With the depths of the autumnal cold upon us, it’s the perfect opportunity for warmth and fashion to come into perfect harmony with each other. Unfortunately, for some fashion still means fur. Our fourth issue of FAUX PAWS, released on Fur Free Friday, draws focus to how fur in the fashion industry is resulting in a global death toll of millions of minks, foxes, raccoon dogs, and wild-trapped animals. This is only the beginning of the issue…

The scale of the cruelty

At first glance, when you see a fur coat you may assume that it is from a single animal. But the truth is astounding. Just one fur coat can be made from two hundred dead chinchillas.

Over one hundred million animals are killed for their fur every year, and, for the victims of the fur industry, life is often brutal. Fox, mink, raccoon dogs, and chinchillas are cramped into filthy cages, unable to express their natural behaviours. Then, they are killed and skinned in the name of fashion.

A pandemic of cruelty

There are more than 5,000 fur farms across Europe, as well as farms in China and the US. Not only do these farms breed suffering, they also breed infectious diseases. At least 422 mink farms have had COVID-19 outbreaks across Europe and North America. The mutated virus rapidly spread from animals to farmers, leading to the culling of over 20 million mink. This time, we can see the next pandemic coming and you can help us to stop it.

So, where does the UK stand?

The UK banned fur farming in 2002, but fur is still imported onto home soil. In fact, more than £670 million of animal fur from animals farmed has been imported since the ban on farming was put in place. The good news is that the demand for fur is falling, with many brands joining the Fur Free Retailer programme. But the bad news is, brands like Harrods and House of Fraser are still yet to remove fur from their stores.

The solution?

Read our latest issue of FAUX PAWS to find out!