Which Is Better: Fake Racoon Dog or Real Raccon Dog Fur Trim?

Interesting! I don't really have a big problem with fur if it's harvested in a sustainable and cruely free manner. Labeling things honestly is the most important thing, then people can make up their own minds.

Well, what one prefers is going to depend on each person's beliefs and priorities. I don't see why the &%$ we need fur (real or otherwise) on coats anyway, but someone else may see things differently. Whatever.

The real issue this story brings to light is that not even retailers always know what goes into their wares, and that there can be all kinds of hidden costs to seemingly innocuous products. Faux fur, in this case, turned out to be real fur; while the animal involved was not a domestic dog, which is a squick factor for most people in my part of the world, it turned out to be from a nearly-endangered animal, which is horrible in a whole different way. This sort of interruption in the chain of information about the products we buy, wear, and consume is a logical consequence of an economy where so much of our consumer goods come from halfway around the world. Many of us try to make buying choices that help salve our consciences, but we can never be too sure we know the truth about what we buy. There are no guarantees.

It has become socially unacceptable to wear fur, but it seems baffling why there is such strong opposition when you consider that millions of animals are killed for meat. Why is one practice perfectly acceptable, but not the other? Yes, I know food provides a more basic and essential need than fashion - which makes fur superfuous to human needs - but the fact is we don't need to eat meat either (yes, I know about animal protein and vitamins D and B12 etc).

I would genuinely be interested in hearing people's opinion on this.

"Why is one practice perfectly acceptable, but not the other?"

Because animals like dolphins and baby seals look cute, having big eyes and bulbous foreheads resembling human babies, whereas chickens and cows don't.

Further, most people who live in cities and tend to get all worked up about this sort of thing, have never actually seen either a seal, dolphin, or cow in real life, other than in photos or on TV. Essentially, these people seem to be losing the ability to effectively differentiate between human beings and lower animals. Experts have noted signs that this pathology has begun to extend to completely inanimate objects such as rocks and trees.

I'm not sure how one expects to produce cruelty-free fur, and I disagree that fur has become socially unacceptable. Fur ha become increasingly popular in the last 8 years.

Regardless, Lioncrusher's Domain has a pretty complex case for and against the population of this critter. I don't think it really matters why an animal is being hunted to justify or unjustify the marketing of her skin. It is contributing to unnecessary cruety for people in America who have a variety of alternatives.

I think this is a great example of why people who are opposed to fur sholdn't be purchasing faux-fur. Sometimes it ends up being real; the rest of the time it perpetuates the desire to wear it. We live in a 21st century agritarian society; can't we find something more eco-friendly and humane?

Why is needlessly and cruelly killing animals for clothing we different than needlessly and cruelly killing them for food?

It's not.

But speciesism says it is.

The same speciesism leads people to adore their dog or cat while chowing down on a cow or chicken.

The same speciesism allows us to do things to farmed animals that we would be prosecuted for doing to companion animals.

It's prejudice, plain and simple.

To me, killing another being without GOOD reason (especially killing them the way animals are typically killed for for or fur) is an abomination.

Well, of course the best environmental option would be to wear a used coat of real fur.

Being the great-granddaughter of pioneers, and granddaughter of the original homesteaders, I know full well the principal of "waste not, want not". Animals are an integral part of the pioneer, and today the organic, farm eco-system, from their waste product (as fertilizer) to their labor, from eggs and milk to meat and fur. Nothing on the homestead is wasted.

Of course, this particular critter....while I wouldn't PURPOSELY go out and hunt it down for its "product", if I had to shoot it to protect my chicken coop, then you can be sure that I would have a fur-trimmed coat by the next morning. Its all a part of the great circle of life, and what native Americans and our pioneer ancestors would have done.

The agony of racoon dogs being skinned alive is caught on video at www.hsus.org.

The animal is slammed into the ground, screaming while its four feet are cut off. The pelt is then skinned from the living, breathing animal.

Warning. This video is graphic. www.hsus.org.

