On fur farms, which produce 95% of global fur products, millions of animals are subjected to horrific treatment, cramped conditions, poor hygiene, stress, injuries and disease, minimal veterinary care, and lack of genetic diversity. The appalling conditions means that disease can readily spread through a population, making them a ticking time bomb for pandemic disease risk.

Since April 2020, major COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred on fur farms. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been detected on more than 440 mink fur farms across Europe and North America. For more details on the link between fur and zoonoses, read our latest report below.