The first city in the U.S. to ban sales of furs used in clothing, West Hollywood follows on the heels of an attempt which failed last year in Israel to make it a national law banning such sales. The irony is that the Fur Information Council of America, a fur industry promoter, has its national headquarters in West Hollywood! While Californians have increasingly chilled on the warmth of a fur coat, there are several Chinchilla farms, and other types of fur farms in the state, though their numbers are decreasing and heading toward extinction.

In a one page letter presented by the West Hollywood City Council recently, June 30, 2012 was set as the date for implementing a ban, with the exception of vintage clothing store sales. The city seeks to be known “as a destination for cruelty-free and animal welfare events and the promotion of West Hollywood as the Humane Capital of the United States.”

Citing statistics provided by PETA, West Hollywood’s official statement mentions the city’s commitment to civil rights, human rights and animal rights, one of its most cherished legacies.

“The City of West Hollywood has consistently worked to enact cutting edge animal welfare legislation, both locally and across California. The City of West Hollywood was the first City in the United States to outlaw cat declawing; adopted a resolution supporting Proposition 2, which led to a statewide standard in the caging of chickens; as well as a new ordinance banning the retail sale of dogs and cats in companion animal stores in West Hollywood. ”

Historically, furs and fur trapping created one of the biggest land and sea rushes to California before gold was discovered. California proved to be a vast, rich area for fur traders, but long before these immigrants came, native Americans used furs for clothing, jewelry, ceremonial items, and all sorts of applications. Fur provided a source of warmth and protection, allowing humans to live through harsh winters. Dana Point in Orange County is named after a famous merchant who traded furs along the coast, Richard Henry Dana. In the late 19th Century through the 20th Century fur garments were a status symbol in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills & West Hollywood, and still are in many places in the U.S. and the world.

A clothier in West Hollywood commented that it’s not easy to sell furs in L.A., however, where fur coats are just too darned hot for customers to wear. Internationally, Global retail sales of fur increased 5.4% in 2010, bringing the total figure to over $14 billion, according to the leading authority on fur, the International Fur Trade Federation. Furs are extremely popular in the Asian markets, and many leading fashion designers continue to roll fur apparel onto the runway shows, received with oohs and aahs by fashion critics and buyers. An affordable, used fur coat can cost around $2,000 (many are offered for sale on EBay) while a premier fur garment such as the Lynx coat shown costs over $40,000.

Major fur clothing sellers are located in Colorado and New York where temperatures often dip below freezing in the winter cold, and some such sellers have adopted a fur campaign promoting fur as a “green” product that’s natural.

FUR IS GREEN CAMPAIGN: “At a time when we are more conscious of how our lifestyles affect nature, fur is an excellent choice. Fur is a natural product, a true gift of nature. Fur is: Renewable, Durable & long-lasting, Reusable, recyclable, Biodegradable, Energy & Resource efficient,” according to the fur industry promotions.

West Hollywood city council also voted to ban single use plastic bags. However, Go-go Dancing is officially approved as part of the proud heritage of the city where Whiskey A Go-Go helped launch numerous rock musicians and bands to fame.