Investigations

Investigation Results Find Raccoon Dog Most Misrepresented Fur Sold in America

Raccoon dog fur trim was on more than two-thirds of the falsely-advertised or mislabled jackets tested by The HSUS over the last three years. This fur is most commonly marketed as "raccoon." But raccoon dogs aren't raccoons (scientifc name Procyon lotor) at all.

Racoon Dog Misrepresentation Continues: Investigation Results Fall/Winter 2007

An additional six jackets — detailed in the chart below — were found to be falsely advertised or mislabeled as the wrong species — or simply as "fur." Retailers and brand names associated with these jackets include Sears, Bluefly, Dillard's, Eluxury.com, Caché, Dr. Jay's, and Juicy Couture. Four of the jackets contain raccoon dog fur.

Fall/Winter 2007 HSUS Investigation Finds Jackets with Real Animal Fur Sold As Faux

In the fall and winter of 2007, investigators from The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) purchased seven different styles of jackets—men's, women's, and children's—that were advertised or labeled as faux fur, but actually contain real fur.

2005-2007 HSUS Fur Labeling Investigation Finds Raccoon Dog and Domestic Dog

An ongoing investigation by The HSUS has found some of the biggest names in fashion selling raccoon dog fur trim on jackets that were mislabeled, advertised as another species or not labeled at all. The investigation also turned up dog fur on sale.

The Dog and Cat Fur Trade

"An 18-month-long undercover investigation has exposed one of the dirtiest little secrets of the global fur industry: the brutal and cruel slaughter of companion animals—dogs and cats—for the fur trade."

The Canadian Seal Hunt

"Last year [2005], 98.5% of the seals killed were two months of age or younger—and veterinary reports indicate that many seals have been skinned while still conscious and able to feel pain."

Visit www.humanesociety.org/protectseals for the latest reports, videos and updates on The HSUS' efforts to stop the Canadian seal hunt, the world's largest slaughter of marine mammals.

Take the pledge to protect seals by boycotting Canadian seafood.

Mary Wore a Little Lamb: The Truth about Karakul Lamb Fur

"Later, we witnessed the slaughter of a pregnant ewe. She was held down, her throat slit open and stomach slashed wide to remove the developing fetus—the 'raw material' for broadtail fur fashions."

It can be labeled karakul, broadtail, astrakhan or Persian lamb, but it all means early death for infant lambs or lamb fetuses.

Fun Fur? A Report on The Chinese Fur Industry

"This report shows that China's colossal fur industry routinely subjects animals to housing, husbandry, transport and slaughter practices that are unacceptable from a veterinary, animal welfare and moral point of view. Housing, husbandry, transport and slaughter conditions fall drastically short of EU, UK and Swiss legislation."

The Real Fashion Victims

"In late October 2006, ANIMAL´s investigators went inside the secret world of the Portuguese rabbit´s fur trade. Read here the report on the disturbing reality of the real "fashion victims" that they have found."

The Reality of Commercial Rabbit Farming in Europe

"CAFT investigators infiltrated the rabbit fur trade in Europe's three largest producing countries - France, Italy and Spain as well as in Denmark. The process was followed from start to finish - from the miserable lives for rabbits in cages to the production of fur items for high street stores and the catwalks."