the final nail
news & updates
Bobcat fur farm closed
One of the last fur farms to exploit bobcats is most likely closed. Although Larry Schultz still has an active fur farm license with the State of Montana, recent aerial images show that all the outdoor pens at his farm in Roy have been taken down (see before and after...
Trending toward zero!
The data (mink "production" by state) in this chart from a recent article in The Oregonian newspaper is not new, but it's encouraging to see in a visual format.
Mink farm demolition
We love this promo video from a demolition company in Finland! We hope to see more scenes like this (mink farms torn down) in the U.S. https://vimeo.com/910887063
Suffering in a bottle
This footage was taken in November 2025 at Kaatz Bros., a fox fur farm in Savanna, Illinois. Animals at the farm are also exploited for their urine, which is used to create trapping lures and other products. Check out our action alert to learn how you can help shut...
Mink farming may be finished in Illinois
Last month, activists visited the only remaining mink farm in Illinois, the Monteleone Mink Ranch in Elgin. Although not all of the sheds were closely inspected, most were empty or in very bad shape, and the stacks of cages at the back of the property is a good sign!...
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.