It’s California, after all, so take that for what it’s worth. But the Golden State will be the first in the U.S. to ban not just trapping, but also the sale and manufacture of nearly all new fur products. The same bill, signed Oct. 12 by Gov. Gavin Newsom, also bans the use of most live animals in circuses.
The fur law bans the sale and manufacture of clothing, shoes or handbags with fur starting in 2023.
Newsom had already signed another bill that bans all trapping of live animals in California for fur. Los Angeles and San Francisco already had banned the sale of fur.
Animal rights groups praised the new law while the fur industry is threatening to sue. The law has up to $1,000 in fines for violations.
"California is a leader when it comes to animal welfare, and today that leadership includes banning the sale of fur," Newsom said in a statement. "But we are doing more than that. We are making a statement to the world that beautiful wild animals like bears and tigers have no place on trapeze wires or jumping through flames."
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The fur ban doesn't include items used for religious or tribal purposes. It also doesn't apply to leather, dog and cat fur, cowhides, deer, sheep and goat skin and anything preserved through taxidermy.
The circus bill doesn't ban the use of dogs or cats or include rodeos.
