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Two new companion bills have been introduced in Massachusetts to ban the sale of new fur products! The fur industry subjects innocent animals to unimaginable cruelty and now jeopardizes public health as COVID-19 decimates fur farms around the world.

Every year, over 100 million animals are confined and brutally killed for their fur on fur farms, where animals including mink, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and other wild fur-bearing animals are confined in tiny, filthy cages. These innocent animals are bludgeoned to death, killed by genital electrocution, or gassed as others watch in terror and desperately try to escape before it is their turn. They may even be skinned alive. Millions more are trapped in the wild, where they slowly bleed to death, die due to lack of food or water, are attacked by predators, or shot or beaten to death by trappers. Please urge your state legislators to co-sponsor these important bills to protect animals and society as a whole!

In 2020, the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts, denounced this horrific and unnecessary abuse by passing a fur sales ban bill, making it the first ban of its kind in the state. Now, Massachusetts Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis and Sen. John Velis have introduced HD 1592 and SD 1029 to prohibit the sale of new fur products statewide. If passed, Massachusetts would become the first state on the East Coast to enact such a ban.

The fur industry is not only cruel to animals; it has a potentially catastrophic impact on public health.

Massive outbreaks of COVID-19 have been reported in countries worldwide, including Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, France, Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada, and the U.S.. Mink on fur farms in Michigan, Oregon, Utah, and Wisconsin have tested positive for COVID-19. Research now shows that infected mink may contract the virus from humans and can transmit SARS-CoV-2 back to humans. This cycle has led to the development of mutated strains of the virus which may jeopardize the efficacy of vaccines. Wild mink have also tested positive for COVID-19 in Utah.

"Massachusetts is a world leader in animal welfare,” said Rep. Lewis. “Given the overwhelming evidence of inhumane practices in the fur industry, the risks fur production has to our public health and the availability of so many different options for warm and fashionable fabrics, we will not continue to be complicit in unnecessary cruelty."

SD 1029 and HD 1592 would make it unlawful to sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, donate or otherwise distribute a fur product in the state. The bill exempts leather, cowhide, and shearling, as well as previously owned fur products. The prohibition would apply to the sale of products containing fur including, but not limited to, clothing and fashion accessories like handbags, shoes, slippers, hats and keychains.

"The excruciating process these animals go through for their fur is utterly disturbing and must be ended,” said Sen. Velis. “Due to the work of so many great advocacy organizations, more and more people have begun to learn of this cruel practice and what it entails. Public sentiment against the fur industry has been growing for years, and this bill is an important next step for Massachusetts."

Please take action to urge your state senator and representative to co-sponsor these much-need bills today! Enter your address at idausa.org/findmyrep and click the Massachusetts tab to find the identities and phones numbers of your state legislators. Massachusetts residents only, please.

Subject: Please Support SD 1029 and HD 1592 to Ban Brutal Fur Sales in MA!

As your constituent who cares about animals and one of In Defense of Animals’ 250,000 supporters, I respectfully ask you to support SD 1029 and HD 1592 to ban the sale of new animal fur in Massachusetts.

Every year, over 100 million animals are confined and brutally killed for their fur on fur farms, where animals including mink, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and other wild fur-bearing animals are confined in tiny, filthy cages. These innocent animals are bludgeoned to death, killed by genital electrocution, or gassed as others watch in terror and desperately try to escape before it is their turn. They may even be skinned alive.

Millions more are trapped in the wild, where they slowly bleed to death, die of starvation or lack of water, are attacked by predators, or shot or beaten to death by trappers.

The fur industry is not only unimaginably cruel to animals; it has a potentially catastrophic impact on public health and the constituents you represent.

Massive outbreaks of COVID-19 have been reported in countries worldwide, including Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, France, Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada, and the U.S. 

Mink on fur farms in Michigan, Oregon, Utah, and Wisconsin have tested positive for COVID-19. Research shows that infected mink may contract the virus from humans and transmit SARS-CoV-2 back to humans. This cycle has created mutated strains of the virus, which may jeopardize the efficacy of vaccines. Wild mink have also tested positive for COVID-19 in Utah. 

Compassionate Massachusetts residents do not support the fur industry’s abject animal cruelty or the endangerment to public health to produce fur coats, trim, or other fashion accessories. Last year, the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts, banned the sale of animal fur. With these newly introduced bills, Massachusetts can become the first state on the East Coast to enact such a ban.

Please co-sponsor SD 1029 and HD 1592 to represent the will of your constituents. Thank you for creating a safer and more compassionate Massachusetts.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.