Conscious Choice: All is Fur-given

February 2003

All is Fur-given

by Mary Beth Janssen

Let’s assume your consciousness has been raised in relation to the wearing of fur. How do you envision a better world now that you’ve given up wearing fur or are close to making that decision? You can perhaps decide by choosing which of the following two scenarios most moves you:

Orphaned raccoon pups, moments ago, appeared agitated, pacing, and crying. Now, they’re quiet and peaceful..., snuggled contentedly into their new "surrogate mother," a mink stole provided from donations given to the Fur Free Century Program sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States.

Poor and homeless men, women and children — in dire need of warm coats to brave the bitter cold — wrap themselves in donated furs that are part of a national program created by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Across the Unites States — from Chicago, to Baltimore, to Denver, to New York — PETA is actively hosting these fur coat giveaways that also serve to raise the collective consciousness about the inhumane plight of animals being "harvested" in the fur trade.

Either choice is an enlightened answer to the fur coat(s) languishing in your closet...or the fur trimmed jacket or gloves. Perhaps these were a gift, or part of an inheritance. Coming face to face with your fur karma, a clear conscience can be yours, "fur-giveness" if you will, by donating fur items to one of the exemplary programs of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) or PETA.

Many of us have become aware of the atrocities that animals are subjected to in the fur trade — including, but not limited to animals caught in steel-jaw leg hold traps in the wild who suffer a slow, agonizing death. Or they’re driven mad in tiny fur farm cages to die a gruesome death through anal electrocution, gassing, neck snapping, poisoning by strychnine, and more. Every year, more than 40 million animals are killed for their fur. Depending on the animal, up to 200 pelts (i.e., chinchilla) may be used to create one fur coat.

Becoming aware of these matters, wearing fur becomes the source of much negativity. There’s also the spiritual element. By taking part in putting an end to animals’ suffering, we become involved in a peaceful means of achieving a cruelty-free society that includes an unconditional love and compassion toward the interconnectedness of all life. Many see the wearing of furs as "recreational killing," and a serious moral issue that has a connection to violence in our society. HSUS’s "First Strike" program addresses this connection being made between animal cruelty and human violence.

The Evolution of Wearing Fur

Our ancestors would shield themselves from the cold by flinging pelts over their frigid bodies. Now fast-forward to 2003 and the "commodification" of animal fur. Strolling down Michigan Avenue on a wintry Chicago day, one can spot amongst the sea of humanity those "sporting" fur coats. Seen as a fashion accessory, these "owners" of fur appear to be unaware (or insensitive) about the horrors inflicted upon fur-bearing animals. As a fashion item, fur becomes a symbol of acquisition, vanity, and greed, but at what cost to the animals that suffered to create this fashion item? The fur industry’s advertising and P.R. campaigns go to great lengths to portray fur as a symbol of elegance, but avoid showing how these animals met their gruesome death.

In today’s textile and garment industries, synthetic materials provide excellent protection against the cold. Easily available, more durable, lighter and warmer than animal skins, there is simply no longer any excuse to slaughter animals for their fur. Whether Arctic expeditions, scaling the Himalayas, or strolling down Michigan Avenue, we now have other options.

Fur-Giving Programs

The Humane Society and PETA, both non-profit organizations, have established programs in place for accepting your fur donation. The HSUS focuses on wildlife rehabilitation while PETA utilizes donations for educational activities, including the fur giveaways to the homeless. For both, the donation process couldn’t be easier, while also providing a tax deduction (see end of story for details).

Donating to the Humane Society

The HSUS’s Fur Free Century campaign includes the provision of fur items to wildlife rehabilitators — or animal hospitals, if you will — who use them with orphaned and injured wildlife. Andrea Cimino, campaign manager, says that they have over 100 such wildlife rehabilitators in their database and the numbers are growing as word spreads. "Our hopes are that no animals are killed for their fur," Cimino says, "Killing animals for their fur is cruel and unnecessary. Yet, many people inherit or are given fur as gifts, and whether through a change in their philosophy or knowing that we put these items toward good use — they feel that donating fur to wildlife rehabilitation is one way to give back to the animals. It’s pretty much a win-win situation."

Fur items are cut to appropriate size for a variety of recuperating animals including raccoons, chipmunks, otters, squirrels, rabbits, coyote, etc., and then placed in their enclosure as bedding or nesting. These animals in need are comforted by their furry blanket, or "surrogate mother," and in some cases see it as their furry friend or "playmate."

