The Cruel Reality of Fur Farming

Each year, tens of millions of animals suffer and are killed, all in the name of frivolous fur fashion. The vast majority of that fur comes from animals confined for their entire short lives in tiny wire cages on industrial-sized factory fur farms. 

These establishments contain row upon row of small, cramped cages holding mink, foxes and raccoon dogs, species that roam vast distances in the wild. Such unnatural confinement means these animals are unable to act out even their most natural behaviors, such as running, digging and, in the case of semi-aquatic mink, swimming. It also causes stress to animals that are often solitary in nature.

Animal Cruelty on Fur Farms

The conditions on fur farms have been condemned by veterinarians from around the world, and multiple investigations carried out by Humane World for Animals and others over many years show the appalling reality: animals suffering from mental disturbance, pacing around their tiny space; wounds from self-mutilation or fighting with cage mates, even cannibalism; open sores; eye infections and other illnesses; and massively overweight animals bred to provide larger and more profitable fur skins.

A scientific opinion, published in 2025 by scientists for the European Food Safety Authority, highlighted how current fur farming systems are unable to meet the welfare needs of animals such as mink, foxes, raccoon dogs and chinchillas. These types of systems are used across the European Union, and further afield, including on so-called “high welfare” or “certified” farms.

Once the animals’ pelts have reached their prime at around the age of 8 to 10 months old, they are brutally killed by anal electrocution, gassing or bludgeoning.

Environmental Impact of the Fur Industry

The close confinement of stressed animals in unnatural conditions also allows diseases to take hold and spread rapidly. In recent years animals on fur farms in Europe, North America and China have suffered from zoonotic diseases like COVID-19 and avian influenza. This is a major health risk for the animals themselves and for humans, too. Scientists have compared fur farming to high-risk environments such as wet markets and the bush meat trade and warn of the pandemic potential posed by these facilities. 

The farming of these animals for their fur also creates environmental damage to land, water and the air. Data shows high levels of greenhouse gases and water use, in addition to the many chemicals used in the process of turning the pelts into fashion products. Farms can also be a nuisance for nearby human residents, with reports of highly unpleasant smells, fly infestations and the escape of farmed animals into the local community.

The Global Decline of Fur Farming

Fur farming is practiced in Canada, China, the United States, Russia and several European countries. However, times are changing and these practices are being shut down around the world, as the public and politicians shun the cruelty, environmental degradation and public health risks associated with fur farming. The European Commission is also considering the future of fur farming across the European Union, a move that could see the end to fur farming and trade across the region.

The fur industry has suffered a major decline in the last decade, as consumers, designers and retailers turn their backs on fur. The number of animals bred and killed is decreasing, and we must keep working until the industry is ended, for good.