On the Educational Front

August 2008   Dog and Cat Fur Issue   Although the dog and cat fur trade has significantly dwindled in the past decade, the cruel treatment of these animals is still occurring in many places.  Dogs and cats are being killed for their skins for use in coats, blankets, stuffed animals, toys, and accessories.  Oftentimes, dog and cat fur used in clothing is intentionally mislabeled, not labeled, or dyed to appear “faux.”  Manufacturers feel this deception is necessary because of the low cost of dog and cat fur, and the consumers’ reluctance to wear it.   In the 1990s, public outcry against this practice convinced several countries to ban dog and cat fur importation, as seen in the U.S. Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act. This forced companies to move their dog and cat fur production to the Far East where wages are lower and there are fewer regulations.  Unfortunately, China has no animal cruelty laws in place, and more than 2 million dogs and cats are slaughtered each year for their skin with no regard to their suffering.     continue...