Victory! PETA Celebrates Launch of First-Ever Sheep-Free Vegan UGG Boots

For Immediate Release:
September 13, 2024

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Champagne corks are popping at PETA following the just-announced news that UGG is releasing its first-ever vegan UGG boots today. The launch is in collaboration with Collina Strada, which crafted the animal-friendly shoes using sugarcane, TENCEL, and recycled polyester microfiber. The announcement follows years of pressure from PETA and peta2—part of the group’s youth division—which has included purchasing stock in UGG’s parent company to push it to go vegan, viral social media campaigns, a heartfelt plea from PETA Honorary Director Pamela Anderson, a lively demonstration at an UGG anniversary party, and e-mails from more than 30,000 of the group’s members and supporters.

“UGG’s new vegan boots are a stepin the right direction that will help spare gentle sheep being pinned down and often cut and hit so that humans can steal the wool that belongs to them,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is celebrating this victory for sheep and urging UGG to give wool the boot by making all its footwear animal-friendly.”

In 2023, UGG removed claims from its website that baselessly assured customers that the animals whose skin, down, and wool were used for its products were treated humanely following a cease and desist letter from PETA. In 2021, the company launched an entirely vegan line of shoes (not UGGs) following a vigorous campaign by PETA and thousands of its supporters.

PETA entities’ investigations have uncovered cruelty to sheep at over 100 wool-industry operations worldwide—even on self-proclaimed “responsible” farms—where shearers have been seen punching, stomping on, and kicking sheep. Shearers are often paid by volume—not by the hour—which incentivizes them to work recklessly. As a result, sheep are often left bloodied and in pain.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to wear”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.