It can be difficult to know where to start, so the following list ranges from simple decisions you can make as a consumer, all the way to organizing community efforts to educate people, and work towards ending the fur trade. Remember– no action is too small. Every bit of intention is a win for the animals!
1. Be kind, and wear animal-free apparel.
Animals exist for their own reasons. The good news is that there are plenty of great alternatives to the animal products found in some winter apparel. In terms of knowing which retail chains are actively fur-free, the Humane Society of the United States has compiled a list here. Fur Free Retailer is an amazing international effort to give consumers accurate information about which stores are fur-free. In terms of noteworthy companies that will keep your body and heart warm this winter, be sure to check out: Vaute Couture, Hoodlamb, and Alternative Outfitters which are entirely vegan. Companies like Columbia Sportswear, Patagonia, Urban Outfitters, Helly Hansen and H&M are fur-free and offer down-free options as well. You may be surprised how many of the big retailers make a point of not carrying fur in their stores.
If you’re considering opting for a fur-free coat, please consider making it down-free as well. Down is obtained in extremely cruel ways. Instead, we encourage people to look for PrimaLoft in puffy coats. It is a synthetic microfibre insulator that was originally developed for the US Army as a water resistant down alternative. Today, Primaloft is the premier supplier of insulation to the US Army, Marines and Special Forces. Here is a list of brands that use Primaloft.
2. Don’t buy fur-trimmed items or anything made with fur, even if it seems fake.
Due to the lax labeling laws in Canada as well as intentional mislabeling, it is easy to accidentally support the fur industry. We recommend that people do not buy any fur-trimmed items, or anything made with fur, even if it appears to be fake. Be especially careful with boots, shoes, slippers, handbags, toys, ornaments and pet accessories which may legally be made with real fur without identifying it as such.
3. Educate people in your community about fur.
Our campaign has a variety of print materials available by request. They are excellent tools for education and can be handed directly to people, or left behind in offices, stores, schools, etc. We also encourage you to share our video Crying Shame and organize outreach events in your neighbourhoods. We are happy to provide resources for organizing demonstrations outside of stores that sell fur. We encourage you to attend one of our silent vigils or organize your own in your town! No crowd is too small. Any and all efforts to share the truth about fur are critical. Grassroots community organizing has led to some of the most exciting successes for animals in history!
4. Openly and actively boycott business that sell fur, and express your disappointment about their decision to sell fur.
Don’t spend your money at stores selling fur. A refusal to financially support a company based on their decision to sell fur is more powerful than you may initially realize. Consumer pressure on retailers is an excellent tactic that a) discourages people from shopping there b) pressures the retailer to choose animal-free products and c) sends a message to other retailers who may have been considering jumping on the fur bandwagon. Consider organizing your own local boycott of a store selling fur. Remember– the majority of Canadians don’t wear fur, so public opinion is already in your favour.
5. Find out where people can and can’t trap in your community, and consider trying to organize a campaign to ban trapping in your municipality.
Fur-Bearers is happy to provide organizational support and resources to assist with municipal trapping bans. We have had some major successes, including the banning of traps in Surrey and Gibsons, BC.
6. Support Libby Davies with Bill C-296.
While the government, to date, has not supported a ban on dog and cat fur, Libby Davies (Member of Parliament, NDP, Vancouver-East), has introduced Bill C-296. If passed, this bill would ban the import and sale of dog and cat fur. It would also make the labelling of fur products mandatory. Click here to download the petition and organize a petition team in your community! (Note: Unlike online petitions, our petition has been pre-screened by the Government’s Procedural Clerk and Clerk of Petitions. Completed petitions are being accepted and presented in the House of Commons).
7. Encourage your community to resolve wildlife conflicts using non-lethal methods.
Fur-Bearers organizes the annual Living With Wildlife Conference, aimed at addressing human-wildlife conflicts using a non-lethal approach. We have also had several exciting successes preventing the trapping and killing of ‘nuisance’ wildlife. For example, after 25 years of trapping and killing beavers, the city of Cornwall,ON decided to embrace a non-lethal alternative. Fur-Bearers, along with U.S. based Beaver Solutions and local residents, worked together to install the devices. These flow devices manage water levels without harming the beavers. Additional exciting victories have occurred in Mission (BC), Napanee (ON), the Sunshine Coast (BC), Langley (BC) and Burnaby (BC). More info on issues with Municipal Beaver Trapping can be found here.
8. Share this website!
Whether your friends or family are among the majority of Canadians who do not wear fur, or they are huge fans of the fur-trim trend, please share this site with them! Consider sharing it on FB, Twitter, and other social media channels.
9. Become a member of Fur-Bearers! And don’t forget to stay in touch!
Since 1944, we have been working to abolish the commercial fur trade, ban the import and sale of domestic dog and cat fur in Canada, and create opportunities for peaceful co-existence with urban wildlife. Memberships and donations enable us to focus on working directly to end the fur trade: a goal that is completely achievable. This particular campaign would not be possible without the generous support of people just like you. Whether or not you can give monetarily, please consider becoming a volunteer. Don’t forget to stay in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter.
10. Get creative.
What is unique about your skillset? What energizes you? Is there a way to use those skills or talents to protect animals from the fur trade? If so, get in touch with us! We’re always open to new ideas, and firmly believe that a variety of approaches are not only welcome, but critical to successful advocacy and awareness campaigns! Send us an email at: general [AT] furtrimisatrap.com.