Please read the entire petition to learn about Nicolas’ story.

According to the New York Post assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) has introduced an anti-fur bill that would ban the manufacture and sale of all pelts in New York state by 2021.

This action would be one of the largest wins against the fur industry in the US today, and could set a precedent for other states to follow.

This ban would follow on the heels of several other major “end fur” movements, including a fur ban in LA California, a fur ban in the country of Norway, and the last fur farm closing ahead of schedule in the country of Germany. New York City is also looking at a proposed fur ban separately from the one being proposed at state level.  Designers like Coach, Burberry, Versace, Michael Kors, Gucci, Armani, Stella McCartney and more have chosen to move away from the use of fur.

The time is right- let’s act NOW to show that we support a full fur ban across the entire state of NY!

So who is “Nicolas the Mink”? Nicolas (AKA Nico) is a rescued fur-farm mink. Escaped from a fur farm in the western US, he found his way to a better life through luck and chance... and the hard work & dedication of many caring individuals. Born in a tiny wire cage to be slaughtered and skinned, Nico now lives a life where he can enjoy swimming, playing, and sleeping without fear, stress, or pain.

I have made this petition on his behalf. I have taken a stance against fur on his behalf. In getting to know Nicolas, I have gotten to know the animals that are slaughtered by the millions in the US every single year. These animals are not “products” to be filed away, warehoused in long low crowded sheds. These animals are curious and smart. They are not so far removed from the pets we cherish in our homes.

I have watched Nicolas play, swim, eat, problem solve. He has jumped up in my lap, he has fallen asleep as I scratch his back, he has curled up against me, he has brought me toys when he wants me to play with him. He has cocked his little head side to side and looked me right in the eye, watching, waiting. He learns. He feels. He thinks. How could anyone, ever, want to kill him?

Mink are an intelligent, powerful, semi-aquatic animal. They need space, they need enrichment for body and mind, they NEED access to swimming. Their love of water is deeply instinctual.

On fur farms, they live in small wire cages in massive long sheds. A single farm can raise more than 40 thousand mink- try to imagine walking a property with 40 thousand cats or small dogs.  All they know is a small space with wire flooring and a small nest box. The only water they know comes from a drinking system… there is no swimming, or even a place where they can dunk their heads.

As an active and intelligent animal, life in a tiny wire cage is stressing. Mink pace, weave their heads back and forth, obsessively lick and chew the bars. When housed together, the stress & close confinement often drives them to chew off their cage mate’s ears or tail. They will even self-mutilate their own tails.

The fur industry will try to tell you that this is a humane way to keep animals. The fur industry will try to tell you that they care about these millions of animals that they kill every year. They will explain everything they do to try to give these animals what they need. They will proudly say that they are stewards of excellent animal husbandry.

In reality, the average person would be prosecuted for keeping animals the way in which fur farmers do. The fur industry is protected by agricultural laws.

Please, in honor of Nicolas the Mink and all of his fellow mink, foxes, rabbits, chinchillas- speak up, use your voice, and ask New York state to set a historical precedent by banning the manufacture of fur!!