Retailers' Fur Ban on Angora
 

Angora is often harvested by manually ripping the fur from the rabbit's body while it is alive/awake - while the rabbits scream in pain (there are videos of this from China, I don't recommend watching them as they will haunt you forever). This type of harvesting is cruel, tortuous, and unnecessary. Please think before you wear or purchase Angora products.

On a positive note (for once, in this section :)), some retailers are taking the step of banning Angora from their product lines. KUDOS to them!! Here is a brief article from Marie Claire regarding the ban. NOW, if we could only get retailers to ban ALL cruelly-harvested fur altogether.

Here is the article pasted below:

The Big Fur Ban Hits Your Favorite Retailers

By Liana Satenstein

One time I was riding the subway home in my second hand, hand-me-down fur jacket that my mom bought at a yard sale ages ago. As I got up to detrain, some little punk stuck a sticker on the back of it that read, "I'm An A**hole, I Wear Fur."

First off thank you for the newsflash: I know I'm both of those things (the fur thing sometimes, the a**hole thing, all the time). But I'd like to clear the air: I do not condone buying new fur. SORRY little man, it was cold out and I can't just go out and buy a new winter jacket — some of us don't still live in our mother's basements (but we do take their clothes) —I take what I can get!

So what I am getting at: Since we are on the topic of fur, Forever 21 is taking action against angora products, according to our friends across the pond, Marie Claire UK. Brands like Calvin Klein, ASOS, and H&M have already stopped their angora production after PETA released a video of rabbits being plucked for their fur, instead of sheared. According to PETA's Yvonne Taylor, "Shoppers are horrified to discover that an 'angora' label means that live rabbits had the fur ripped from their bodies, and they're relieved when their favorite shops refuse to support this abuse." I have to agree with Taylor and consumers, the videos are quite horrifying and will give you nightmares/second thoughts about wearing fur.

On that note, not because some random put a sticker on me, but because the videos are quite heart-wrenching (I think of my cat, a lot), I believe that maybe it is time to put the fur down. Old or new, perhaps the fact that I'm wearing a dead animal does stand for something — and not that I'm just an a**hole.

I've read about it, too. Had no idea before. Thanx for posting!

Horrifying. Why can't they humanely kill the rabbit first. This is just disgusting. I don't understand how people can abuse animals. I can't even imagine the pain and agony they are going through.

I just don't understand people. At one time we needed fur to keep warm, it is now fashion not need!! I don't buy fur, I don't even wear old fur of my grandparents. I can not say I am pure... I still eat meat, have leather furniture... but thinking hard about that!!

I dont know why they make the angora sweaters anyway they are itcy

I think it's really important to point out that what you currently do does make a difference - I think it's *great* that you are firm in not wearing fur (me too)! Don't judge yourself about not being 'pure' - none of us are. What's important and meaningful (imo) is that you're doing something, and you believe in something, and EVERY little thing you do makes an impact and means something :). So kudos to you and everyone else for making a difference!

I agree! Admittedly, I am hypersensitive and can't wear fine wool sweaters without going crazy. I prefer cotton or silk.

I was looking at dog products this week and came across angora dog sweaters.

I am the same way. Threw out all of the fur items that were handed down to me. Also ditched my leather jackets.

I can't give up certain leather products, but I do feel bad about them. Even my friends who are closer to being purists say it is really hard to give up leather shoes.

:thumbup: Ann's post.

Dead rabbits don't produce more fur.... This isnt a one time thing, it happens repeatedly. The fur grows back and is ripped out again....every 3 months

The undercover footage, shot by PETA Asia, found horrific routine cruelty to angora rabbits, whose long, soft fur is often used in sweaters and accessories. The investigator filmed workers who were violently ripping the fur from the animals' sensitive skin as they screamed at the top of their lungs in pain. After this terrifying and barbaric ordeal, which the rabbits endure every three months, many of them appeared to go into shock, lying motionless inside their tiny, filthy cages, with no solid flooring or bedding, and without the vital companionship of other rabbits. After two to five years, those who have survived are hung upside down, their throats are slit, and their bodies are sold.

