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GET THAT BUNNY OFF YOUR BACK! |
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Most people shudder at the idea of wearing a coat made
out of the skins of 120 dead minks, but what about fur trim?
The fluffy trim on your jacket, your wrap around scarf, the
trim on your handbag and boots, or even your cat's toy mouse
could be made out of a sweet bunny all the more reason not
to wear any fur. Rabbit fur is often cheaper than other
animals skins, so the fur industry is pushing accessories
made from rabbit fur in an effort to seduce new customers. |
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MORE THAN A MUFF |
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Rabbits are social animals who live with their families in underground
burrows called warrens. They can hop faster than a cat, a human, or even a
deer can run. Rabbits love nibbling on grass hay herbs, apples, carrots, and
crisp, green veggies, and they chew vigorously to trim their front teeth,
which never stop growing. They communicate through body language and thump
their large back feet on the ground to warn other rabbits when they are in
danger. They mark their territories just as cats do by rubbing their chins
on twigs, rocks, other landmarks, and even each other. People who have
adopted rabbits from animal shelters know that they are affectionate and
loyal and love to snuggle with other rabbits and their human companions.
Rabbits are sensitive, smart animals with individual personalities, just
like dogs and cats. They make lifelong bonds with other rabbits and humans,
play with toys, and will even use a litterbox. But the hundreds of millions
of rabbits slaughtered for their fur arent so lucky. |
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FARMED FOR THEIR FUR |
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Rabbits used for the fur industry are confined to filthy battery cages. Like
other animals farmed for their fur, rabbits who are fastidiously clean by nature
are kept in tiny, filthy cages, surrounded by their own waste. They spend their
entire miserable lives standing on thin wires, never having a chance to dig,
jump, or play.
Studies have shown that farmed rabbits retain the full range of behaviours
of their wild ancestors. The small cages restrict and thus inhibit the young
rabbits' movements and attempts to hop and jump. This results in poor
development of the thigh bone and, losing the ability to hop normally, crawl
instead. Adult rabbits also suffer distortions of the backbone.
Abnormalities in the shape of the back and the ensuing pressure on the
vertabral column may cause further injuries. |
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SLAUGHTER |
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The methods of slaughter are barbaric their necks are broken or their skulls
are smashed before they are strung up by their hind legs and their heads are
cut off. |
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CATS & DOGS |
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Asian markets also routinely slaughter dogs and cats for sale as "rabbit
fur." Because of the rampant false labeling of Asian produced fur, it is
impossible to know exactly what kind of animal skin you are wearing if you
buy fur. |
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FAKE FUR |
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With so many high quality alternatives available, compassionate consumers
and animal friendly fashionistas are sparing bunnies and shunning skins by
choosing soft acrylics, brushed cotton and faux fur instead. |
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WHAT YOU CAN DO |
- You can help by simply refusing to buy or wear fur or fur trim.
- Join ALV or send a donation to help with this valuable campaign.
- If you aware of any store/designer selling fur or fur trim could you
please email us at info@alv.org.au
ALV will send them an anti fur kit which includes a graphic 6 minute CD on
the fur industry and an info sheet on fur trim.
- Get active help us raise public awareness to this issue. It only exists
because there is a demand.
When you see a fur item in a store, tell the manager that you would not
support the company unless they stop selling fur products and/or send
letters such as the following to the company's head office, preferably to
the manager director(s). (You can use the following text, amend some parts,
or write your own letter). |
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Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you because I am very concerned about your sale of fur
products. The fur trade is a cruel industry, which inhumanely slaughters
innocent animals for the sake of fashion.
I will not patronise your stores until you cease the sale of these offensive
products.
The fur-farmed and captured animals used for fur products are usually killed
by electrocution, gassing, cyanide injection, decompression or neck
snapping, all of which cause intense suffering. Potentially, the animals may
still be conscious while being skinned subsequent to these cruel killing
methods.
By selling fur products you are complicit in the suffering and death of
these innocent animals.
There is an enormous choice of fake furs available, enabling people to have
the look but avoid the cruelty.
Yours sincerely,
(Insert Name) |
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