Unimaginable cruelty until I saw the actual footage.
=== author's response follows ===
Thank's for this link...very much.

As a boy I hunted and trapped and was taught by my elders to kill with respect and not waste anything. A free market free-for-all is as de-humanizing as it is cruel and it is sad to see.

I have a update to this post to report. Having done some Christmas shopping in the women's department I saw two other retail outlets that I am fairly sure are selling "faux" fur that is real fur. As in real mammalian coats from northern species, the supposed "faux furs" I saw at mall department stores have the ultra-soft grayish white under hairs ("down fur") in high density, the colored main hairs are dispersed through and above that downy matrix; and, the darker tipped bristle or guard hairs are extending through the top, all in one array. Their existence as a man-made product n commerce would be strong evidence against "Intelligent Design". Unless of course they were designed by the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

The most important lesson to be learned here is perhaps the ability (and willingness) of the HSUS to mislead the public in pursuit of a rigorous "vegan" agenda. The end justifies the means???

The Raccoon Dog is not a "dog" in any meaningful sense of that word. It is the least dog-like of all the canid family - much less "doggy" than a fox, for example.

It is also not in the least endangered - on the contrary, it is extremely abundant and successful, is expanding its range rapidly and has the status of a minor pest in much of its distribution area (among other things, it is a rabies carrier). Originally East Asiatic, it has been transplanted to much of the territory of the former Soviet Union and from there is now spreading rapidly into and across western Europe.

The Japanese subspecies has a different chromosome number and may perhaps actually be a distinct species. It is not involved in the "faux fur" controversy. Its fur is inferior in quality (because, owing to the maritime climate of Japan, it does not need the warm insulating winter coat of the mainland forms) and AFAIK is not an object of commerce at all. The Japanese form is, however, eaten in the form of "tanuki soup."

You may of course approve or disapprove of the use of fur of any kind, and you may approve or disapprove of killing animals for any reason, but there is absolutely no reason to consider the Raccoon Dog in a different light from any other fur-bearing mammal or to create a stir because someone is using "dog fur." This is simply a clever (and apparently successful) attempt to engage the sentimental feeling of the U.S. public that we should not use "dogs" (conjuring up the image of Fido in everyone's mind) for such things as fur. Raccoon dogs are most definitely not like Fido.

I am a follower of the late great Aldo Leopold. I've devoted most of a long scientific career to studying the behavior and ecology of animals and to the protection and conservation of natural ecosystems. As a scientist I am firmly in favor of calling things by their right names - and firmly opposed to misleading the public.

As for "faux fur" vs. real fur - the former is made from nonrenewable hydrocarbon resources, the latter is a renewable resource. 'Nuf said .

As for "what use is fur" - if you live in a cold climate, and don't want to use hydrocarbon-based insulation, you shouldn't have to think very long about that one .

Remember the mountain climbers' adage "Cotton kills" ...

- saluqi

The most important lesson to be learned here is perhaps the ability (and willingness) of the HSUS to mislead the public in pursuit of a rigorous "vegan" agenda. The end justifies the means???

Not sure how the HSUS is “misleading” the public – if people are going to wear fur – they have the responsibility to see how it gets to them. Particularly when it is “sourced” from countries with few laws protecting workers and no laws whatsoever as to how these animals are housed, transported and ultimately, killed (skinned alive in some cases). As companies search for cheaper and more “efficient” ways to produce their products, “luxuries” such as decent working conditions and humane treatment of the animals are some of the first things to go.

Surprised to see hostility towards a “vigorous vegan agenda” on a “tree hugger” website – it is one of the most environmentally friendly choices in diet one can make. I would direct people to the recently published University of Chicago study for more information.

As for "faux fur" vs. real fur - the former is made from nonrenewable hydrocarbon resources the latter is a renewable resource. 'Nuf said

Well, I am sure I am not the only one who cringed at this entry – although it is common to hear the “natural” argument used by proponents of fur – this is far from an “environmentally friendly” choice – besides the enormous amounts of resources used to raise animals (which is never taken into account) – the “processing” that the fur goes through uses many chemicals and renders the end product far from “natural”.

