Read the Cruelty is Out of Fashion report now.

Wild animals are generally exploited for their fur, skin or feathers. In regard to fur, the report highlights the concerns regarding mink and fox trade. While wild animals can be trapped for their fur, the fashion industry is responsible for keeping and killing wild species like mink, foxes and raccoon dogs in factory farms, where they are bred in barren cages specifically to become a fashion product. 

A relevant finding is that as much as 95 percent of all fur sold in the fashion industry comes from wild animals kept and killed in fur factory farms, mainly in the EU and China. This housing system contravenes the most basic principles of animal welfare, causing extreme suffering to those animals.

Besides the concerns of fur production, the report raises awareness about fashion brands and fashion weeks that have decided to invest in more sustainable and innovative materials.

So far, amongst the three biggest fashion weeks in Europe - London, Paris and Milan, only London has implemented a fur free policy. Despite the lack of fur free policies in several shows, more and more luxury brands have gone fur free. 

The report also sets recommendations for fashion weeks, brands and the fashion industry in general to consider discontinuing the use of animal fur, skins and feathers in the long run, thus contributing to a humane and responsible fashion industry.

Want to do more to help animals used for fashion? Sign the Fur Free Europe European Citizens' Initiative.