A Chinese womenswear brand with more than two million followers has faced a public backlash after a fur collar listed on its online store was allegedly made from cat skin.
On October 10, social media users raised concerns over products sold by CHICYOU, prompting calls for a boycott. The brand issued an apology later that evening, confirming that testing had identified cat fur in a brownish-yellow collar sample. The products have since been removed from sale.
According to the original product listing, the new fur collars were available in three colours. The white and black versions were described as being made from 100% fox fur, while the brown-and-tan version was listed as 100% tabby cat fur.
The product description reportedly stated that the brown-and-tan collar was made using fur from a tabby cat’s back.
In its apology, CHICYOU said the product had been custom-made by a partner factory and was originally scheduled to go on sale at 10pm on October 11. Before the launch, the brand had only created a pre-sale product page as part of its preparations.
The company said it received feedback from a testing agency on the morning of October 10, confirming that the black and white samples contained fox fur, while the brownish-yellow sample contained cat fur. This did not meet the brand’s original requirement for fox fur.
CHICYOU attributed the controversial product description to staff who had entered material and manufacturing details into the product page before the information had undergone the brand’s final review. The company said the details were irregular and had been published prematurely.
After discovering the discrepancy, the brand said it immediately removed the product listings and suspended production and sales arrangements for the items in question.
It also announced a donation to an organisation that rescues stray animals and pledged to continue supporting animal welfare initiatives.
Attempts by reporters to contact the company by phone were unsuccessful as of publication.
A review of domestic e-commerce platforms found that several have prohibited the sale of cat and dog fur and products made from them under their self-regulatory rules. Penalties may include product removal and deductions from a seller’s store rating, while more serious violations could result in frozen payments and contractual fines.
Lin Xiaoming, a partner at Sichuan Shangyi Law Firm, explained that China currently has no specific legislation directly prohibiting the use of domestic cat and dog fur in clothing.
However, under China’s Animal Epidemic Prevention Law, cat and dog skins are classified as animal-derived products, meaning their processing, circulation and sale are subject to quarantine declaration requirements. Relevant agricultural authorities may impose fines based on the value of the goods if they have not undergone the required quarantine procedures.
Lin added that if the fur came from stolen or illegally killed pets, the circumstances could potentially amount to theft if the legal requirements were met. Those who knowingly purchase, process or sell fur obtained through criminal activity could also face charges involving the concealment or disposal of criminal proceeds.
He said e-commerce platforms had prohibited such products based on public morality and social norms, with violators potentially facing product removals, security deposit deductions, store closures or permanent removal from the platforms.
Lin stressed that businesses must comply with legal requirements while also respecting public sentiment and broader social standards.
