Clothing/Cosmetics and Animal Abuse Article from All-Creatures.org

Busted! California Stores Illegally Selling Fur

From LCA Last Chance for Animals
July 2024

On January 1, 2023, California became the first U.S. state to ban the sale and manufacture of new fur products. This landmark legislation also made it illegal for retailers to sell fur online to California residents. Some furriers and retailers believe they are above the law and continue selling fur in violation of the ban.

ACTION: Tell the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to Enforce the Historic California Fur Ban!

A new undercover investigation released by LCA unveils a significant breach of the California fur ban through a detailed investigation narrated by renowned musician and animal activist Rikki Rockett. The investigation, spanning several months, has identified multiple retailers in the Los Angeles area fragrantly violating the state's fur ban.

On January 1, 2023, California became the first U.S. state to ban the sale and manufacture of new fur products. This landmark legislation also made it illegal for retailers to sell fur online to California residents.

Some furriers and retailers believe they are above the law and continue selling fur in violation of the ban. LCA, and other animal advocates, worked long and hard to pass the historic California law, and we will not sit idly by while stores ignore and break the law.

INVESTIGATION DETAILS

During 2023 and 2024, LCA investigated furriers and retailers in Los Angeles and surrounding areas to determine if new fur was being sold in violation of California's fur ban. Since the fur ban was implemented, LCA has documented far too many retailers stealthily skirting the law. One furrier even remarked to LCA's investigator, "The law won't stop me."

Undercover investigators documented the following businesses breaking the law (with more to come):

SURFAS LTD. FURRIERS - TUSTIN, CA
In September 2023, LCA won a lawsuit against Surfas Ltd. Furriers for selling new fur products. The case was settled out of court. Surfas agreed to "immediately cease any unlawful sales" and reimburse attorney fees and costs. This was the first successful lawsuit upholding the historic California fur ban. LCA's lawsuit stopped Surfas from continuing to illegally sell fur.

BIZAKIS FURS - TUSTIN, CA
In November 2023, LCA sued Bizakis Furriers for selling new fur. This case is ongoing, with a court date set for December 2024.

STEFANO RICCI - BEVERLY HILLS, CA, FLAGSHIP STORE
In January 2024, LCA sent a cease-and-desist letter to Stefano Ricci demanding they stop selling new fur in their Beverly Hills store and online to California residents. Stefano Ricci immediately informed LCA that all new fur products would no longer be sold in their Beverly Hills store. On 2/1/2024, Stefano Ricci stopped illegal online fur sales to California consumers.

FURS BY LAFAYETTE - SANTEE ALLEY, LOS ANGELES, CA
LCA investigator documented illegal new fur sales in November 2023. After multiple follow-up visits to the location, Furs by LaFayette appeared to be closed permanently.

MINK PALACE - MONTEREY PARK, CA
LLCA investigator documented illegal new fur sales in November 2023, but after multiple follow-up visits to the location, Mink Palace appears to be closed permanently.

LCA IS BUSTING MORE STORES SELLING NEW FUR AND WE WILL BE RELEASING THOSE NAMES SOON. 

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Posted on All-Creatures.org: September 26, 2024
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