Groundbreaking Animal Victory: California Becomes First-Ever State to End Fur Sales!
In Defense of Animals Celebrates Groundbreaking Victory for Animals as California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs AB 44 into Law
SACRAMENTO, CA (October 12, 2019) — In Defense of Animals is overjoyed to welcome news that California’s landmark bill to ban fur has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. This revolutionary legislation makes California the first state in the country to outlaw fur sales and production statewide. Activists are hailing this law as a monumental victory which will spare untold numbers of fur-bearing animals from agonizing deaths and could potentially lead to the end of the fur industry worldwide. The news comes just weeks after Governor Newsom signed a fur trapping ban into law.
“California’s groundbreaking new law sounds the death knell for the sickeningly cruel fur industry and marks a major victory for animals, people, and the environment,” said Fleur Dawes, Communications Director for In Defense of Animals. “The enactment of AB 44 reflects the evolving attitudes of compassionate Californians who reject ‘fashion’ made from tortured animals, and paves the way for other states—and ultimately, the world—to go fur-free.”
In Defense of Animals supporters sent thousands of messages supporting the fur sales and fur trapping bills to the California State Legislature. In Defense of Animals also named the 10 Worst vs. 10 Best Celebrities ‘Fur’ Animals to urge entertainers to ditch fur and publicly support banning fur in both California and New York City. idausa.org/10worstcelebs.
AB 44, presented by Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, prohibits the sale and manufacture of animal fur products throughout California. The newly enacted law will go into effect on Jan 1, 2023, to make it illegal to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, give donate or otherwise distribute a new fur product in the state. Clothing, handbags, shoes, slippers, hats, or key chains that contain fur would all be banned from such sales. Those who violate the ban could face civil or criminal penalties, including up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming support of the California State Legislature, Governor Newsom, Assemblywoman Friedman, caring Californians, and the unwavering dedication of animal activists who have worked tirelessly to defend animals from the cruel practices of the fur industry,” Marilyn Kroplick, M.D., President of In Defense of Animals. “In Defense of Animals will continue to work with dedicated activists and organizations to make fur history across the United States and around the world.”
Coyotes, chinchillas, foxes, mink, rabbits, and other fur-bearing animals are subjected to unregulated killing methods which cause unimaginable terror and agony, all for the sake of frivolous fashion statements like fur trim, coats, and accessories. Animals are gassed, bludgeoned, electrocuted, or have their necks broken, while anal or genital electrocution is a common method for killing animals used for fur.
Furs from dogs, cats, raccoons, rodents and other animals are often undisclosed or intentionally mislabeled by manufacturers, and fur products are often preserved with chemicals that are damaging to the environment and harmful to human health.
California has been at the forefront of anti-fur legislation with trailblazing successes to prohibit the sale of fur products throughout several of its largest cities, including San Francisco, Berkeley, West Hollywood, and Los Angeles.
This newly-signed/approved fur sales bill comes just weeks after Governor Newsom put his “paw of approval” on AB 273 which banned commercial and recreational fur trapping throughout California, stating that animals “should not have to live in fear of being trapped.”
Take action to end fur at www.furkills.org
Join the Conversation: #MakeFurHistory #CaliforniaFurAll
Images (free for unlimited distribution with credit): http://bit.ly/CAfurban
Contact:
Fleur Dawes, media@idausa.org, 415-879-6879
Julie Massa, julie@idausa.org, 415-448-0048 x232
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In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 36-year history of protecting animals’ rights, welfare and habitats through education, campaigns and hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org
In Defense of Animals is part of the Make Fur History coalition which includes Social Compassion in Legislation, the Humane Society of the United States, and Direct Action Everywhere.