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Montreal, November 11, 2013 – It is that time of the year again, where it begins to get colder outside and people are beginning to shop for their winter coats. Sadly the use of fur on coats and other winter accessories, from animals such as coyotes, mink, fox and wolves that are trapped or raised on fur farms is widespread. Once again, the Montreal SPCA is asking the public to shop with a conscience and to purchase a fur free winter coat.
Since 1990, Montreal’s SPCA has had a policy position against the killing or raising of animals for fur. Animals trapped for their fur are caught in traps and typically die cruel deaths, often breaking bones and teeth or chewing off their own limbs trying to escape from the traps, others die due to dehydration or starvation. Animals raised in fur farms live in small cramped caged where they eat, sleep, urinate and defecate. These animals are killed by electrocution, gas chamber, or breaking of their neck or spine or worse. Furthermore, Canada not only allows the import and sale of products containing dog or cat fur, but the government does not require that it be labeled.
“Fur is an unnecessary luxury item that is a product of inherent cruelty through trapping or by the raising of animals on fur farms. There is simply no reason to wear or buy it, but sometimes consumers don’t think about it before they shop, and we want to make sure they are aware” said Alanna Devine, Director of Animal Advocacy at the Montreal SPCA. “We want people to be more conscious of what they are buying and realize that there are lots of fashionable brands that are fur free.
The Montreal SPCA is also reminding people that if they are opting for a fur-free winter coat, that they should also consider making it down-free. Down is produced from the feathers of birds such as geese or ducks and is often obtained in an inhumane manner. “We want people to be aware that there are lots of animal-free and cruelty-free options for winter coats that use synthetic materials that are as warm as or warmer than down. Brands like Arc’teryx, Fjällräven, Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC), Columbia Sportswear, Patagonia, Helly Hansen, Hoodlamb, and Vaute Couture offer numerous fashionable winter coats and accessories without any animal products” said Devine.
For more information about the fur industry and ways that you can help protect fur bearing animals, please visit the Association for the Protection of Fur Bearing animals by clicking here.
