In Defense of Animals has been campaigning to end the barbaric fur trade for many years, and we are finally poised to make history by passing the world’s first ever fur sales ban in a major city right here in our own backyard!

Over the past months, we have been at San Francisco City Hall with local activists and our partners in the Compassionate City coalition to make the case passionately and persuasively for a ban on fur sales. Despite protests from fur retailers, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pass the ordinance on Tuesday, March 20!

San Francisco’s fur ban ordinance bans the sale and manufacture of fur products in San Francisco including on clothing and fashion accessories such as handbags, shoes, slippers, hats, earmuffs, scarves, shawls, gloves, jewelry, and keychains made of fur or with fur trim. It will become operative on January 1, 2019. Retailers have until December 31, 2019 to clear out their old stock.

Supervisor Katy Tang put this ordinance on the agenda thanks to our colleagues at DxE with whom we proudly partner as part of our Compassionate City coalition. Their work builds on years of dedication and hard work of Bay Area activists including several members of In Defense of Animals who have spent many years of their lives fighting fur in the Bay Area and hosting Fur Free Friday every year without fail.

This measure will be voted on again by the Board of Supervisors on April 3 and is expected to pass and reach the Mayor to make it official no later than April 14.

Despite reports, the fur ban is not quite a done-deal yet. There is a slim chance this ordinance could be amended, passed back to committee, or fail the final vote. If you live in the Bay Area, please join us as we march on San Francisco make the final push to make fur history this Sunday, March 25.

The persistence and collaboration of activists and organizations around the world who never give up for animals has put us in the position today where we are now so close to securing this important precedent-setting victory for the animals

In Defense of Animals is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and we will keep you updated with this important and historic victory for animals. Progress for animals is only possible thanks to your support. Please donate today so we can continue our lifesaving work.