Rabbits Don't Belong on Runways |
 |
March 21, 2008
| |
 |
| |
©The HSUS |
| |
A website description for a Burberry jacket trimmed with rabbit fur in 2007 claimed that the fur was faux. |
For many, springtime conjures up images of furry rabbits—perhaps from childhood books like "Peter Rabbit" or "The Velveteen Rabbit." Unfortunately, these images don't represent the reality for all spring bunnies.
Rabbits are caged and killed every year—and not just for their meat. Millions are raised specifically for fashion. Their fur makes its way into apparel to be sold around the world. And it is impossible for a consumer or designer to tell by looking at a piece of rabbit fur whether the animal was killed for meat or fur.
Rabbit Fur Sold as Fake
Rabbit fur is very frequently misrepresented on labels and in advertising. In fall 2007, The Humane Society of the United States tested fur and determined some jackets sold by SaksFifthAvenue.com, NeimanMarcus.com, Dillards.com, and Bloomingdales.com were advertised or labeled as "faux fur" or "trim: polyester" when they were actually trimmed with real rabbit fur.
Rabbit fur is also often used on jackets that are sold with labeling that doesn’t even mention fur of any kind—a consumer problem allowed by a loophole in the federal Fur Products Labeling Act.
A Dark Corner of the Fashion World
Aside from fur mislabeling, there is also a misconception about the way rabbits are treated in the fur industry. Recently, two European animal protection groups, CAFT-UK and ANIMAL, conducted separate investigations into the hidden—and gruesome—world of rabbit fur production. Read ANIMAL's report on their Oct. 2006 investigation into the disturbing reality of the Portuguese rabbit fur trade.
|
©ANIMAL
|
|
The Real Fashion Victims
In late October 2006, ANIMAL's investigators went inside the secret world of the Portuguese rabbit fur trade. Read their report on the disturbing reality of the real fashion victims.
|
|
©CAFT
|
|
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. They followed the process from the miserable lives for rabbits in cages to the production of fur items for high-end stores and catwalks.
|
Spring Cleaning
Want to do something to help these Easter bunnies? Usher in spring by cleaning the cruelty out of your closet. Eliminate all fur—including rabbit fur—from your wardrobe. You can give it back to the animals by contributing to our Coats for Cubs program.
If you're not sure whether the fur on your jacket is real or fake, check out our handy tips for telling the difference. And when you're ready to replace your old fur-trimmed garments, check our list of over 75 fur-free retailers and designers.
Last, but certainly not least, please urge your representative to support and co-sponsor the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act.
Related Links
How Do Fur Animals Die?
The Cruel Reality of Fur Production
Caged Fur: The Inside Story
Trapping: The Inside Story
Fur-Free Designers and Retailers