Rabbits who have their fur cut or sheared also suffer: During the cutting process, their front and back legs are tightly tethered—a terrifying experience for any prey animal—and the sharp cutting tools inevitably wound them as they struggle desperately to escape.

Thank you...you always have good words.

I try, even something as small as not buying from symthfields ( after watching food inc and the slaughter house) I have guilt about a lot....if I had my wish we would live in a world that animals did not have to die for us..oh and no wars would be nice too

Add this to an already long list of animal abuses by the Chinese. The thing is, most of those products areproduced for the American and European markets.

The only way for these abuses to stop is go haul some of these CEOs before the World Court on animal abuse charges. With the global economy it is too easy for these companies to hide their true business practices. Jurisdiction is also an issue, which highlights the need for international laws and enforcement.

I'm glad I never bought an angora sweater. I thought the process was like shearing a sheep, they don't like it but it's necessary and they're fine immediately afterward.

My possessions are fairly close to vegan. I'm allergic to all animal fibers, other than angora, and lanolin. I have about 3 leather items, including a buddy belt.

It's just utterly horrifying. They also use dog fur, and the way they harvest it is unimaginable...I'm not sure I even want to describe it here bc the memory is so horrible. I saw the footage years back and to this day, it's the most horrifying memory I have, by far, and I wish I could erase it.

SO true! So many US companies hide horrific business practices overseas. It's just appalling.

{but it's so wonderful to see you here, Jim :)}

I was thinking this also...

btw... I do read lables and try to stay away from palm oil. I teach food production in a local middle school. I tell the students about the abuses such as palm oil, and a lot of other issues. I may change one or two minds, or at least make them aware. I am not too sure if the parents appreciate it though lol

I had not realized this about Angora, so sad. I had been horrified to see the video where they do the same thing with live dogs and they sell the fur.

I had NO idea about any of this angora horror going on until i read the OP, saw the article and read some of the posts here! I guess we'll never hear the end of human cruelty to defenseless animals for their own purposes!!! But thank God for the animal advocates who find out about terrible conditions or treatment of a group of animals, work hard and keep at it until the those with enough of a voice and some financial power finally see the light and take some action to help stop it. And thanks to those to raise the issue everywhere they can! I've never knowingly bought angora and surely won't start now.

I am glad that I never liked angora.

This is something that I would think the world could agree on stopping if more people knew.

So true. Angora is thought of as being soft and cozy not sick and cruel. I ASSUMED it was shaved like lambswool as well, never ever this.

Wow! SO horrifying that they repeat it, let alone if it was a one time thing.:mad: Never knew this. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I wonder what the people who do it dream about?? Surely it must affect them as well... at least one would think anyways.

Luckily I'm allergic to angora. I also watched the video of the dog fur "harvesting". My word of advice, don't watch it. Definitly don't watch it at work.

This was exactly what I was thinking.

You know this reminds me of a post I read on my cruise forum. Please click the link to read the post on why you do NOT want to have your picture taken with these baby animals when you are on vacation at many Caribbean cruise ports. Very similar to puppymilling.
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So sad :(. Thanks for posting this, it's very good to know these things. Just awful that these little baby primates are taken from their Mommas.

Yes they do - when I was super active here - I researched a ton of stuff and forced myself to learn what was really happening and it is utterly awful and takes place all around the world. I can't visit those sites anymore ....I learned way more than I could stand and had nightmares.....but this is a GREAT post you did Ann -

It still needs to be talked about all the time - the more outrage the better the results....but the results have taken years to get as far as what that article said

I didn't know this until now.:eek: How horrid we humans can be to make a buck.:thumbdown

I had angora when I was young and I'm sure my parents didn't realize this. Thanks Ann, you're the best.:cool:

How horrific...I had no idea. I don't own anything w/fur & not wanting it either. I remember seeing a vid of how they remove the fur from live dogs...an image that will be in my mind 4ever like a nightmare, so barbaric, unimaginable cruelty. I will not look for this video of the angoras, don't want another nightmare in my mind.:(