How to Tell Real Fur From Faux Fur
by Kristin Underwood, San Diego, CA on 08.28.08
Image source: WashingtonPost.com
After reports last year of "raccoon dog" fur being used and labeled as faux fur, the Humane Society came out with a few quick tests you can use to test whether any animals were hurt in production. First, look at the base of the fur - fake fur will have a threaded backing while real fur will just have dyed skin. Second, animal fur tapers into a point - like a cat's whisker or a sewing needle. This one is harder to tell.
The third option is only for fur owners who want to check on a purchase they have already made - snip off a tiny portion of hair and light it on fire. Animal hair will smell like human hair when ignited - synthetic fur won't. If you do find that you have a fur coat and don't feel like you can wear it in good conscience, then the Humane Society has a tip for you (see below). There are other tests commonly used, such as "push-pin test, blow test, finger roll test, color of the fur, length of the fur and relative softeness of the fur" but none of these are very reliable.
The test chart also comes complete with pictures so you know exactly what you are looking for. The Humane Society includes several resources on their website like clothing companies going fur-free, and ways you can donate your furs to animal rehabilitation clinics where they are used to warm animal babies.
:Fur Free::Field Guide to Telling Animal Fur from Fake Fur
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This is a good article, but it misses the first rule of marketing: Sell what people want to buy.
From an environmentalist's perspective, some real fur, like rabbit, is very sustainable. All fake fur, and some real fur is very much unsustainable. We do not want faux fur or some real fur. No idea whether a "racoon dog" is endangered or not - is it? If they breed like rabbits, then that is the better choice over fake fur made with petroleum.
It would be better if this article discussed what is acceptable from an environmentalist's point of view, since this is the audience!!! This website is called "Treehugger" not "PETA"!!!
I don't know Brian, I kind of like an expansive, literal and figurative interpretation of the term "environmentally friendly."
Bravo, great article Kristin.
Disagree with Brian Clark, any environmentalist worth their salt should also show respect towards animals. In my opinion it is impossible to care about the Earth but not about animals as their are as important to the state of the environment as any other thing.
For me respect for the environment goes much deeper than saving money on gas or becoming independent from the electricity company, it is about our fundamental respect for all life, and the Earth itself is a form of life.
Well done to Treehugger for raising this very important concern.
Bill: That's a reasonable point, and it's a good thing this story was posted. But I think Brian has a point, in that from a broad-minded environmentalist perspective, we shouldn't just dogmatically assume that fur is bad because PETA says so. It might just be a little more complicated than that.
Some people who are treehuggers are vegetarians for ethical purposes, my husband for one. He doesn't like to eat meat or wear clothes that came from an animal either, so this article is very informative.
Thanks for the tips!
Raccoon dog fur comes predominantly from China where the dogs are raised like battery chickens, skinned alive, and watch as others are skinned.
I totally agree that no "environmentalist" should be allowed to call themself such if they have a blatant disregard for animal welfare and basic humanity. Aren't animals part of the environment too?
Fur farms in China are not regulated, produce lots of animal waste, and with all the advanced materials coming out of companies like Patagonia who needs fur to stay warm? Unless it is for show, in which case it looked better on the animal than some fat woman in Aspen.