Industry information and tools
Support for brands and retailers

Alongside human rights and environmental protection, good animal welfare is a crucial component of ethical fashion.
Animal welfare issues and critical business risks can arise within any animal-based supply chain. Animals used by the textiles industry can be subjected to appalling living conditions, painful mutilations, long term mental stress, and much more. In today’s world, consumers care deeply about issues like these and therefore how brands value animals.
Tools and Reports
To assist brands, FOUR PAWS has developed tools to assist brands in overall animal welfare policy development and has also authored and commissioned several reports related to animal welfare in textiles.

World’s first report finds fashion critically lagging on animal welfare
New research from FOUR PAWS finds the fashion industry comes up short between what is said and what is delivered, with only 21% of brands tracing even a portion of animal-derived materials for animal welfare. It also lists the essential first steps brands need to take, including ultimately the development of a comprehensive animal welfare policy.

Animal Welfare Policy Development Guidelines in Textiles
or 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
Featuring interviews with brand sustainability managers who have already committed to moving away from mulesing, including fashion powerhouses H&M, Kathmandu and Espirit, the mulesing guidebook presents information for brands on what mulesing is, why it’s happening, what the viable pain-free alternatives to managing flystrike are, an overview of the key wool assurance initiatives and a road-map as to how to transition away from mulesed wool within your supply chains.

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. The report also includes 7 case studies to guide other sheep producers on their transition plan for a future without mulesing.