Fur farming is a niche industry in Saskatchewan. Fur farmers raise fur-bearing animals for pelts, fur products and breeding stock for other farms. Fur-bearing animals can only be kept with the approval of the Ministry of Environment through The Captive Wildlife Regulations or with a Fur Farm Animal Licence from the Ministry of Agriculture. All fur farm operators are licensed and regulated according to The Animal Production Regulations under The Animal Production Act. Licences must be renewed annually and costs $500 a year.
The trapping of wild fur animals and the purchase/sale of any wild fur animal products is regulated by the Ministry of Environment.
Fur farm animals are not for display or public viewing.
The following species are the only fur-bearing animals allowed to be farmed in Saskatchewan:
- Bobcat
- Coyote
- Eurasian lynx*
- Fisher
- Fox
- Lynx
- Mink
- Timber wolf
- Wolverine
*No new licence will be issued to any person wishing to raise Eurasian lynx. Only a transfer of licence from an existing Eurasian lynx-licensed producer will be accepted. Once transferred, the original Eurasian lynx producer will no longer be allowed to possess Eurasian lynx, as their licence for Eurasian lynx will be void.
Important: 2021 regulation change
Effective January 1, 2021, new pen size standards came into effect for all fur farm animals. The standards are found in the following documents:
- Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation, 4th edition (2012)
- Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Fox (Vulpes vulpes) (2013)
- Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Mink (2013)
Requirements
Pre-inspection is required before any fur farm animals will be allowed on site. Both the inspector and applicant must be present at the time of the inspection. The inspector may discuss other topics to ensure the applicant has the ability to properly care for the fur farm animals. This could include animal nutrition; emergency plans for escapes, fires or natural hazards; import/export of animals or products; or any other topics needed to gain an overall sense of the type of operation.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to meet the requirements or to make any changes necessary before any licence will be issued. No inspection will occur until the fee has been paid.
To discuss or obtain:
- Fur farm licensing – contact the Game Farm and Statistics Clerk at 306-787-4606.
- Import or export permits – contact the Animal Health Program Officer at 306-787-6469.
- General questions on fur farming and regulatory inquiries – contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Branch at 306-787-2150.