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January 24, 2011

Student Action: Fight Fur

Pledge to be fur-free and collect coats for cubs

Millions of animals including raccoon dogs, rabbits,  foxes, mink, chinchillas—even dogs and cats—spend their lives cramped in wire cages only to die a cruel death for fur production. Others are captured in cruel steel-jaw leghold traps and snares.

Many animals are killed specifically for fur trim, like the fur on jacket hoods. Countless dogs and cats also get injured or killed in the United States in traps set for wild animals. And with fur garments in the United States commonly unlabeled, mislabeled, or falsely advertised, you can never really know which animals were killed for a coat.

You can help! 

1. Sign the fur-free pledge and promise to never buy or wear animal fur.

2. Many wildlife rehabilitators use fur to comfort injured and orphaned critters. Hold a fur collection event at your school, community center, church, pet supply stores, or another location around town. Our fur donation page includes a listing of rehabilitators waiting for furs to benefit the animals in their care. Find one(s) near you to send your collected furs!

Before your collection, make sure you’re able to get the furs to your closest rehabilitators, either by mail or drop-off.  If your collection results in more than one box of furs, it’s a good idea to split it up among several rehabbers so that each one receives one box. Or contact the rehabilitator near you to see if they can use more than one box.

3. Planning and publicity will make all the difference for your collection event. Pick a date and find a good collection spot (maybe your school, church, community center, or, with permission, a local store or business).

4. Get the word out about your event at least a month in advance through posters, an announcement over the PA system at school, a Facebook event, and letters to your school and local newspapers. Include the date and location in all your materials, as well as a way people can get in touch with you if they have furs to donate but are unable to make the event.

5. Create a display for your event. Decorate some collection boxes with facts about why fur is cruel. Have handouts and brochures available for people to read and take with them. If possible, have a laptop or DVD player so you can play Cool Vs. Cruel or other fur-free videos. You can also email furfree@humanesociety.org to request fur-free pins to hand out to people who donate fur items.