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Foot Locker Goes Fur-Free; Michael Kors Not to Sell Raccoon Dog Fur; Both Dropped from HSUS Petition

May 15, 2007


	©Lauri Sippu
	Raccoon dogs, members of the canine family with raccoon-like markings, are skinned alive for their fur in China.

Foot Locker, Inc., a worldwide company with more than 4,000 stores, has agreed to go completely fur-free in the wake of an ongoing fur labeling and advertising scandal in the fashion industry. In addition, Michael Kors USA, Inc., a major fashion design company, has agreed not to sell raccoon dog fur.

The Humane Society of the United States today dropped its FTC complaint [PDF] against both companies and continued to call for federal agency sanctions against twelve other companies that have not taken appropriate action to correct these widespread problems.

Foot Locker, Inc.'s New
Fur-Free Policy

“Foot Locker, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not condone or support the killing of animals for fur or fur trim and, therefore, do not and will not knowingly sell any apparel, accessory or other items that contain real animal fur.”

Raccoon dogs, a member of the canine family, are raised in vast numbers in China and are killed to supply China's huge garment export industry. Investigators have documented workers skinning the animals alive. An HSUS investigation last winter found fur from domestic dogs and raccoon dogs on designer jackets—which were falsely advertised as "faux" or falsely labeled as a different species of animal.

"We applaud Foot Locker for giving the boot to fur. Shedding fur trim is a way to avoid contributing to cruelty and misleading consumers, since it is so difficult to provide accurate information on the source of fur trim," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.

"Michael Kors has also taken a positive step to protect animals and consumers by pledging not to use raccoon dog fur, and we are so grateful for this important pledge," adds Pacelle.

Dog Fur Scandal Prompted Petition

Video: Raccoon dogs skinned alive for fur
(warning: very graphic images)

The original FTC petition was filed in March after the HSUS investigation determined many retailers and designers were selling falsely labeled or falsely advertised jackets containing raccoon dog, domestic dog or wolf fur. Both raccoon dog fur and domestic dog fur was found on jacket trimmings advertised as faux fur. On May 8, the FTC announced that it referred the petition to the Division of Enforcement [PDF] at the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

During the investigation, The HSUS found Footlocker.com selling a Rocawear brand jacket advertised as having "rabbit" fur trim that scientific testing determined to be from a raccoon dog. The jacket's label said nothing about fur, a loophole allowed under current law if the value of the fur is $150 or less. Rocawear was not named in the original petition because it has pledged to stop all use of raccoon dog fur.

Changes in Two Companies

Foot Locker's new policy affects Foot Locker, Footaction, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, Footlocker.com and Eastbay in 20 countries in North America, Europe and Australia.

Also during the investigation, The HSUS found a Michael Kors brand jacket sold on Dillards.com, a clothing website, advertised and labeled as being "raccoon," but identified through scientific testing as being from a raccoon dog.

A statement from a representative of the company said: "Although Michael Kors USA, Inc. has never knowingly purchased or sold any garment containing Asiatic raccoon (Nyctereutes Procyonoides) fur from China, they have determined to no longer purchase or sell any garment containing raccoon or Asiatic raccoon fur from China and will not knowingly purchase or sell any garment containing Asiatic raccoon fur from any source."

The petition asks the FTC to "investigate and commence enforcement action against several retailers and fashion designers that are now or have been engaged in the manufacturing, advertising, selling, and/or labeling of fur-trimmed garments in violation of the federal Fur Products Labeling Act." The companies that remain named in the petition include Andrew Marc, Baby Phat, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Bluefly, Dillard's, J.C. Penney, Lord & Taylor, Macy's (Federated Department Stores), Neiman Marcus, Ross and Spiewak.

What You Can Do

Help protect raccoon dogs and other canids from the horrific treatment they get from the fur industry. Urge your representative to co-sponsor and support the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act.

The 12 retailers and designers in the right column below are named in the FTC petition. Foot Locker and Michael Kors have been removed from the petition.

ACTIONS TAKEN BY RESPONSIBLE DESIGNERS AND RETAILERS
(Some took action beyond what is listed)

Adopting fur-free policies

Footlocker (NEW!)

Calvin Klein

Tommy Hilfiger

Pulled garments and indicated they will not use raccoon dog fur in future

Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter's Rocawear

Sean "Diddy" Combs' Sean John

Endorsing H.R. 891, the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act

Tommy Hilfiger

Burlington Coat Factory

Loehmann's