Bobbie Binns, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator from Atlanta, GA, has first-hand knowledge of HSUS’s fur donation program, "It is a wonderful program that allows those poor creatures who died for fashion to provide comfort for frightened little orphans." She says "Last year I received a rabbit jacket in my first shipment of fur from HSUS. When I first put a sleeve from the jacket in with the bunny babies it was amazing.... I turned the sleeve halfway inside out so fur lined the inside as well as outside. This simulates the rabbit’s nest. They snuggled up and crawled inside. Very happy babies! They really thrived..., doing much better than before having a fur surrogate."

Donating to PETA

You may opt to donate your fur items to PETA which is the largest animal rights group in the world whose charter is to fight animal abuse. For over a decade now, PETA has made fur-wearers quite uncomfortable with their on-going educational activities. The Fur Is Dead campaign continues to bring widespread awareness and recognition to PETA’s cause. They’ve received well over 10,000 coats over the years, and the furs continue to pour in. These fur items are used by activists in demonstrations (such as fur burns which are called "bonfire of the vanities"), library displays, anti-fur "fashion" shows, along with fur giveaways to the homeless.

PETA’s consciousness-raising activities continue to be a catalyst for compassionate and fashion-conscious individuals to turn their back on wearing fur and become advocates for animal rights. Lisa Franzetta is the PETA campaign manager for both the Fur Is Dead program and the fur giveaways. "The fur industry is one of the most egregiously abusive industries in the world," Franzetta said. "So when people put fur donations in our hands, they understand that we’ll use them to raise awareness of animal abuse and what people can do to stop it."

PETA’s fur giveaway program for the homeless has proven to be yet another way in which they can optimize media exposure bringing attention to the plight of the animals, while also helping those in dire need of warm coats. Raeleann Smith, a Chicago activist and the former head of the Fur Is Dead campaign and fur giveaways says, "The fur giveaways go hand in hand with education. They’re not separate from each other. We work with the homeless shelter to set the event up outdoors when possible. This allows us to converse with those in the community while also passing out anti-fur leaflets and pins to passers-by. We invite the media, go on the radio, and in some cases have celebrities join us. Martina Navratilova, a former fur wearer herself, joined us in Denver. This can be quite beneficial in getting the word out about the abuse in the fur industry. When we know better, we do better."

PETA goes to great lengths to conduct the fur giveaways while respecting the confidentiality of its homeless recipients. Before the furs are handed out, the organization applies a one-inch wide indelible painted stripe on the arm to dissuade re-sale of the coat and serve as a deterrent to being stolen. Franzetta says, "The main point here is that the coat is taken out of circulation as something that one may profit from. It is still a functional, warm coat for somebody who has no protection from the elements at all and is out on the street. This coat is not going to be resold and used as a fashion item ever again."

Not Without Controversy

These giveaways to the homeless come with some degree of controversy. Some believe it’s wrong to wear fur — that this applies to all people, regardless of one’s social status. However, PETA’s director, Ingrid Newkirk’s perspective is that at least there can be some higher purpose in the wake of the cruelty committed, "The sad fact is that these coats already exist. We can’t take back the suffering that went into the making of these coats, but because they exist, and through the activities that we conduct, thousands of people have had a change of heart about wearing fur over the years. They send them to us in the hopes that we can use them to raise awareness about what an atrocious industry this is. Because we have these coats, we can give them to those who have no protection from the elements."

Franzetta adds, "One thing that PETA has done over the past two winters — given our high volume of donations — is to send large shipments of coats to Afghanistan in conjunction with relief organizations who have the capability to do distribution at refuge camps—where people are dying from exposure."

Given these options, the compassionate and conscious choice maker can readily make a difference while providing support toward breaking the cruel cycle of animal suffering.

Mary Beth Janssen is a Chicago freelance writer, wellness and organic lifestyle consultant and author of Radiant Beauty: Your Healthy & Organic Guide to Total Body Well-being.

Get More Info:

HSUS’s Fur Free Century Program and First Strike program

PETA’s Fur is Dead Campaign and fur giveaway program or 888-FUR-AWAY (in the U.S. and Canada).

To Donate Your Furs and Claim a Tax Deduction:

Both HSUS and PETA will send you a letter of receipt/thanks. Save this letter if claiming a tax deduction. If you itemize deductions, you can claim fair market value of your donation. If you value a fur donation at $5,000 or more, the IRS requires a "Qualified Appraisal." Have this done before you donate the fur. This appraisal and your letter of receipt may need to accompany your tax returns.

How to Ship:

Place your fur in a sturdy box (a large padded envelope is fine for small items) and package securely.

To donate to the Humane Society of The United States, 2100 L St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037 Attn: Andrea Cimino. The HSUS accepts all fur apparel, fur trims, and fur accessories, including shearling.

To donate to PETA, ship to: PETA, Attn: Major Gifts, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510.

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