Cat fur found in kids' vest sold as '100% sheepskin' in Australia; forensic tests expose mislabeled items; sparks outrage
A children's vest sold as "100 per cent Australian sheepskin or wool" has turned out to be actually made from domestic cat and rabbit fur, setting off alarm bells among animal rights groups calling for a statewide ban.
The shocking discovery was confirmed through forensic testing by UK-based fibre analysis firm Microtex, which revealed that the vest, sold by fashion brand Suttons UGG at a Melbourne shopping centre—was actually made using the fur of domestic cats and rabbits, as per reports.
The investigation, led by advocacy group Collective Fashion Justice in collaboration with the Animal Justice Party, also uncovered two beanies with pom-poms being sold at Queen Victoria Market, which were falsely labelled as 100% acrylic.
Testing revealed they contained fox and raccoon dog fur.
The findings have prompted animal welfare organisations and the Animal Justice Party to demand a complete prohibition on fur sales across the state.
"Every Victorian would be shocked to know that they could go to the store and accidentally buy something made from cat fur, when they may have a cat at home themselves," Collective Fashion Justice founder Emma Hakansson said.
In a statement to the ABC, Suttons UGG, which operates retail stores in Sydney and Melbourne, admitted the label on the vest was "wrong."
A spokesperson said the manufacturer had described the material as a "kind of special fur," but the company could not "100 per cent confirm" whether it included cat fur.
Earlier this year, the Australian Fashion Council implemented restrictions, prohibiting fur, wild-animal skins, and wild feathers from fashion shows.
In 2004, the Australian government enacted legislation prohibiting cat and dog fur imports and exports. A Consumer Affairs Victoria study in 2020 examining fur product labelling revealed inaccuracies in all independently tested items.
Following these findings, warnings were issued to fur retailers.
According to Sky News, Georgie Purcell, the Animal Justice Party MP representing Northern Victoria, has requested authorities to implement a complete ban on fur sales saying, "Consumers could be out there buying this, and then going out and wearing domestic cats."
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