merino lambs

Working Together For Compassion in Fashion 

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Merino lamb

Wear It Kind Industry Newsletter

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Industry Information and Tools

FOUR PAWS is committed to working with industry to achieve long-lasting change for animals. We highlight the problems and help to identify solutions, learning together as we go, on the path towards a truly responsible and ethical fashion industry which values animal welfare.

Our work to achieve an animal-friendly fashion future is guided by FOUR PAWS Key Principles.

  • Companies should aim to achieve a high standard of animal welfare, by working to fulfil the General Welfare Aims of the Five Domains model.
  • Traceability and transparency is vital, and brands should utilise the best animal welfare certifications available.
  • Wild animals should not be used for textiles.
  • Efforts should be made to significantly reduce the use of animal-derived materials.

Put simply: Refine, Reduce, Replace.
These principles are further set out and discussed in FOUR PAWS Animal Welfare Policy Guidelines for Fashion Brands and Retailers. See below for more resources, developed by FOUR PAWS for a kinder fashion future.

ANIMAL WELFARE RESOURCES

Support for brands and retailers

POLICY GUIDANCE

The FOUR PAWS policy development guides can assist brands in developing effective animal protection frameworks.

Animal Welfare Policy Development Guidelines in Textiles

Animal Welfare Policy Development Guidelines in Textiles

For brands choosing to continue using animal-derived materials, FOUR PAWS encourages the swift development or strengthening of existing animal welfare policies. These should include a robust vision, goals, and an implementation plan, all aimed at achieving the highest possible animal welfare standards. The FOUR PAWS policy development guidelines can assist brands in developing these essential animal protection plans and contain guidance per animal-derived material.

Transitioning away from mulesed wool. A guide on why and how

Transitioning away from mulesed wool. A guide on why and how

Featuring interviews with brand sustainability managers who have committed to move away from live lamb cutting (mulesing), including fashion powerhouses H&M, Kathmandu and Espirit, the wool guidebook presents information on what lamb cutting is, the solutions, and a roadmap as to how to transition away from mulesed wool within your supply chains.

REPORTS

Find FOUR PAWS latest reports about the state of animal welfare in textiles or issue specific research collated here.

Lamb inside a stable

Lamb Mortality and Live Lamb Cutting (Mulesing)

Help to end the suffering of millions of Australian lambs used for fashion

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A flock of sheep in South Africa

Animal Welfare in Fashion Report 2023

Towards a truly ethical and transparent fashion industry

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Taming Fashion Report Series 2023

Taming Fashion Report Series

Our report series outlines why reducing the use of animals is crucial for a truly sustainable fashion industry.

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Stack of wool sweaters

Animal Welfare in Fashion Report 2021

FOUR PAWS 2021 report shows that while good progress is being made fashion brands need to step up for animals.

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Two foxes in a cage

New Scientific Report on Fur Farming

Animal welfare needs cannot be met.

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Merino sheep with horns

Economic study on transitioning to non-mulesed sheep

A new independent survey of 97 woolgrowers across Australia shows producers achieving higher profitability, operational viability, and improvements on animal welfare after their transition to plain-bodied sheep.

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CASE STUDIES

FOUR PAWS aims to help facilitate information sharing amongst industry to expediate change for animals. The below case studies provide an insight into company decision making processes, learnings and examples of positive change.

Don Mudford and his sheep

Parkdale SRS® Case Study

Family-owned wool grower  Parkdale SRS® shows that breeding healthier and happier sheep is not only an innovative choice but a profitable one. Learn about their transition to breeding flystrike resistant sheep. 

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Mumblebone Case Study

Mumblebone Case Study

An Australian wool grower committed to breeding healthy sheep, making live lamb cutting (mulesing) obsolete and significantly reducing lamb mortality.

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Esprit | Brand Case Study on Wool

Esprit case study

 Esprit's future focus is on animals, people, and the planet. This includes transitioning to certified wool free from lamb cutting.

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Woman in a outerwear vest standing in a flower field

Pangaia Case Study

Learn more about Pangaia's journey to develop high-quality outerwear using cruelty-free next-gen materials.

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Chloé store in Paris, France

Chloé Case Study

Learn more about Chloé's commitment to animal welfare as part of their wider sustainability strategy.

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Sheep in a field

Ortovox Case Study

Learn more about Ortovox's transition to certified wool free from lamb cutting.

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FACT SHEETS

It’s important for brands to have a good understanding of the ethical factors of a material when considering their potential use. The fact sheets below contain both general information on each material as well as FOUR PAWS recommendations.

FOUR PAWS INITIATIVES WITH BRANDS

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Brands against Mulesing

Brands against Live Lamb Cutting (Mulesing)

Hope for stopping the cruel mutilation of merino lambs

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Fur Free Retailer Logo

Fur Free Retailer 

Did you know that our Australian office is the official representative of the Fur Free Retailer programme? If you’re interested in knowing more - contact us!

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Sheep in Australia

Sign the Brand Letter of Intent on Live Lamb Cutting (Mulesing)

Textile brands are moving away from mulesed sheep wool and calling for a more ethical mulesing-free wool industry

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Flock of sheep

Need Any Support?

Then do not hesitate to get in touch via email at wearitkind@four-paws.org

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