Just bought a super warm winter set for my sis made from recycled plastic bottles – extremely warm – made in the USA and no dead animals involved. There are many truly environmentally friendly options that don’t involve skinning animals.

First of all, real fur uses a lot of petroleum based resources.

Trappers check their lines with pickup trucks, skidoos, and 4-wheelers. These run on gas and oil.

Second the pelts from trappers or cage facility operators are shipped all over the world, using more fuel--from the country of production, to the auction, then to China for manufacturing (if not from there originally), then to the final country for sale.

And how about the tanning and dyeing process, much of which is taking place in China? Any guess how good the environmental laws are there and much of these chemicals are entering the ecosystem?

And the kicker: furriers try to get you to store your fur in their air-conditioned "vault" during the summer. That means the ecological footprint of these furs grows every year.

As for the use of "raccoon dog"--that is the accepted common name of this species by all of the leading scientific authorities in this country. Here's the ITIS entry, THE final word: http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt

There is no real way you can harvest the fur of fur bearing animals that can be considered "humane" because one would still have to kill the animal in order to obtain its fur. The killing of the animal solely for this purpose is itself inhumane and for that matter, totally unecessary.

The fur industry will stop at nothing to keep the cruel fur business alive and their latest trick is to resort to mislabeling. With that said, I feel that wearing any kind of fur, whether it's faux or otherwise, is still a bad idea.
For one, "fake fur" can look like real fur to the untrained eye unless you have a big sign hanging on the garment that says "fake". In my opinion, it's better to stay away from anything that resembles real fur.

We can solve a lot of our problems if we just start making jackets out of people. (I typed this while wearing a fox fur coat (!faux) and eating tuna safe dolphin).

So it's okay to eat and use plants in our lives, but not animals...

Plants are made of cells.
Animals are made of cells.
People are made of cells.

Each has an inbuilt genetic "desire" to continue living.

I'm not sure what the distinction is.. Is it that animals have a central nervous system? That animals are cute and cuddly and can be your friend?

I suppose everyone on this forum probably has a lawn mower. I can't stand how everyone is so cruel to plants. They're living creatures and deserve the right to live their own lives. Blah blah blah, you all sound like morons.

Here read this article: Linky

Kenny :)

The reason people are more geared to not eating aniamsl as opposed to plants is this...

As of yet we don't know if plants FEEL or SUFFER. They might, or they might not. That doesn't mean we shouldn't take care of the earth, but since we know that animals cry and that they feel pain (and have seen it enough to cry myself), we should do what we can to stop that pain. That means eating plants and not wearing anything that cna promote the killing of animals (as the killing is never quick and always begins with torture).

Of course, I'm wiht you on the mowing. I prefer an untamed earth, then one mowed and tamed to man's desire.

Besides, teh way you get your food...your meat, is never a pretty process. Animals are abused and tortured long before they die. Plants...well they aren't. Not that we know of. I for one, can't stand the idea that if I'm eating a hamburger... that cow was beaten and kicked and abused until finally they killed it. Of course let's not go on how unhealthy meat is for people anyway. But thats an explaination.

I hate suffering of any kind. Humane or animal, but animal more specifically because humans ARE prejudice against anything that doesn't look like them, and because they view animals as lessers when in reality they aren't. But yet we persecute them again and again. We don't GIVE the animals the choice to survive, or to live their lives in peace. We abuse them as if they are obejcts or materials, when they are living, breathing creators who deserve peace.

THAT is why people get upset over it. That is why we'd rather consume plants than plants AND animals. It's not only healthier for humans, but it's also healthier for the ENVIRONMENT, in which 80% of grain made in the US goes to the animals being slaughtered; thats enough to feed two countries AT LEAST. But it's also better for the animals who won't suffer from abuse.

Wow, those of you that think that plant cells and animal cells are the same scare me a little. Actually your inability to understand that animals feel pain and worse, your inability to be compassionate about it scares me a lot.

