It is the height of absurdity: There’s widespread public awareness of the immense cruelty of fur factory farming. The fashion industry is just one of many industries inflicting harm on animals while putting terrible pressure on our already-stressed environment. And yet, animals are still being born just to be killed and then skinned on fur farms. Tens of millions of wild animals such as foxes, mink and raccoon dogs are currently confined in fur factory farms across the world.
We are looking toward Denver, Colorado, where residents are preparing to vote on a major ballot measure this coming November. Ordinance 308 is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that would end the sale of new fur products in Denver. Measures to end the sale of new fur products are crucial in cutting down the fur farming industry. Like other fur sales ordinances across the country, including that of nearby Boulder, this critical measure, if approved, will reduce the demand for these cruel fashion items, and signifying residents’ opposition to the cruel fur industry and their desire for more sustainable, cruelty-free products.
Claire Bass/Humane Society International
End the sale of new fur products in Denver
Ordinance 308, which would prohibit the sale of new fur products in items of clothing, accessories and home goods, is entirely reasonable and measured. The proposal includes numerous commonsense exemptions. It wouldn’t impact the sale of used and vintage fur products, or the sale of products made from other animal-based materials, including leather, wool and mohair. It also allows for the sale of new fur products used for Native American tribal, cultural or spiritual purposes.
They spend their entire lives in cramped, unsanitary cages with no enrichment or basic veterinary care. Our investigations of fur factory farms all over the world have shown animals suffering from severe injuries and illnesses. They spend their entire lives in cramped, unsanitary cages with no enrichment or basic veterinary care. Given the severe and heartless cruelty of the methods used to kill these animals, those we have found already dead in their cages seem to be the lucky ones. Even in the U.S., fur factory farms are not subject to humane slaughter laws or animal welfare standards. Animals born to die on fur farms are typically gassed, bludgeoned to death or electrocuted.
These disturbing conditions lead to the spread of diseases that pose serious public health risks. While China accounts for the overwhelming majority of animals raised for fur—more than 10 million animals—there are still around 100 fur factory farms located in the U.S. Multiple reports, including a brand-new study in China, have found viruses that could infect people in foxes, mink and raccoon dogs who have come from fur farms. Researchers around the world are voicing significant concern over the biosecurity risk of fur farms and their potential to serve as hubs for diseases with pandemic potential. And while all countries should be taking these concerns very seriously, U.S. state and federal agencies aren’t even testing fur factory farms for harmful diseases like avian influenza, which is currently wreaking havoc in some of the nation’s dairy and chicken farms.
Passing Ordinance 308 and removing new fur products from the marketplace is the most effective action Denver residents can take to stand up against cruelty, the fur industry and help stop the killing of animals for frivolities such as fur-trim on coats and poms for hats. Communities around the country that have ended the sale of new fur products fuel the development of new, innovative materials such as biobased fur, which is cruelty-free and less harmful for the environment. For the few remaining Denver retailers who do sell new fur products, it will be simple enough to transition away from selling animal fur and replace their merchandise with humane and eco-friendly options that are now indistinguishable from their animal-based counterparts.
The Humane Society of the United States is endorsing the campaign to vote yes on 308. Denver residents have a true opportunity to show how much they care for animals by voting yes on Ordinance 308. There is simply no room for fur in a humane and just society. Learn more about Ordinance 308 at YesOn308Denver.org
Follow Kitty Block @HSUSKittyBlock.
Paid for by the Humane Society of the United States.
