Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest
shopping day of the year. It's no coincidence that it is also Fur Free
Friday. What better time to peaceably demonstrate our concern for
fur-bearing animals? Each year more than 40 million animals are killed
for fashion. Whether used as a full-length coat or simple trim, or
sometimes even things as foolish as wearing apparel for our companion
animals or coats for Barbie dolls, fur represents senseless pain and
suffering. With beautiful faux fur alternatives widely available, there
is no need to torture and kill animals to make a fashion statement.
Animals caught in traps or snares may suffer for days
before dying of exposure, exhaustion or strangulation. In addition to
the desired fur-bearing animals, trappers also catch non-target animals
including deer, birds, squirrels, endangered species, and companion cats
and dogs. What a strange world this is where cats and dogs are
accidentally caught and mutilated in traps so that other cats and dogs
can have real fur toys and outfits. Farm-raised fur comes from animals
kept in tiny, filthy cages deprived of adequate protection from the
elements. There are no U.S. laws regulating how animals on fur farms are
to be housed or killed. The techniques used to kill animals on fur farms
includes neck snapping, anal electrocution, and crude carbon monoxide or
dioxide "gas chambers" that are notorious for prolonging the death of
animals and for their ineffectiveness, allowing animals to regain
consciousness while being skinned.
There is nothing fashionable about cruelty to animals.
Go on to What You Can
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