Every autumn, a dedicated group of warm, comfortable footwear fans pull out their UGG boots to wear while sipping festive fall beverages on crisp, cozy days. What most of these UGG enthusiasts probably don't know, however, is the immense suffering endured by the sheep who are killed for these distinctive boots.

Most UGG boots are made from sheepskin, a material taken from the bodies of slaughtered sheep who are raised for their meat, wool, and skin. Even worse, UGG boots are often made with shearling, the skin of a young lamb that is cut from their body with the wool still attached so brands like UGG can use it to line boots and shoes.

UGG previously made misleading claims on its website that the animals killed for its boots and other products were ethically raised, but the company removed those humane-washing claims in 2023 after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from PETA. Undercover investigations by PETA and other animal advocates on sheep farms, shearing operations, and slaughterhouses around the globe have revealed the horrific abuses these beautiful, docile animals endure. Lambs have pieces of their ears cut out, their tails cut off, and are castrated, all without pain relief. Sheep are sheared so quickly and roughly that they are left with bloody gashes, which are sometimes sewn up without any painkillers. Workers have been filmed whipping heavily pregnant sheep, stepping on the necks of struggling sheep, dragging them across the floor, and jabbing them with electric prods. Investigators have even documented lambs who were still conscious after their throats were cut, with some still moving as workers began to skin them.

Rather than the bucolic scenes of sheep roaming free across green hills that may come to mind when thinking of these innocent animals, sheep raised on industrial farms for their wool, skin, and meat are often handled roughly, sheared at breakneck speed, and even left exposed to freezing temperatures right after being stripped of their wool, until they are eventually sent to slaughter. There is nothing cozy about this level of cruelty, and the evidence that sheep farming is a violent and unethical industry continues to mount with each new investigation.

In 2024, UGG released its first-ever vegan UGG boots in collaboration with Collina Strada, made from materials including sugarcane, TENCEL, and recycled polyester. Although these boots are no longer available, they proved the company has the capacity and knowledge of modern cruelty-free materials to take the next step and cut sheep abuse from its supply chain altogether.

Take Action Now

Please join Species Unite in calling on UGG to do the right thing and drop sheepskin and wool from its products.

In the meantime, if you are looking for a truly ethical alternative, check out our recent Species Unite piece, Animal-Free Fashion: Alternatives to 21 Iconic Wardrobe Staples, which includes a cozy and compassionate alternative to UGG boots.