San Francisco on Tuesday became the largest US city to ban sales of fur as a way to protect animals.
The vote by the Board of Supervisors in the politically liberal California city was 10-0.
Humane Society International hailed the vote, saying ‘this is an exciting and historic vote both for animals and compassionate consumerism, and we hope that the world is watching.’
Two smaller California cities — West Hollywood and Berkeley — have already banned sales of fur.
Bans on fur sales and imports exist in India and Brazil’s Sao Paulo, HSI said on its blog.
In this photo taken Friday, March 16, 2018, Benjamin Lin holds up a fur coat at the B.B. Hawk showroom in San Francisco. San Francisco become the largest U.S. city to ban the sale of fur items
West Coast Leather’s vintage fox trimmed leather dress by North Beach Leather is displayed in the basement of West Coast Leather in San Francisco on Thursday, March 15, 2018
San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voted to ban the sale of fur by 10-0
Two Italian fashion houses, Versace and Furla, under pressure from HSI, recently announced they would no longer use fur, joining other designers who have made such a pledge — Armani, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Gucci.
Katy Tang, the San Francisco supervisor who sponsored the fur ban bill, said each year an estimated 50 million animals ‘are slaughtered in gruesome ways so that we can wear their fur and look fashionable.’
‘My hope is that it will send a strong message to the rest of the world,’ she said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Retailers said they were worried about the ban, which will take effect on January 1.
Katy Tang, the San Francisco supervisor who sponsored the fur ban bill, said each year an estimated 50 million animals ‘are slaughtered in gruesome ways’ for fashion
Humane Society International hailed the vote, saying ‘this is an exciting and historic vote both for animals and compassionate consumerism, and we hope that the world is watching’
‘This is big business for us in Union Square. This will seriously impact us,’ said Karen Flood, executive director of the Union Square Business Improvement District.
Following the announcement, other animal activist groups rejoiced in the city’s decision.
PETA wrote to Twitter: ‘BREAKING: #SanFrancisco has banned fur! They are the first major US city to ban fur sales. Everyone is realizing that #FurIsDead.’
The Humane Society of the United States also said: ‘This is a historic victory for millions of animals cruelly confined and killed for the fur on their backs!’
Wayne Hsiung, co-founder of animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere, said in a statement that ‘this historic act will usher in a new wave of animal rights legislation across the globe.’
San Francisco, named for the patron saint of animals, has a reputation for a strong social conscience, often at a cost to businesses.
Its board banned the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco, which voters will consider in June.
In 2016, San Francisco approved what was then a groundbreaking paid parental leave law, requiring private employers to offer six weeks of fully paid leave.