BUSTED! CALIFORNIA STORES ILLEGALLY SELLING FUR

July 29, 2024 - A new undercover investigation released by LCA unveils a significant breach of the California fur ban. The investigation, spanning several months, has identified multiple retailers in the Los Angeles area fragrantly violating the state's fur ban. TAKE ACTION HERE.

Watch and share the investigation video narrated by Rikki Rockett

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
  • LCA 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.

Illegal fur sales in CA	Illegal fur sales in CA	Illegal fur sales in CA	Illegal fur sales in CA
Illegal fur sales in CA	Illegal fur sales in CA	Stefano Ricci	Stefano Ricci
Illegal fur sales in CA	Illegal fur sales in CA	Fur farm	Fur farm
Fur farm	Fur farm	Fur farm	Fur farm
Fur farm	Fur farm	Finnish fur farm	Finnish fur farm

Before taking legal action, LCA reported the illegal fur sales to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the agency responsible for enforcing the ban, but no action was taken. If California authorities won't hold law-breaking businesses that harm animals accountable, LCA will.

LCA is committed to fighting the sale and manufacture of fur around the globe. On fur farms, millions of animals like mink, foxes, chinchillas, and raccoon dogs spend their entire lives in tiny wire cages, waiting to be murdered by electrocution or gas - all in the name of fashion.

Most consumers want nothing to do with the cruel fur trade, and major fashion brands have responded by announcing policies prohibiting the use of fur. Twenty countries throughout Europe have banned fur production because of animal cruelty and risks to the environment and public health. The country of Israel, the state of California, and 14 cities across the U.S. have banned fur sales to create a more compassionate economy.

LCA continues investigating California retailers to determine if they are adhering to the fur ban. LCA will not stop and will continue to bust stores that are breaking the law.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Go here to urge the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to enforce the California fur ban.

If you see new fur being sold in California or online to California residents, please report it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 310-271-6096 x27.

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