California's Fur Ban Goes into Effect Statewide

WEAR

Jan 4

The implementation of the statewide ban marks the latest blow to the fading fur industry, with mounting opposition to the trade and falling consumer demand signaling that the end of animal fur is in sight.

Animal rights campaigners everywhere are celebrating California’s state-wide ban on the sale and manufacture of new animal fur products, which officially went into effect on January 1. The move marks California as the first state in the United States to take this huge step to resign animal-based fur to the history books, and sets a strong precedent for others to follow.

Championed by Assembly member Laura Friedman and sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States and Animal Hope in Legislation, Assembly Bill 44 passed in 2019. The bill also received global support from animal advocacy groups.

“The year 2023 marks a historic step forward for California with the implementation of a law that truly represents the values of our constituents,” said Assemblymember Friedman. “Californians do not want to see animals live and die in cruel ways for nothing more than fashion, and I’m so pleased that this law will help uphold our state’s animal welfare standards as well as potentially help drive innovation for more sustainable fashion alternatives.”

Four municipalities in California, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley, West Hollywood, helped pave the way for Assembly Bill 44 by implementing similar measures to prohibit the sale of animal-based fur. Meanwhile, in other parts of the US, 12 cities have passed laws to gradually phase out the sale of new fur items.

Prior to the new legislation, California’s retail sale of fur garments reached roughly $129 million, according to the 2017 Economic Census. Combined, California and New York were responsible for nearly 43 percent of fur sales across the US in 2017.

California’s ban does not apply to used fur products sold at nonprofit thrift stores, second hand stores and pawn shops. It also does not apply to the sale of leather, dog and cat fur, cowhides, deer, sheep and goat skin, and anything preserved through taxidermy.

“We are grateful to California for taking a stand against the cruel fur industry by implementing this statewide ban on the production and sale of new fur products,” said Jenny Berg, California state director for the Humane Society of the United States.

“The fact that around 100 million animals are still raised and killed in fur factory farms for nothing more than a fur coat, hat or other product is archaic, especially when humane, environmentally sustainable alternatives exist. We applaud California for leading the fight against fur and sending a powerful message that animals should no longer suffer and die for fashion.”

The implementation of the statewide ban marks the latest blow to the fading fur industry, with mounting opposition to the trade and falling consumer demand signalling that the end of animal fur is in sight.

Multiple leading fashion brands including Gucci, Prada and Versace have ditched fur over the last few years, while others including Canada Goose, Kering, Saks Fifth Avenue, Zegna Group, Rudsak, Mytheresa and Moose Knuckles all pledged to go fur-free by the end of 2022.

What we wear matters

In the fur industry, millions of animals, including mink, raccoon dogs, and chinchillas, are farmed in small, filthy cages according to animal campaigners. Unable to participate in their natural behaviors, they often resort to self-mutilation and repetitive pacing. The animals are typically suffocated, gassed, poisoned, or electrocuted, while others are commonly skinned alive while fully conscious.

Pioneers are creating alternative materials to offer a viable, cruelty-free solution to animal fur. One of the leading companies in the space includes New York City-based material innovation studio and outerwear brand House of Fluff, that create vegan faux fur products using recycled fibers sourced from post-consumer waste. Founded by Kym Canter, the brand is a reflection of changing tastes and transformation - Canter was previously the creative director at J. Mendel, a global luxury brand known for its animal furs.

Last year, Species Unite founder Elizabeth Novogratz sat down with Kym Canter to hear her story about what led her to shun the animal fur industry and create sustainable, faux fur alternatives. Listen to the full podcast episode here.

Despite more and more major fashion brands pledging to end the use of animal fur, Max Mara is a rare exception, making the choice to be on the wrong side of history. Please sign Species Unite’s urgent petition urging the fashion house to ditch animal fur in favor of ethical alternatives.

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