I have always had a distaste for people who wear fur. A fashion statement that was once reserved for the rich and wealthy, fur is now more accessible than ever for consumers from all income levels.

Margo Paine, middle, joins dozens of animals rights activists as they protest at Los Angeles City Hall. A proposal to ban the sale of fur products advanced in the City Council on Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-fur-ban-2...

Last week citizens in Los Angeles took a giant step forward in the growing movement to ban animal cruelty in the fur industry. The LA City Council unanimous 12-0 vote sent a clear message to the fur industry: we will no longer support the cruel and inhumane practices animals endure. LA will be the largest city in the U.S. to join the anti-fur ban, joining other large cities and famous designers who have stated they will no longer use animal fur in their designs.

Celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, outspoken animal rights activist and supporter of the anti-fur movement shocked the world when she posed for a PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) campaign

Pamela Anderson poses for animal rights.

Anderson uses her celebrity status and position as honorary director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to share a positive example that stylish designs don't include killing animals for fur. Anderson is so passionate about spreading the anti-fur message, she even sent faux fur coats to Melania Trump and Kim Kardashian along with a note asking them to set an example for millions of people by not wearing fur. Yes – you read that right. Pamela Anderson persuaded two of the most famous and powerful women in the world to stop wearing fur.

Fur that is used in clothing and accessories comes from 2 main sources: animals raised on factory fur farms or caught in the wild.

Up to 85% of the fur in circulation today comes from factory fur farms. Chinchillas, rabbits, minks, and foxes known to roam up to 2,500 acres in the wild are confined in small wire cages no bigger than a piece of notebook paper. These crates are stacked in multiple rows, mainly outside with no cover to block out harsh weather conditions.

Animals exposed to these conditions begin to develop psychotic behaviors such as self-mutilation, cannibalism and constant pacing referred to as "cage stress". The deplorable treatment of these Animals on fur farms live their entire lives in inhumane conditions until the time they are brutally killed by such methods as electrocution and being skinned alive.

After fur farms, the next source of fur is obtained by trapping wild animals. By far, the most commonly used method of trapping is a "leghold trap". Multiple traps are set in specific locations and it may be days before a hunter returns. Over 1 in 4 animals caught in leghold traps will succeed in amputating their limbs by chewing and biting them. When the hunter returns the animal is killed violently, usually by clubbing or by standing on the chest and neck until it stops breathing. The cruelty inflicted on animals in leg hold traps has been deemed "inhumane" by the American Veterinary Medical Association. 90 countries and multiple states have banned the use of leghold traps.

Animals caught in leg hold traps suffer for days.&exph=415&expw=650&q=fox+in+leg+h

It can take up to 100 animals to make a single coat. Ultimately fur farmers are in the business of making money. Removing the fur from an animal without damaging the fur is the most economical way to ensure this. Methods such as breaking necks, skinning animals alive and electrocution by placing a metal road in the mouth and anus of an animal cause extreme pain and suffering and are considered acceptable by common industry standards.

In an industry that boasts over $35 billion in sales and employers over a million people the growing movement to ban fur is seen as a negative impact on industry growth. The Fur Information Council of America adamantly denies any accusations of mistreatment of animals. Despite the evidence of cruel and inhumane treatment of animals used in the fur industry, there are no federal laws offering any kind of protection

Kim K. loved the coral faux mink coat Anderson sent and in a Snapchat she wrote: "This coat is faux fur. That's my new thing, faux."

When we purchase an item made with fur, we are paying these companies to abuse defenseless animals in horrific ways. The ban on fur is set to begin early fall 2018. The fur industry will have two years to phase out their existing inventory of fur apparel including clothing and accessories. There are several aspects of the ban that include specific issues such as religious practices that need to be worked thought, but for now, let's celebrate the step that LA has taken and supported other groups that are considering the same decision.