and high levels of disease and death. Overall, the Authority’s findings assert that the complex behavioral and physiological needs of these animals simply cannot be met within the fur farming industry. 

This egregious industry is fundamentally incompatible with today’s ethical standards and the values of Massachusetts voters. Eight municipalities in the Commonwealth have enacted bans on the sale of new fur products. It’s time for our state to join this growing movement to no longer support the cruel fur farming industry. By passing these bills, we will help drive the demand for innovation, leading to a more sustainable and cruelty-free future. We can and must remove ourselves from supporting fur factory farms. 

Residents of Massachusetts can help pass these important bills by contacting your state Senator and House Representative and asking them to support Senate bill 551 and House bill 990 to ban the sale of new farmed fur products in Massachusetts. It is especially important to contact your state legislator is they are a member of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources because they need to pass these bills favorable out of committee before the bills can be voted on by the rest of the MA legislature. 

Look up your state legislators here.   

As a consumer, you can pledge to go fur-free and ensure that you are supporting Fur Free Retailers.  

Wear It Kind is a FOUR PAWS’ initiative to create a future where great fashion doesn’t cause great suffering. Change is happening thanks to people taking action, and the number of brands moving towards a kinder future for animals is growing all the time. Learn more about Wear It Kind and ways you can protect animals used by the fashion industry.