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Hi. I am Heather Mills McCartney with PETA. When you walk through a shopping mall anywhere
in America or Europe, chances are you’ll see brand-name designer coats with fur trim,
cuffs, or collars with a label that says “Made in China.”
Fur has resurfaced on fashion racks through cheap imports from China, which has now eclipsed
all other countries to become the world’s largest supplier of fur. The fashion trade,
like other businesses, has outsourced to China to save money. But what does that mean for
animals?
The millions of foxes, raccoons, minks, and rabbits raised for their fur in China are
not protected by a single law, and they are killed in ways that would shock unsuspecting
consumers in the countries where their fur is sold. Since western consumers are buying
the fur, it’s our responsibility to know how it’s made so we can make informed choices.
A recent yearlong investigation captured video footage of fur farmers in China pulling animals
from their cages, throwing them to the ground, bludgeoning them with metal rods, and stomping
on them. Some workers swing animals by their hind legs, smashing their heads into the ground,
which breaks the animals’ necks or backs but leaves them fully conscious for the skinning
process.
Time after time, animals are found panting and blinking as they are skinned alive. Some
of the animals’ hearts are still beating as long as 10 minutes after they have been
skinned. If you wonder how widespread this abuse is in China, consider this: The Beijing
News conducted its own independent investigation this spring, and not only did it confirm this
cruelty, the paper’s editors were so shocked that they published the story despite the
usual ban on articles that portray Chinese industry unfavorably. Please keep these images
in mind the next time you’re tempted to buy a coat with fur trim, and don’t be deceived
by labels—since raw fur pelts often move through international auctions before being
sewn in other countries. Fur from China may also end up on a final product that says,
“Made in Italy,” or, “Made in France.”
Buying anything with fur—even if it’s just trim supports one of the most gruesome
industries on the planet. To learn more, including what you can do to help, please visit PETA.org.
Thank you.