Los Angeles becomes the largest City in the United States to ban the sale and manufacture of new fur

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and the Los Angeles City Council voted to support an ordinance to ban the sale and manufacture of new fur throughout Los Angeles. Blumenfield authored the ‘Fur Ban’ motion, which was co-presented by Councilmember Paul Koretz and seconded by Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, last year and in September, the City Council supported the drafting of a formal ordinance. This legislation makes Los Angeles the largest City in America to ban new fur products.

“This arcane and inhumane practice must end and today we said loud and clear, fur will not have a future in Los Angeles,” said Blumenfield. “I am proud that our City made a giant step in ending the unnecessary killing of animals but we must continue towards finally eliminating this vile market.”

“The fur trade is senseless and brutal to animals. Today’s ordinance to stop the manufacturing and retail sales of animal parts is long overdue,” said Councilmember Paul Koretz. “These beautiful animals deserve better than the cruel treatment they receive at the hands of fur ranchers, especially if it is to create trivial fur fashion items. The world looks to Los Angeles for fashion trends and this will be one we can be proud of.”

This ordinance will take effect on January 1, 2021 and specifically prohibit the sale of products and apparel made in whole or in part of fur or any fashion accessory, such as handbags, shoes, hats, earmuffs, and jewelry.

Marc Ching, Founder and CEO of the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation said, “The passage of the LA Fur Ban led by Councilmember Blumenfield represents a landmark victory when it comes to ethics and compassion.  The state has already taken notice and introduced a statewide measure - Los Angeles is leading the way for the change we hope to see throughout the country.”

More than fifty million animals including foxes, chinchillas, minks, raccoons, dogs and rabbits are killed for their fur every year. The fur industry is one that has consistently been associated with inhumane practices. Animals who are cultivated solely for their fur spend their lives in cramped cages, subject to deplorable living conditions. Common practices include gassing, electrocution, suffocation and neck breaking. Electrocuting fur-bearing animals anally and genitally is a slaughter method used frequently in the industry to limit damage to the fur.

As more cities and countries pass restrictive legislation, more companies will stop using fur and alternatives will continue to improve. Considering the wide available alternatives, Blumenfield strongly believes that the demand for fur products does not justify the unnecessary killing and the cruel treatment of fur-bearing animals. Most recently, fashion companies such as Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Versace, Gucci, Burberry, Diane von Furstenberg and Chanel have made commitments to remove fur from their line of products. Currently, in California cities such as West Hollywood, Berkeley and San Francisco have adopted similar bans on the sale of fur products.

Due to Council rules, since there was a single dissenting vote, one more procedural vote is needed before the ordinance is sent for Mayoral approval.

Blumenfield has been an animal rights advocate throughout his career and has authored many pieces of humane legislation on both the state and local levels. Recently Blumenfield authored a motion called “Cruelty-Free Los Angeles” which will ensure that the City of Los Angeles only purchases supplies such as cleaning products and hand soaps that are free from animal testing.

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