If I remember correctly, at one time, a group of Mormon's in Salt-Lake City raised minks, and sold the fur for coats others made.
Anyone else remember this?
Now-a-days, one is considered a nerd to buy a mink coat.
Nevertheless, I remember a little no-body who got married (we both lived in sunny and usually hot So. Calif.) who bought (or was given) a full-length one.
Nevertheless, one doesn't get a fur coat--and then not wear it, does one. And she did--at every opportunity, like whenever she left her house.
There is a mink farm near the intersection of 9000 South and 900 West. It is still there AFAIK unless COVID has shut it down. It was fully functioning about 6 years ago when I supplied them with antibiotics.
In earlier times one of the owners of this or a similar farm in the West Jordan area was Gene Fullmer, the boxer.
I think you mislead when you suggest that the owners' main characteristic was their religious preference. Up until recently a great many people either owned or produced animal fur products. When you include sheep skins and leather, nearly everybody is included.
My mom loved mink so dad bought her a coat along with one for his sister in Mt. Pleasant. Her TBM gold digger children weren't happy he'd spent money on their mom.
Nutria run wild in Maryland's Eastern Shore. They are considered an invasive species which destroys wetlands habitat. People would thank you if you killed one.
My MIL gave us an old mink coat from her Hollywood-connected mother circa 1950 because A) she was downsizing and B) felt guilty about it in these woke times.
Gotta admit, it's luxurious--except in SoCal it's a waste.