Poland has officially become the 18th country in the European Union to ban fur farming after President Karol Nawrocki signed the legislation into law. The decision marks a monumental breakthrough for animal protection, especially as Poland is Europe’s largest fur-producing nation and the second-largest in the world after China. Every year, around 3 million mink, foxes, raccoon dogs, and chinchillas are raised and killed on fur farms in Poland.
The ban follows strong cross-party political support in the Sejm and Senate and comes just weeks after a devastating report from the European Food Safety Authority. The report concluded that animal suffering is inherent to fur farming and that keeping animals in small, barren, wire cages for their entire lives can never meet basic welfare needs. The findings were requested by the European Commission after a Fur Free Europepetition gathered 1.5 million signatures calling for an EU-wide ban.
“This is a historic moment for animal protection in Poland that will end the suffering and death of millions of animals kept on fur farms. Fur farming is not part of Polish heritage, and most Poles oppose fur cruelty, as evidenced by opinion polls and the more than 76,000 petition signatures we recently submitted to the office of President Nawrocki,” said Iga Głażewska-Bromant, Poland Director at Humane World for Animals Europe, while welcoming the ban.
“Today, we can proudly say that Poland becomes the 18th country in the European Union to introduce a ban on fur farming, and we hope this will be a crucial catalyst for change as the European Commission considers the case for banning fur farming EU-wide,” continued Głażewska-Bromant.
Fur farming is one of the cruelest forms of animal exploitation. Animals confined in wire cages are denied everything natural to them, space to roam, dig, play, or express normal behaviors. Many suffer from open wounds, infections, self-mutilation, and extreme psychological distress. The industry has also been linked to dangerous disease outbreaks, including COVID-19 and avian influenza, resulting in mass killings of farmed mink and foxes across Europe.
Poland’s historic decision puts increasing pressure on the few remaining EU countries that still allow fur farming, including Finland, Denmark, Spain, Hungary, and Greece. More than 6 million animals remain on nearly 1,200 fur farms across the EU, even though 24 Member States now fully or partially restrict the practice.
The new law will take effect 14 days after publication, preventing the establishment of any new fur farms. Poland’s existing 200 farms must close by January 2034, with compensation encouraging many to shut down much earlier. Farmers who apply within the first five years will receive the highest payments, accelerating the decline of the industry.
Polish animal protection groups Otwarte Klatkiand Viva!have campaigned for years to end fur farming, and Humane World for Animals Europe has worked alongside them as part of the Fur Free Alliance. Their combined efforts, bolstered by shifting public opinion and a global move away from real fur in fashion, helped drive this landmark victory.
Most leading designers now have fur-free policies, including brands such as Max Mara, Saint Laurent, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Valentino, Prada, Armani, Versace, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, DKNY, Burberry, and Chanel. In total, more than 1,600 fashion brands and retailers worldwide have committed to going fur-free. As real fur becomes increasingly unmarketable and ethically indefensible, more fashion houses are choosing to innovate with sustainable, cruelty-free alternatives.
As the fashion industry continues to move away from real fur, Poland’s ban marks a powerful step toward a cruelty-free future for fashion. We will continue urging the rest of the world to follow suit and #MakeCompassionYourFashion.
Dear readers of my blog. I have moments that the animal cruelty happening all over the world has such a terrible impact on me that I feel sick to the stomach. It is important to show the world the animal suffering and I will continue in Dutch or in English and fortunately Google gave me a good translation but if at any time you find you can't sleep having read one of these horror story's put it aside and please never let children see the videos. Kind Regards,, Erna. blogger living in the Netherlands
This weekend, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)and Ohio authorities completed a rescue operation of hundreds of animals from a fur and urine farm near Cleveland, Ohio.
The Ashtabula County Commissioner’s Office requested the assistance of HSUS after the owner of Grand River Fur Exchange died in late December 2024, escalating an already-dire animal welfare crisis on the property.
