Wool With a Butt
A campaign to end the cruel practice of live lamb cutting (mulesing)
80% of the world’s fine wool used in the global clothing industry is produced in Australia. But the fluffy lambs there have natural enemies. Flies, that lay their eggs in the many wrinkles around the lambs’ butt. To prevent flies from attacking their sheep, producers use a method called live lamb cutting (also known as mulesing). They restrain the few weeks old lamb and cut off the skin around the buttocks. This happens with the help of shears and usually without anaesthesia. Together, let's change the wool industry and spare lambs the cruel practice of lamb cutting.
Campaign Details
Take action!
Sign our petition to protect lambs from mulesing.
Brands against mulesing
See which brands are taking steps toward a mulesing-free wool industry.
FAQ about mulesing and the wool industry
Learn more about mulesing with our infographic and answers to your frequently asked questions.
Campaign highlights, news and updates
Read our press releases and blogs on sheep, wool and mulesing.
This is the story of a stylish, fluffy wool pullover
It belonged to a lamb who once had a butt
Once upon a time the lamb lived in Australia where 80% of the world’s fine wool used in the global clothing industry is produced.
But the fluffy lambs there have natural enemies. Flies, that lay their eggs in the many wrinkles around the lambs’ butt. Parasites
Mulesing /ˈmjuːlziŋ/ is how wool producers try to prevent flies from attacking their sheep.
They restrain the few weeks old lamb and cut off the skin around the buttocks. This happens with the help of shears and usually without anaesthesia.
Shocked, the bleeding lamb runs back to its herd. In many cases, and despite the mutilation, flies will still attack the lamb.
The lamb suffers for our clothing. The wool pullover once belonged to a being with emotions, who experienced fear and pain.
But there is a solution: sheep that are naturally more resistant to fly infestation.
This shift will cost wool producers time and effort, but it’s possible.
The outcome: 'Wool with a butt'
The more people demand 'Wool with a butt', the more brands will choose wool from non-live lamb cut sheep. And none of the fluffy lambs will have to endure live lamb cutting (mulesing) again.
The Bloody Business with Wool
Learn more about mulesing and how to demand an end to this cruel and needless practice (printable pdf leaflet)