It is actually healthy for plants to be cut back, harvested, trimmed, etc....but I just can't spend the time explaining this...the difference is so obvious.

Animals may be less complex intellectually than we are, but they reproduce, raise young, have social relationships (with some having monogamous partners) and most importantly feel pain in the same way we do. They actually are complex in themselves and should be respected as the lives that they are, even if they aren't one of our own.

The senseless killing of an animal because we want to wear their "pretty" fur and the diposing of their lives for just this reason is sickening.

(Also..some argue that it is the same as wearing leather and eating meat, but the reality is we did not design ourselves...and unfortunately being carniverous is natural. In a perfect world we would all only eat plants and wear paper, but for the majority of the human population that just isn't feasable. However, we should be AWARE and HUMANE in how we handle the harvesting of the items we NEED from animals taking only what is truly neccessary and not abuse or cause pain to the animals that are sharing our planet with us. It's not only the responsible thing to do, it's the right thing to do).

The fact that Racoon Dogs, as well as other animals, are skinned alive should shake every human being to their core. The main reason they are all killed is for fashion. Brutal killing of any animal should never be "fashion". Please be upset at this kind of inhumane horror and speak out.

There are videos available on the Internet that show raccoon dogs being skinned alive. They are conked over the head to stun them and skinned.

So, no the fur is not harvested humanely.

Saluqi, hopefully you devoted your life to some section of science that doesn't require brain matter, you f'n retard. Where in your post does it say anything about the method that the animals are killed? I think this is THE BIGGEST problem w/ using these animals, not that they are dogs. There's even a post discussing this right above yours and you don't mention it. Open your eyes, a-hole.

For those above who believe the fur is harvested in a "cruelty-free" manner have never been exposed to the industry. I was raised in a trapping environment and and can attest that humane or painless treatment is not a consideration. One has to develop a sense of objectiveness were the animal is nothing more than a rock or clod of dirt. I have seen animals caught in leg hold traps for days while they try to unsuccessfully chew their legs off or ravens swoop down and pick out their eye balls from their captive prey. A club is used to dispatch an animal, which often stuns the animal, to save on a 3 penny bullet

I admit that I was ignorant to some (actaully all) of the information about raccoon dogs. I actually was pointed towards a youtube video in which it showed a living breathing feeling beautiful creature slammed on the ground and skinned alive...that led me to other sites with other information and so on a so forth...and so here I am.

I think that many people don't think that this type of thing really goes on. I mean, personally, I couldn't even dream of doing something so horrindous (sp) to a living being. Wow.

Seeing the horrible things that we as humans do to other creatures really puts our lives into perspective. I never really thought about the difference between me sitting down and eating a big fat juicy steak and soneone in China roasting and eating a dog...in reality...there isn't a difference. Only what our societies impement as being the norms. I sit and pamper my dog...treating her as though she is actual one of my children while I feel her the left over chicken that I couldn't eat. That same chicken went through the same treatment that raccoon dogs go through that makes us so upset.

I thank all the people that tirelessly make this information available to educate those that do not know of the horrors in our meat and fur markets. They have my respect for doing all they do.

I never realized how many souless people there are in the world. It breaks my heart.

What makes me sick is most of you are missing the point, its not as much were the fur comes from it is how it is harvested. No animal wether domestic or wild deserves to be treated that way. Beaten and skinned alive!
=== author's reponse follows ===
Not quite my intention in writing the post. The market for fur exists. No amount of railing here will change that. I was getting at the concept of fake fake. For that, retailers can be held accountable.

I havew read all the postings on this site but every single one has left out one very important fact, it's not the fact that animals are used for fur and are humanely killed- they are skinned alive. This fact makes it much more serious than simply if meat is ok to kill for why not fur? There are multiple videos of multilple raccoon dogs being brutalised and slammed on the ground right next to other injured raccoon dogs and screaming in pain until they are skinned ALIVE and even then they are not put out of their misery. In America the slaughtering of food animals is strickly monitered and controlled, we as a country never allow unhumane treatment for any reason.

