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Fashion Fur Pas by Michele Vannen For many people, watching The Simpsons is very much like a religious practice. You would be hard pressed trying to find someone who has not watched at least one episode of this long running show. One of the more popular episodes finds Mr. Burns stealing puppies from the Simpsons, a la Cruella De Vil, to make himself a greyhound fur tuxedo. Parading around his bedroom in various items of clothing (much to the delight of Smithers), he boasts about his exotic wardrobe: a poodle beret, a hat (formerly his cat), and an authentic Irish Setter sweater. However, while many die-hard Simpsons fans can’t deny having sung along to Mr. Burns’ song "See My Vest," it is unlikely that many people stopped to consider the truth behind the music. To wear fur or not to wear fur – this is no longer the question. Rabbit, fox and mink--just a few of the animals killed in the name of vanity. As it turns out, dogs have moved up the social ladder from man’s best friend to man’s new fashion statement. The Humane Society International (HSI) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have conducted an eighteen-month investigation into the trade of dog and cat fur. Although it has been reported that dogs and cats are being slaughtered for their fur worldwide (yes, that means Australia too), the investigation was carried out in China – a major source in the trade. Full-length coats, short jackets, and accessories, even toy stuffed animals. As a direct result of this, approximately 2 million cats and dogs are killed annually. At least 10 dogs are required to make a coat; more if puppies are used. Where do all these animals come from? While some are from breeding farms, others are strays and some are even stolen pets. In China, mainly German Shepherds are used due to the fact that their grey or yellow fur is considered desirable. Fortunately for fur traders, most people don’t even know they are wearing dog or cat fur. In the case that people were aware of this fact and found it acceptable, would the furs still be considered desirable if they knew of the pain and suffering these animals must endure just so people could be seen as fashionable? Dogs are hung up by a metal wire, which is wrapped around their necks, any struggling attempts made to get free only intensify the choking of the wire. They are then stabbed in the groin and then the dog’s skin is peeled off. More often than not, the dog is still alive during the whole ordeal. Cats fare no better than their canine counterparts. In addition to being strangled, stabbed and skinned in the same way, sometimes a tube is shoved down their throats and water is poured down to drown them. Hardly a humane way to kill considering the only crime committed by these innocent animals was that they had fur. In a country where two thirds of Australian households have cats and/or dogs, it isn’t hard to imagine that people would not be pleased knowing they could be wearing or using what was once someone’s pet. Think of the outcry if people knew how their items came to be! It is because of this issue that manufacturers in the fur trade offer traders the option to have any label they desire on their products. Meaning that your Gae-Wolf car upholstery, your Sobaki bed sheets or your Katzenfelle jacket and matching gloves are most likely cat or dog fur. Even that rawhide chew toy your dog has right now, labeled “special skin”, is a combination of cat, dog and other bits of unidentified skin. Sadly, as the main predators on this planet we can’t do much about the killing of these animals. For the murderers, manufacturers, and traders of the fur industry, it’s a way to make a living, just like being a schoolteacher or a plumber. If anything, the fashion industry’s hands are just as bloodied as the animal slaughterers themselves. The past always has and the future always will have a market for fur. Like all products, as long as there is demand there will be someone to supply. Regardless of the animal or product – elephants for lovely ivory jewellery, the musk deers so we smell beautiful, or various animals to adorn ourselves in flowing furs – killing in the name of vanity has no rightful purpose in this world. No, we can’t put a complete stop to the bloodshed, but we can avoid creating a demand for products that involve animal cruelty. Not only will we save the lives of many animals, especially those on our endangered list, but also we will avoid making a fatal fashion fur pas.
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