RABBIT FUR IS NOT FUN. ITS CRUEL

To:  Newsweek magazine

As feared, the fall fashion season has brought an influx of rabbit and other fur products into department and other stores. There are jackets, ponchos, shawls, shrugs, boleros, collars, mufflers, hat trim, coat trim, glove linings, and rabbit fur trimmed boots. The October 11, 2004, issue of Newsweek carried an article titled “Real Fur Is Fun Again: It’s less expensive and more popular than ever than ever. But as young people snuggle up, where are the protesters?” See http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6160136/site/newsweek

Fur is not fun. Rabbits in fur and meat farms have miserable, short lives. They are slaughtered by electrocution or having their heads bashed against a wall. Then a few incisions are made in the fur, and their skin is literally ripped off of them. Since the killing methods are imperfect, it's inevitable that some rabbits are still conscious when their fur is removed. Governmental oversight of the fur industry is minimal, enforcement is lax, and prosecution unusual.

Fur vendors frequently claim that the fur is a "by-product" of the Chinese meat industry. That's deceptive. The fur is a product, not a by- product, because it generates revenue and it encourages more breeding of rabbits. Furthermore, rabbits with the thicker fur desired by designers and manufacturers are not necessarily those bred for meat. The bigger the market is for rabbit fur, the more likely that rabbits are bred primarily for their fur.

Fur is entirely unnecessary. Synthetics look great, feel great, and are cheaper to produce. Fur is currently being heavily marketed, which drives up demand. The solution is to reduce demand. One of the most effective ways to do that is to let people know about the suffering that goes into every fur garment and to remind them that faux fur is a widely available attractive substitute.

Indeed, where is the protest? Please sign the petiton to let Newsweek know where the protestors are.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The RABBIT FUR IS NOT FUN. ITS CRUEL Petition to Newsweek magazine was created by People who live with companion rabbits. and written by Lana Lehr (rabbitwise@verizon.net).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.