Burlington Coat Factory Pulls Fur Ads In Stores

December 12, 2006

WASHINGTON – In the wake of an undercover investigation announced yesterday revealing that Burlington Coat Factory was selling real fur advertised as fake, Burlington has agreed to pull the offending advertisements from its stores nationwide and offered refunds to any consumers who may have inadvertently purchased the real fur garments. Burlington has also agreed to enter discussions with The Humane Society of the United States about the company's policy on real fur.

"We are pleased that Burlington Coat Factory is taking steps to remove its inaccurate advertisements," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "But The Humane Society of the United States is now asking Burlington to examine its entire policy of selling fur trim, given that fashionable and functional faux fur alternatives are readily available to the company.  It's a matter of social responsibility and a concern for the welfare of animals."

The real fur jackets that were marketed by Burlington as "faux" contain internal labels stating that they are trimmed with "Racoon [sic] Fur of China Origin" or "Genuine Coyote Fur of China Origin." Due to the lack of animal welfare laws and prevalence of garment factories, China currently ranks as one of the leading exporters of fur and supplies half of all of the fur products that enter the United States for sale. Animals documented being raised and killed in China – often in barbaric ways – include dogs, cats, foxes, mink, and, of particular note, raccoon dogs, a species of canine whose fur resembles raccoon.  Accordingly, The HSUS has commissioned DNA tests of the jackets, and expects to be able to determine within a week whether the coats are made of dog fur.

"It's especially problematic that the fur is coming from China, since sellers there routinely mislabel products and use unmistakably barbaric methods of killing domesticated and wild animals," added Pacelle. "Retailers often don't know what they are getting, and consumers often can't tell whether they are buying dog or raccoon, real or faux. Congress should pass the Truth in Fur Labeling Act to ensure that all fur-trimmed garments are properly labeled and that consumers have the best product information available."

A loophole in the current Fur Products Labeling Act provides the fur industry an easy way to slip dog and cat fur onto garments, leaving American consumers, shopping off the rack in local department stores, uninformed and unprotected. The current labeling law, passed during the Eisenhower Administration, requires labeling of full-length fur coats, but excludes jackets and other products trimmed in fur if the value of the fur is less than $150. The HSUS is working to close this loophole through federal legislation, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, introduced by Congressman Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) and Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA).  Although Congress adjourned last week without taking action on this bill, The HSUS intends to seek reintroduction of the measure in 2007.

Each year, over 50 million animals worldwide, such as dogs, cats, raccoon dogs, mink, foxes, bobcats, beavers, raccoons, and lynx, are killed for their fur. By supporting fur-free designers, sponsoring fashion design contests and advertising in industry publications, The HSUS's Fur Free Campaign works with both consumers and the fashion industry to encourage decisions that reject the use of fur and instead promote warm and fashionable alternatives. To learn about The HSUS's Fur Free Campaign and what you can do to take action, visit our website www.furfree.hsus.org.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with nearly 10 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country.