What is the difference between killing animals for meat vs. killing them for fur? First of all, I consume neither, so will not attempt to justify either of these unnecessary things. However, it is important to note that animals killed for fur are regularly found alive and conscious during and after the skinning process. While meat factories are far from the friendly "farms" we'd like to think they are, they generally do not practice the deliberate cruelty of the fur industry. Please see http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/raccdog.html for a profoundly unsettling explanation of how these animals are killed.

I'm taking it that the majority of you have forgotten that man is still an animal. A hyena tends to chase its food until it's tired; at the end of the run, the hyena will actually eat it alive, the meal absolutely unable to defend itself at that point. A bear or fox will "play" with its food before killing it, damaging it much like that of our system. Does this, by any chance, remind you of anything? What makes man different is his ability to think, the line between animal and man is no longer blurred like it was in the Neanderthal days. Animals aren't seen standing near a mall outlet, marching around in circles protesting fur products; this is because they do not think like we do (but this doesn't make them less, please see me out on this one). That animal you just ate might as well be the animal that was mawed by the bear, it would of made no difference. We are all animals. We all have instincts. We all want to live. There's nothing you'll be able to do to stop that.

About the "faux" fur part here, its disturbing to think that all it takes is a mislabeled product to cause so much damage. I'm a particular raccoon dog or "tanuki" fan, just because they're tipping over garbage cans really makes no difference on whether or not the animal should live. We do in fact, take up a lot of room. Taking a lot of room is important on such a small world; without room for the tanuki, where are they to roam, construct homes and hunt? A garbage can is an invitation.

I'm taking it that the majority of you have forgotten that man is still an animal. A hyena tends to chase its food until it's tired; at the end of the run, the hyena will actually eat it alive, the meal absolutely unable to defend itself at that point. A bear or fox will "play" with its food before killing it, damaging it much like that of our system. Does this, by any chance, remind you of anything? What makes man different is his ability to think, the line between animal and man is no longer blurred like it was in the Neanderthal days. Animals aren't seen standing near a mall outlet, marching around in circles protesting fur products; this is because they're quite used to the predator/prey system. That animal you just ate might as well be the animal that was mawed by the bear, it would of made no difference. We are all animals. We all have instincts. We all want to live. There's nothing you'll be able to do to stop that.

About the "faux" fur part here, its disturbing to think that all it takes is a mislabeled product to cause so much damage. I'm a particular raccoon dog or "tanuki" fan, just because they're tipping over garbage cans really makes no difference on whether or not the animal should live. We do in fact, take up a lot of room. Taking a lot of room is important on such a small world; without room for the tanuki, where are they to roam, construct homes and hunt? A garbage can is an invitation.

I thought the skinning alive video was awesome!! All you need to do is throw that varmint on a stick and BBQ it over a campfire with a Budwieser in hand!!! YeeHaw!!

http://www.hsus.org/furfree/news/sean_john_diddy_combs_mislabeled_fur.html

This is the skinning alive video just in case you haven't seen it. It is disgusting but you have to see it to believe that anyone is this cruel.

The Raccoon Dog's Plea

We are not from your country, the U S of A
but we have something important we need to say
Much of the clothing you buy bears our fur as trim
for coyotes, wolves, and other dogs, too, it is grim

Some of the labels say the trim is faux fur
but often without testing you cannot be sure
For there on the collar may be our fur and skin
or that of the other Canidae, who are our kin

Our once huge numbers are now being thinned . . .
Did you know many of us are alive when skinned?
We are caged in large numbers--killed in brutal ways.
But if you speak up for us, we will have our say

Will you protect us, unveil the ugly truth for all to see?
Will you help us to have a future where we are free...

Copyright 2007 Kathy Pippig Harris

Why can't we put the animals to sleep before we skin them alive?

Why can't we just stab them in the heart or something quick? Why do they have to live after being skinned alive?

This is so cruel!

"Does this, by any chance, remind you of anything? "

The difference being that humans have the capacity for reason, morals and ethics, and animals are thought not to.

