As people come together for the holidays, another annual tradition makes its mark on the day after Thanksgiving—Fur Free Friday. It is no coincidence that the day falls on Black Friday, a day known for its rampant consumerism. Fur Free Friday brings an urgent reminder to shop with compassion by rejecting cruel and outdated fur products, and it pressures retailers on one of the busiest shopping days of the year to adopt ethical, fur-free policies.

Fur Free Friday began decades ago as a grassroots movement to challenge the fur industry and raise awareness about the appalling cruelty behind fur fashion. Every year, compassionate activists around the globe organize events to spread this life-saving message. The movement has grown stronger each year, sparking meaningful conversations about the ethics of wearing fur and bringing critical issues into the public spotlight.

If you live in Portland, please join us and Animal Rights Collective Portland for a Fur Free Friday protest outside Louis Vuitton on November 29 at noon. 

The fur industry is built on immense suffering. On fur farms, millions of animals, including foxes, minks, and raccoons, endure horrific conditions. These sensitive beings are confined to cramped, filthy cages, deprived of the opportunity to express natural behaviors, and killed in excruciating ways. Wild animals fare no better; they are trapped for their fur using barbaric leghold traps and body-gripping traps, which are legal in most states—even in wildlife refuges that should be sanctuaries for wild animals.

Unfortunately, progress to end trapping is sometimes slow. In Colorado, the recent Fur Sale Ban Ballot Initiative, Ordinance 308, which proposed a ban on the sale of fur, failed to pass despite garnering 42% of voter support. Though the measure didn’t succeed, it shows that more and more people are willing to take a stand against fur.

Fur is also falling out of favor in the fashion world. Companies are increasingly turning to alternatives that provide the same luxurious look without the cruelty. Biofluff, for example, is an innovative new material that mimics the feel of fur, while brands like Max Mara and many others are embracing fur-free fashion.

Fur Free Friday is an opportunity for all of us to speak out against fur and promote cruelty-free alternatives. Whether you’re organizing your own event or simply looking for ways to take action, there are plenty of ways to get involved:

1. Organize Your Own Event: Planning to hold a Fur Free Friday event near you? Let us know, and we’ll support your efforts!
2. Pass a Fur Ban Ordinance in Your City: Interested in advocating for a fur-free city? Check out our guide on how to pass an ordinance.
3. Order Stickers: Spread awareness and show off your favorite fur-free retailers with our Fur Free retailer stickers.
4. Show Your Support: Send us a photo of your furry friends who don’t support wearing fur, and we’ll share it on social media!

For more information, to take action, and spread the word, visit www.furkills.org this Fur Free Friday.