Progress! MA Could Ban Fur

In response to a shocking case of extreme animal abuse that led to the rescue of hundreds of animals from an Ohio fur farm, Massachusetts lawmakers have proposed legislation to ban the sale of new fur in the state.

If passed, House Bill 2107 and Senate Bill 712, introduced by State Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis and State Sen. Cindy Creem respectively, would make Massachusetts the second state after California to prohibit the sale of farmed fur and fur products. This would be a significant step forward for both animal welfare and public health, particularly as Massachusetts ranks third in fur sales nationwide, following New York and Texas.

The Ohio fur farm case exposed the grim reality of fur farming in the United States and underscored the urgent need for action. Animals on fur farms across the country have no federal protections in terms of their welfare, care, or the methods used to slaughter them. The only state-level regulation for animals on fur farms is a New York law banning the anal and genital electrocution of foxes, which is a common killing method used in fur farming to avoid damaging pelts.

There are over 100 mink fur farms across the United States, but due to a lack of government oversight, the number of fur farms for other species, such as foxes, is unknown. Animals kept on fur farms are typically confined in filthy, barren wire cages with little to no protection from the elements. These cages are often stacked closely together, creating a high risk of zoonotic disease transmission, including COVID-19. In the recent Ohio cruelty case many of the animals found suffering on the fur farm had missing toes, ears, tails, and limbs with veterinarians concluding that some likely lost toes due to painful wire flooring, while others lost limbs after being caught in leg-hold traps.

The bold decision by Massachusetts lawmakers to take a stand against this unregulated and cruel industry comes at a pivotal moment. While fur-free policies have gained traction, with most major fashion brands now banning fur, a broader cultural shift toward individualism has contributed to a resurgence of real fur, particularly vintage fur, in fashion hubs like New York. Though vintage fur may not directly fund today’s fur farms, normalizing real fur risks undoing years of public awareness campaigns that have exposed the industry’s horrors.

With this legislation, Massachusetts is making a powerful statement that wearing fur cannot be separated from the animal cruelty behind its production or the public health risks posed by unregulated fur farms. This growing rejection of fur in the state is reflected in several Massachusetts towns that have already passed local bans, including Wellesley, Weston, Brookline, Plymouth, Cambridge, Lexington, Attleboro, and Arlington.

While state-level bans are crucial in ending this cruel and unnecessary industry, pressuring the few remaining fashion brands that continue to use fur is equally important. At a time when the fashion industry risks regressing on this issue, we must keep up the momentum.

You can help by signing our petition demanding that Fendi finally drop fur. Every voice matters in the fight against this horrific cruelty.