Anyone who condones this behavior as "natural right" or "natural instinct" makes me frightened for the future.

For anyone who thinks that in North America, slaughterhouses are monitored, etc., and that horrible cruelty does not go on there, do a search on "fois gras" and see how ducks are treated. Approximately 8 or 9 countries have banned this product because it is so cruel.

Look up pig slaughter, or cow slaughter, or see how a company called Agriprocessors treats the cattle that come into the plant. Do a search on "Australian sheep mulesing". This last a process whereby huge sheets of skin on the backsides of young sheep are literally cut away without anasthetic. It can take up to four weeks for the skin to finally heal.

What makes anyone think that it is acceptable to torture/and or kill any living creature? As creatures of so-called higher intelligence, we have a moral responsibility to not abuse our power. Cigarette companies now have to post numerous warning on their packaging. I think that fur companies should have to post photos and video links on their product labels so that people will at least know where that wretched fur collar on their jacket actually came from. I'm sure it wouldn't affect everyone (consider the mindless stupidity of several individuals who've posted here) but some people would be affected.

http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/raccdog.html

to see how the fur is sadistically taken go to this web site/

The raccoon dog video is the worst thing I've ever seen in my life. It left me numb and unable to sleep. Watching it has spured me to a greater compassion for all living things. It's hard to change the actions of ignorant and blatantly cruel and callous individuals on the other side of the world. But I have to try. Yes, America has its problems with the mistreatment of animals, but we also have laws and a Humane Society and courts that enforce the laws. It's not perfect, but it's something. In China, there is nothing, absolutely nothing to stop these crimes against these poor defenseless animals.

=== author's response follows ===
Tibetan monks are having their heads cracked open this week for resisting the ruthlessness. The coming Olympics is ... I don't have to spell this out do I?

The coming Olympics in Beijing are more evidence of the west's acceptance of China's degradation of human rights. Our governments and businesses are walking hand in hand with China for economic reasons alone. With over population, environmental pollution and the rising tide of animal abuse in the US, I fear that the China influence has truly reached our shores.

one of the most horrific and inhumane acts the world has known, yet so few are aware of. the way the raccoon dog is screaming as the fur is being yanked over its head is ... there are not enough repulsive and gut wrenching words for it. the people who do this are extreme masochists... STOP RACOON SKINNING, BOYCOTT THE FUR INDUSTRY

Food is a nessacity to be healthy and meat is important in a diet as long as you are confident and can prove that the meat n your plate came from a well treated non endangered animal that was not deprived of its basic needs then it is fine.fast food chains are un relieable and have miss treated animals.leather comes from the non endengered speices the cow, it is good to use the whole of cow so leather is not like fur.it is a good point to make that humans are the only aniamals that understand everything they do (killing animals) but unfortunetly we requre meat but should not let it become such an industry, know were your food comes from and it is not animal cruelty.this story proves that although compainies try to use faux fur it is either to appeal to customers or to give them a better consions. the fact that macys shared this with the world proves that it is the latter.to anyone who belives certain fur is accepteble go here:http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/raccdog.html

Food is a nessacity to be healthy and meat is important in a diet as long as you are confident and can prove that the meat n your plate came from a well treated non endangered animal that was not deprived of its basic needs then it is fine.fast food chains are un relieable and have miss treated animals.leather comes from the non endengered speices the cow, it is good to use the whole of cow so leather is not like fur.it is a good point to make that humans are the only aniamals that understand everything they do (killing animals) but unfortunetly we requre meat but should not let it become such an industry, know were your food comes from and it is not animal cruelty.this story proves that although compainies try to use faux fur it is either to appeal to customers or to give them a better consions. the fact that macys shared this with the world proves that it is the latter.to anyone who belives certain fur is accepteble go here:http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/raccdog.html
foir gra is not a food that respects animals rights and resturants that think customers will notice or care that it is free range are stuck up themselves.

