How does your Council rate on fur? Access the database here..
Search for your local council or your local market. If there is a market we have missed (including privately run markets, send us a quick email and we’ll get on the case. Contact us at: info@respectforanimals.org)
Hats with real fur bobbles – just like this one – are being sold on local markets for as cheap as £10.
In recent years, it has become more common for real fur items, including bobble/pompom hats, to be sold at council-run markets- often at festive markets around Christmas time.
Due to a large number of complaints from members of the public, Respect for Animals is campaigning to make all UK markets ‘fur free’. On this page you will find information about individual Local Authority policies on selling real fur.
Why is this important?
We have found almost identical hats sold at different stalls on the same market for the same cheap price: one with a fake fur bobble, one with a real fur bobble.
Customers had no idea that they were buying products from the cruel and unnecessary fur trade.
The fact is imported fur can be very cheap – but this should not hide the extreme cruelty suffered by the animals it came from. This fur is often imported from China, where there is virtually no enforced animal welfare legislation.
What we are asking Local Authorities to do:
- refuse to allow real fur to be sold at council markets
- ratify an official Animal Welfare Charter
- Introduce and enforce the official Fur Free Markets policy
Here is our official Fur Free Markets policy:
[This Council] recognises that the United Kingdom has banned the farming of animals for their fur on ethical grounds since 2000 and the use of one of the most common traps used to catch animals for their fur has also been banned for many years.
Recognising that real fur is cruel and unnecessary, this Local Authority prohibits the selling of products containing real animal fur on council owned land, council run markets or council leased markets (including seasonal and Christmas markets). All products wholly or partially made with real fur are covered by this ban and include for example; fur coats, vintage fur, fur shawls, garments with fur trim, fur pompom hats, and fur accessories and trinkets.
- Write to your local councillors, asking them to sign up to Fur Free Markets. Find out who your councillors are here.
- View our template letter to councillors here.
Please encourage your council to sign up!
Are you responsible for council markets? Or are you a private market operator? Register your interest here and we’ll be in touch.
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