Animal Cruelty on Chinese Fur Farms Exposed
Humane World for Animals Australia, formerly Humane Society International Australia, is urging Australian boutique retailers like Zjoosh to stop selling real fur. This follows a distressing exposé on May 22, 2026, uncovering severe animal cruelty at Chinese fur farms.
Investigations revealed shocking conditions at five fur farms in Qinhuangdao and Dandong, northern China. Thousands of mink, foxes, and raccoon dogs were confined in small cages measuring one square metre or less, causing psychological distress such as repetitive head bobbing and pacing.
Investigators witnessed horrific scenes, including mink being battered to death, their lifeless bodies found in pools of blood. One mink was seen writhing after being thrown by a worker. This revelation has intensified calls for retailers to implement fur-free policies.
Zjoosh and Other Retailers
Australia imported nearly A$100 million worth of fur from China over a five-year span starting in 2000. Zjoosh currently markets rabbit fur vests and key chains made in China. Despite global trends against fur, these practices persist, with Australian retailers still displaying fur garments.
Georgie Dolphin, the Programme Manager for Animal Welfare at Humane World for Animals Australia, stated, “It is high time these boutique stores followed the global movement that is removing animal cruelty from fashion.”
Globally, the fur industry has experienced a dramatic 86% decline in animals farmed for fur, decreasing from 140 million in 2014 to 20.5 million in 2024. In China, the fur trade has seen a 90% reduction in the number of animals kept and killed, dropping from 87 million in 2014 to 8 million in 2025, according to the China Leather Association.
Most leading designers, including Max Mara, Gucci, and Chanel, have adopted fur-free policies. Major Australian department stores have also committed to not selling real fur. Despite these positive changes, the practice continues in some sectors.
Humane World for Animals works tirelessly across the globe, targeting regions like the UK, Europe, North America, China, and Australia, to end the fur trade. Their efforts involve collaborations with designers, government campaigns, and educational initiatives, aiming to steadily reduce the number of animals affected by this cruel trade.