Raccoon Dogs are skinned alive, go to the hsus website and watch as they slam them on the ground head first then skin them while the wiggle and try to get away. There is a big difference in killing for food and killing for fashion. The skins look better on the animals. How about annally and vaginally electrocuting an animal so you can look good in their fur. How disgusting. If you think its okay you show your ignorance and indifferenc to suffering and cruelty.

I just saw the video with the racoon dog being skinned alive and it was so horible i started to cry. I believe that the way in which the animals were treated prior to them having their skins removed is the real issue. Lets face it there are always going to be some people who want "real" fur garments so there needs to be a way to regulate this particular industry so that the animals are put down humanely (perhaps put to sleep via a needle from an on-site vet?) The other thing is that unlike the animals we eat (pigs, sheep, cows) these fur animals are slaughtered for their fur only. With a cow/pig/sheep for example they are used for more than one purpose (meat, leather/wool and natural sausage casings from intestines) AND they are not an endangered species as they are bred for this reason. And speaking of animal cruelty - now that there are so many people of muslim faith living in western countries alot more abattoirs are practising the halal method of slaughter which basically requires the beasts to have their throats slit and let the animal bleed to death without being stunned or killed first. Tell me how this can be seen as being alright? Is it because the animal was killed in a religious way, in the name of 'allah/god'?

can anyone tell me how the anti fur movement came about?

There is no such thing as humane or eco-friendly fur. A lot of trappers also defend their cause by saying they use 'humane' trapping methods. I have yet to see a humane trap in any way, shape or form. They also say they do this to keep overpopulation of animals at bay. The irony in this is that if people just left the animals alone, we would not upset the delicate balance of nature and have to deal with overpopulation in the first place. It is not only target animals that get trapped. Traps are non-discriminatory and will trap any animal that crosses its path.

It is also propaganda from the fur farmers and furriers alike so that people will keep buying their expensive coats so that they can continue making profit. Money is the root of all evil.

I recently received a petition email regarding the processes used at fur farms in China. I am a 50 year old female and I must admit that in all my years I have not witnessed such cruel butchering of an animal in my life. Although it was suggested by the sending NOT to view the video, I felt compulsed to do so. It is a week since I viewed this horrific email and I am haunted by its contents. How can people be so cruel? What if anything is being done? I have so many questions, but few people to discuss this with as I would not ask others to view this video.

I have seen pics and part of the video skinning these poor animals alive.It made me sick,it was as if I could feel their pain.I realize the pioneers killed and used furs but there is no reason to use fur anymore.To rip the skin off an animals back to put on our backs is disgusting and people who think it's right have no compasion.People should view the video of them beating and skinning animals,maybe then they would get why there are people trying so hard to save them.{Why must man destroy everything beautiful that our creater has put on this earth}

This is for Graylee and others who are under the assumption that these dog's are killed in a (CRUELTY FREE MANNER),I beg to differ,they are NOT killed in a cruelty free manner,these dogs are pulled from cages by the neck using a long pole with a loop attached to the end or slammed on the head with a large stick,then they are grabbed by their back legs and slammed to the ground in order to cause delibrate injuries so the dog cannot run,then their feet are chopped off and then they are slit with a knife on their under belly then the fur is removed from their bodies while STILL ALIVE,now ye tell me that is a cruelty free way to go!...if ye do not believe me then I suggest ye log onto youtube and watch these poor dogs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_jAQAQUfZo

This is for Graylee and others who are under the assumption that these dog's are killed in a (CRUELTY FREE MANNER),I beg to differ,they are NOT killed in a cruelty free manner,these dogs are pulled from cages by the neck using a long pole with a loop attached to the end or slammed on the head with a large stick,then they are grabbed by their back legs and slammed to the ground in order to cause delibrate injuries so the dog cannot run,then their feet are chopped off and then they are slit with a knife on their under belly then the fur is removed from their bodies while STILL ALIVE,now ye tell me that is a cruelty free way to go!...if ye do not believe me then I suggest ye log onto youtube and watch these poor dogs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_jAQAQUfZo