NEW YORK CITY — An overwhelming majority of residents support banning the sale of fur apparel in the city, a new poll released Friday shows.
The citywide survey, conducted by Mason-Dixon, found that 74% of Democrats, 71% of Republicans and 79% of independents support the sales prohibition.
The poll, released by a coalition of over 50 public-interest organizations, found that 75 percent of New York City voters support a bill (Intro 1476) introduced by Speaker Corey Johnson prohibiting the sales of fur apparel.
Worldwide, over 100 million animals are abused and killed for their fur every year. Whether raised on fur-farms in tiny wire cages or trapped from the wild with cruel leg-hold traps, fur-bearing animals -- including foxes, coyotes, wolves, otters, dogs, cats, and raccoon dogs -- have unimaginable cruelty inflicted upon them. Designers, retailers, and cities around the world are joining together in banning the sale of fur and shutting down fur farms due to the cruelties involved. In the past 18 months, Chanel, Phillip Lim, Jean Paul Gaultier, Coach, Burberry, Gucci, Michael Kors, and more, have all banned fur. Here in the US, the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco have recently banned the sale and manufacturing of fur, while cities and countries across Europe and Asia are seeking to do the same.
These poll numbers confirm the public overwhelmingly supports laws that protect animals.
“These polling results demonstrate that New Yorkers of all political persuasions oppose animal cruelty and overwhelmingly support a prohibition on the sale of fur apparel which, comes from tortured animals on fur farms and the wild,” said Allie Feldman Taylor, President of Voters for Animal Rights (VFAR). “It is common sense that ending the egregious practice of selling apparel made from abused animals is the right thing to do and 75% of NYC voters agree.”
“The results show that New York City needs to take action to catch up to what is clearly society’s sentiment, that cruelty is not fashionable. Showing compassion for animals, and all sentient beings, is one of the purest expressions of our humanity,’’ said Friends of Animals President Priscilla Feral. “We had no doubt that New York City residents agree that the morality of the issue is clear and cannot be set aside. NYC can be the ultimate fashion forward role model by passing this legislation.”
“The fur industry tortures and kills millions of fur-bearing animals each year. The tide is turning against this cruel industry: major fashion brands have committed to going fur-free; countries around the world have banned fur farms; and cities like San Francisco, West Hollywood, and Los Angeles have prohibited fur sales. Fur is a dying industry, and New York City is poised to become the largest city in the U.S. to ban the sale of fur! No doubt this will have a rippling effect across the entire country,” said Chris DeRose, Founder and President of Last Chance for Animals.
"As a fashion capital the entire globe looks to when deciding what to add to their closets, New York City has a responsibility to make it clear that animal brutality is never in style," said Lady Freethinker President Nina Jackel. "This long-overdue ban on fur sales will show the world that NYC remains a forward-thinking leader that other cities should aspire to emulate."
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