the final nail
news & updates
Gengel Mink Farm has closed
After 65 years in operation, and the slaughter of too many mink to count, we can confirm that the Gengel mink farm in Lake Villa, Illinois has closed. Ron Gengel was an important figure in the mink industry, serving as president of Fur Commission USA for many years....
Mink farm property redeveloped
The City of Coalville, Utah has approved plans to redevelop the property where the Black family mink farm was located. The mink sheds were recently taken down. For decades, the farm operated next to the county rodeo arena. Because of the mink next door, it was...
Fox farm no longer operating
Activists have confirmed that Fox Valley Foxes in Prophetstown, Illinois is no longer operating. That leaves two, maybe three, fox fur farms remaining in Illinois, and both have recently been visited by the Animal Liberation Front: Aeschleman Fur in Roanoke, IL (80+...
Mink released from cages at Iowa fur farm
The Harrison County Sheriff and local news media are reporting that many foxes and mink were released from cages at the Tremel fur farm (pictured) in Woodbine, Iowa early in the morning of October 21.
Mike Brown knows a thing or two about controversial industries
Mike Brown used to work in public relations for tobacco companies, and is now representing the International Fur Federation. In this video clip, Mike attempts to comfort mink farmers at the Fur Commission USA annual meeting. There are a shrinking number of mink farms,...
The Dixon mink farm in Bluffdale, Utah will not be reopening
The Dixon mink farm in Bluffdale, Utah will not be reopening. Bryce Dixon's application for a business license to operate a fur farm has been denied by the city. Because of changes to the zoning code, mink farming is no longer a permitted use of the property. The...
New manufacturer of vaccines for mink industry
At the recent Fur Commission USA annual meeting we learned that Vaxxinova, an international company with U.S. headquarters in Worthington, Minnesota, is the newest (and currently only) company to manufacture vaccines to protect against diseases common on fur farms....
Are there two mink farms operating in Pennsylvania?
At their recent annual meeting, Fur Commission USA reported having two member farms in the state. Among the meeting's attendees were John Stahl, co-owner of a mink farm in the city of Sunbury, and Lee DeMatteis, a member of the family that operated the Oakwood Mink...
USDA discontinuing annual survey of mink pelt production
The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service is discontinuing its annual survey of mink pelt production and sales. The mink farming industry has shrunk so much that it's not worth the effort and expense to collect the data. That's more bad news for the...
Foxes released from cages at Illinois farm
On Monday night, more than 25 foxes were released from cages at the Littig Fox Farm (pictured) in Bluffs, Illinois.
69 mink farms remaining in the U.S.
Earlier this year in testimony before state legislative committees, Fur Commission USA Executive Director Challis Hobbs claimed, "mink farming in the U.S. supports over 100 family farms." It turns out that he had rounded up significantly! Here's a slide from Challis'...
European Union scientific report on welfare of animals kept for fur production
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is an agency of the European Union that was set up to provide independent scientific advice to policy makers. In 2023 the agency committed to identifying the most relevant welfare issues for mink, foxes, raccoon dogs and...
What was once the world’s largest fur auction house now sits empty
Kopenhagen Fur's enormous headquarters outside Copenhagen, Denmark-- including auction hall, warehouse, and design studio-- is for sale. The building opened in 1963, and hosted its final fur auction in 2024.
Circle R Fox Ranch in Bellville, Ohio is closed
We can now confirm that the Circle R Fox Ranch in Bellville, Ohio is closed. Watchtowers were often built on fox farms so the farmer could observe the animals without disturbing them, particularly during breeding season. At this farm, the tower used to overlook...
Less than 100,000 mink pelts “produced” on Utah mink farms
For the first time since at least 1970, the number of mink pelts "produced" on Utah mink farms has dropped below 100,000, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The number of mink farms in the state has declined along with pelt production. The...