Watch out, creeping fur!

Where do things stand now?

The article below is some years old. Much has changed since then. But the warning still holds: real fur is often hidden in collars, hood trims and key rings.

What has changed

Fur farming bans. Many European countries now ban fur farming, among them the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Norway and the Netherlands (since 2021).
Fur sales bans. In 2021 Israel became the first country to ban the sale of fur for fashion. California followed in 2023.
EU. In 2023 more than 1.5 million EU citizens signed the citizens' initiative "Fur Free Europe" for an EU-wide ban. In September 2026 the European Commission had still not decided.
Labels. Since 2011 clothing in the EU must say that it "contains non-textile parts of animal origin". The species does not have to be named. In the United States the label must name the animal and the country of origin, also on small items such as gloves and hats (Truth in Fur Labeling Act, 2010).
Dog and cat fur may no longer be imported into the United States (since 2000) or the EU (since 2009).

How to recognise real fur

Blow or push the hairs aside. Real fur has leather skin underneath. Fake fur has a woven fabric.
Look at the tips. Real hairs taper to a point. Fake fibres are often equally thick all the way.
Does the label say "non-textile parts of animal origin"? Then it may be real fur.
In doubt? Leave it. For fur-free shops and brands, see Fur Free Retailer of the Fur Free Alliance.

Sources: FOUR PAWS (fur farming bans); Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection (2021); California Assembly Bill 44 (in force since 1 January 2023); European citizens' initiative Fur Free Europe (2023); Humane World for Animals (status of the EU decision, 2 September 2026); EU Textile Regulation 1007/2011; US Truth in Fur Labeling Act (2010); US Dog and Cat Protection Act (2000); EU Regulation 1523/2007. Updated on 6 October 2026.

The article by Joanna Swabe

Know what you are buying

Anyone who thought that fur had disappeared completely out of our society, should pay attention to this! Fur is making a comeback and it happens in a clever, sneaky way. No more flashy coats, but modest collars, sleeves and edges. 'Real' and 'fake' are mixed up. So it is necessary to be on your guard.

The text is written by Dr Joanna Swabe, 'Bont voor Dieren' (Dutch anti-fur organization): the article originally was published in 'Dier', magazine of the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals.

Fur's comeback

In the past few years the fur industry has made frantic efforts to make fur popular again. In order to encourage them to work with real fur, famous fashion designers and even students of fashion academies are provided with free pelts. Subsequently famous pop stars and actresses are dressed up by fashion designers in the latest fur creations; the aim is to stimulate the sale of fur even more. In this way fur is creeping into the collections again….

Deception

Smart girls fake it The fur industry is making huge efforts to make fur popular again. They do this, among other things, by providing misleading information about the origin and animal-friendliness of fur. This year the Dutch Fur Institute and the Dutch Federation for keepers of high-breed animals were convicted twice by the Advertising Standards Authority for misleading advertising.

Fur is made in the same way as it was done in the past: millions of minks, foxes, rabbits, chinchillas and raccoon dogs spend their short, sad lives in narrow cages, suffer from stress and boredom and are not able to show natural behaviour.

Fur from China

These days China is not only the largest producer, but also the most important exporter of fur clothing in the world. Recently the Swiss animal protectionists of Swiss Animal Protection (SAP) have visited a few breeding farms for furred animals in China. Their report is shocking. Apparently furred animals, like foxes and raccoon dogs, are bred under miserable conditions and often die in a horrible way. Besides, in China there is no legislation to protect the well-being of animals.

'Rabbit fur'

Much fur from China ends up in Dutch stores, but in the Netherlands there is no legal obligation to write on the product label that genuine fur was used and where it comes from, so the consumers have no guarantee at all about the origin of the product. Therefore it can happen that people who walk around wearing real fur presume that it is fake. Even if the animal species is mentioned, there are no guarantees. 'Rabbit fur' is often used as a cover for dog and cat fur. DNA tests, performed under the authority of the Dutch anti-fur organization 'Bont voor Dieren', have indisputably proved this.

The general public often presumes that rabbit fur is a by-product of rabbit meat for human consumption. Nothing is further from the truth. The fur industry is making such high demands on the means of production, that a residual product of the meat industry never can meet these requirements. Pelts of rabbits that are used in the fur industry do come from rabbit breeds that are especially bred for their fur.

Fortunately there are enough beautiful and warm alternatives for fur, for which not a single fur-bearing animal had to suffer. As a matter of principle, many fashion chains do not want to sell real fur and would love to see that their name is on the list of fur-free stores.

That concludes Swabe's report in 'Dier'

EU import ban

Clothes with dog and cat fur are not allowed to enter the European Union anymore. As from 1 January 2009 a European Union import ban has become effective. The European Commission proposed the ban in November 2006, after receiving 10,000 letters of protest and 200,000 signatures. The United States, Australia and Switzerland also have a similar import ban.