PETITION TARGET: House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Chair Tracey Mann
Minks raised for fur spend their entire lives trapped in tiny, filthy cages before being forced into gas chambers where they slowly suffocate to death. Beyond the immense suffering these animals endure, the deplorable conditions they inhabit have also helped fuel numerous COVID-19 outbreaks on mink farms across the U.S.
A recently reintroduced federal bill, called the Mink VIRUS Act, could prevent outbreaks like these, protect public health, and spare countless mink lives by banning mink farming in the United States.
If passed, H.R. 2185 would prohibit mink farming for fur a year after the bill is enacted and provide financial assistance to mink farmers leaving the industry. Beginning 90 days after the bill’s enactment, farmers will also be required to employ the most current American Veterinary Medical Association euthanasia guidelines when killing mink.
Given how susceptible mink are to contracting and spreading human and avian influenza viruses — and how overcrowded, stressful farm conditions amplify that risk — ending mink farming is a crucial step toward preventing future pandemics.
These sensitive and intelligent beings would no longer be condemned to spend their entire lives in cramped cages and brutally killed for their fur.
Please sign our petition urging the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Chair to back this critical bill to protect public health and save mink from senseless suffering and death.
