The Fur IndustryBy Lauren Hiban, Haley Lamb and Veronica Parado

The Issue

• Animals are killed for clothing by fur industries for leather, wool, fur and other exotic skins.

• 85% of the fur industry’s skins come from animals living captive in fur factory farms.

• These farms can hold thousands of animals, and their farming practices are remarkably uniform around the world.

• As with other intensive-confinement animal farms, the methods used in fur factory farms are designed to maximize profits.

The Ethical Issue

• Furs come from the tremendous suffering of animals.

• The animals are kept on fur farms in cramped and filthy wire cages.

• The fur farmers use the cheapest and cruelest methods to kill the animals like suffocation, electrocution, gas and poison.

• Most animals are skinned alive for their fur.

Advantages

• The main advantage of fur coats is that they provide warmth especially during the in cold weather.

• Animals create very fashionable clothing. Examples include leather for motorcycle jackets, snake skin accessories, and fur scarves.

• Recent scientific studies show that fur is resistant to moths and will not deteriorate.

Disadvantages• Animal Cruelty!• “All in the name of fashion.” –PETA• Millions of Animals are slain, beaten and poisoned so

people can “look cool” and wear fashionable clothing.

• The amount of energy needed to produce a real fur coat from ranch-raised animal skins is approximately 15 times that needed to produce a fake fur garment.

• Animals suffer greatly under these conditions and have even been found to cannibalize their cage mates in response to their crowded confinement.

Our Position• We believe it’s wrong to kill innocent animals. • Consumers need to know that every fur coat,

lining, or piece of trim represents the intense suffering of animals.

• Animals should not be tortured for fashion especially when there are other alternatives.

• We believe its more ethical for people to wear faux fur because it is available in stores all over the world.