WASHINGTON – With just ten shopping days until Christmas, The Humane Society of the United States today revealed that Macy's is selling a coat advertised as containing faux fur that actually contains real fur that is visually similar to raccoon dogs killed inhumanely in China. The news comes just days after other fur garments were discovered falsely advertised as faux at Burlington Coat Factory and Loehmann's, revealing an industry-wide problem when it comes to fur labeling.
The latest discovery is a Sean John Hooded Snorkel Jacket that is on sale for $237.99 at Macys.com. Online customers are informed that the coat has an "imitation rabbit fur collar" and the web-site specifically identifies the materials used as "Nylon/faux fur/goose down." But when investigators from The HSUS purchased the coat, they found that the labels read "Made in China" and "genuine raccoon fur."
The HSUS found the same jacket, with the same label, in a Macy's store in New York City. The HSUS has submitted the fur for DNA testing, to determine whether it is raccoon dog, a type of dog raised in China whose fur resembles raccoon.
"It is well documented that the killing of animals in China for their fur is inhumane and barbaric – in fact, among the most gruesome images of animal killing I have ever witnessed," said HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle. "We also know that the Chinese fur industry kills untold numbers of cats and dogs -- including a dog that looks like a raccoon – for export. The U.S.-based retail industry must step away from this disreputable, ugly business and stop selling coats with fur trim."
Adds Pacelle, "Macy's and other major retailers are not paying close attention. They are buying and selling coats with fur trim from China, and they are not paying attention to whether it's real or fake. And they have no idea whether the fur comes from wild animals or domestic dogs and cats."
In a letter sent to Macy's, Pacelle asked the retail giant to stop selling garments trimmed with fur, and pointed to the fact that the fur garments in question are especially problematic because the fur is sourced from China. Animal welfare groups, including The HSUS, have documented extremely cruel conditions under which furbearing animals are raised and killed in China, including video that shows animals being skinned alive.
Earlier this week, The HSUS revealed that Burlington Coat Factory was falsely advertising real fur garments as faux fur in newspaper circulars, on its web site, and in store displays at its 350 locations nationwide. The company pulled the ads and has agreed to discussions with The HSUS on the company's policy on selling fur. The HSUS has also submitted those fur garments, which were labeled as raccoon fur and coyote fur from China, for DNA testing to determine if they are dog fur.
Federated Department Stores, which operates 860 stores in the United States and is based in Cincinnati, owns Macy's and Macys.com.
Even though the jackets purchased at Burlington Coat Factory and Macys.com were labeled as animal fur, the retailers incorrectly advertised them as faux. Federal law only requires that the garment be identified as fur, with the name of species and country of origin, if the value of the fur is more 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.
"Fur is a messy business, especially when it comes from China where the fur from dogs, cats, and other species may be commingled and exported," added Pacelle. "Consumers cannot make informed choices with this faulty labeling and advertising, and it's clear that the retail industry is not properly policing itself. The safest course of action for retailers is to join Gap, H & M, and many others that have opted not to sell garments trimmed with real animal fur."
Each year, over 50 million animals worldwide, such as dogs, cats, raccoon dogs, minks, 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.
NOTE: Video footage and photos of the coat and Macys.com web site are available. A taped interview with Pacelle is also available. Pacelle is available for interviews on Friday and through the weekend.
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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.
