Finnish animal rights group Oikeutta Eläimille has obtained new alarming photos from fur farms in Finland. The footage shows extremely obese animals with severe eye infections, heavily folded skin and badly malformed feet. They are kept in small and barren wire mesh cages. According to veterinary experts, these conditions cause extreme suffering to the animals.

Last year, an investigation revealed the suffering of the animals. The new material proves that the breeding of these monster foxes continues in spite of international protests and media attention. Kristo Muurimaa from Oikeutta Eläimille says:

“The reason behind the suffering is the greed of the fur industry. Bigger skins mean more money to the farmers. The skins of these animals then end up being used as luxury items by fashion brands such as Burberry, Chanel and Prada.”

According to Oikeutta Eläimille, the obese foxes in the new footage are a norm rather than exceptions. In the latest fur auction in March, more than 50 % of the blue fox skins belonged to the biggest size category.

A study conducted in 2012 found, that the average weight of the farmed blue foxes in Finland was 19,4 kg. In the wild these animals weigh from
3 to 5 kg.

After the exposé last year, several international fashion brands have announced that they’ll stop using real fur. These companies include Gucci, Versace and Michael Kors. Furthermore, the city of San Francisco has banned the sales of fur in the city.

Kristo Muurimaa:

“The fur industry has become a disgrace for Finland and has put it’s reputation as an animal friendly country to shame. Our politicians are more interested in the money than the welfare of the animals.”