Foxes, raccoons, wolf-dog hybrids, skunks, opossums, and coyotes were living in filthy wire-bottom cages with little to no protection from the frigid cold conditions. Some of the animals had missing toes, ears, tails, and limbs. Veterinarians determined that the animals likely lost their toes due to the cages’ wire flooring, while the animals missing limbs and paws had likely been caught in steel-jaw leg hold traps found around the property. Many were emaciated and severely dehydrated, and several animals were found deceased and covered in snow. When responders arrived on the property, they found a coyote dying slowly, caught in a leg hold trap.
The animals were being raised and slaughtered for their fur, bred for sale as exotic pets, and held captive for urine farming. Predator urine is used in hunting, trapping, dog training, and ironically, as a “humane” wild animal deterrent for gardeners. Some of the animals were bred in captivity while others were apparently imprisoned on the property after being trapped in excruciatingly painful leg hold traps.
“This is one of the most horrific situations I have ever seen—the terror and pain was palpable,” said Adam Parascandola, vice president of HSUS’ Animal Rescue Team. “Our team is exposed to immense cruelty in the criminal cases we regularly respond to, like dogfighting and severe neglect, yet this stands out both in terms of suffering and because of these fur farming practices. It’s haunting.”
Animals in the fur trade suffer immensely, both in their daily lives and when they are killed. They are often killed using methods like gassing, anal electrocution, or clubbing, which result in slow, painful deaths. These methods are commonly used on fur farms to prevent damage to the pelt. Responders found electrocution tools on the property.
In the U.S., there are no federal regulations related to the welfare, care, or slaughter of animals farmed for their fur. While Grand River Fur Exchange was licensed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio does not have laws or standards of care for fur farms or slaughter. In fact, New York’s ban on anal and genital electrocution of foxes is the only state-level law on fur farm welfare.
“Ohio must end the suffering of wild animals being farmed for fur or urine, or to be sold as pets. These inherently exploitative industries profit from animal cruelty and are radically out of step with the values of our state,” said Mark Finneran, Ohio state director for HSUS. “While I’m proud of the efforts made to help the animals on this farm, we can never allow this horrific treatment of animals to happen in Ohio again.”
For several weeks, responders from HSUS dedicated themselves to the daily care of animals on the property. They worked alongside Ohio authorities to facilitate the placement of these animals with licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers and accredited sanctuaries across the country. The rescue operation reached its conclusion on January 25th, with the removal of the final groups of animals from the site.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the HSUS for stepping in to assist our county with this animal welfare case. The situation arose right around Christmas, during some of the worst possible weather conditions, and we simply didn’t have the local resources to manage it effectively or ensure the animals were cared for humanely,” said Casey Kozlowski, Ashtabula County Commissioner. “Their significant logistical support, along with the efforts of our county humane agents and the ODNR Wildlife Division, made all the difference. I can’t thank them enough for their collaboration. My hope is that, as a result of this situation, we can implement greater safeguards at the state level to promote and ensure the humane treatment of animals in the future.”
While fur farms fly under the radar of state and federal oversight, this case serves as a disturbing example of an operator subject to federal inspection slipping through the cracks. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for licensing and inspecting operations that breed wild animals to be sold as pets, such as the wolf-hybrids and skunks bred for sale as pets by Grand River Fur Exchange. In 2011, the USDA fined and prohibited the operator from engaging in the breeding and sale of wild animals, yet they continued to engage in those practices, apparently without further enforcement.
“Humane Society International has investigated fur farms around the globe, and animal suffering and filth like we saw on this property are constants,” said PJ Smith, director of fashion policy for HSUS. “The U.S. fur trade has long operated in the shadows with zero oversight, and it’s very rare to see inside a U.S. fur farm, let alone be able to rescue the animals. You simply can’t put wild animals in a cage for their entire lives and expect anything but a nightmare, and this fur farm is just another example of what the declining fur trade doesn’t want you to see.”
Documents found on the property indicate the owner sold pelts to Fur Harvesters Auction, the last remaining fur auction house in North America. Fur from the auction is sold globally and is used for home decor and fashion products, such as fur-pom hats and trim on gloves or shoes.
Due to the dire circumstances on the property, including severe injuries and illness, some of the animals were humanely euthanized during the course of the rescue operation. Ultimately, more than 250 animals rescued from the property were successfully placed with wildlife rehabilitators and in sanctuaries.
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