Real Fur Marketed as Faux

I would like to thank a member of Veggie Boards for bringing this to my attention this morning. As far as I know, it hasn't made any kind of major new headlines as of yet, but it is important to expose this issue to all those who support these designers and stores.

The Humane Society of the United States has issued a warning regarding certain brands, companies and stores for their advertising of faux fur that is in fact fur from rabbits and raccoons. Previous investigations in this area have shown that items advertised as fake fur have had interior labels that contradicted the advertisements, stating that materials came from certain animals. What is alarming about this recent investigation of these brands is that many of the interior labels describe synthetic materials, while research has shown otherwise. In this case, even the most well-intentioned shopper may have unknowingly put their hard earned-dollars toward a winter coat made from animal-based materials.

Below is a short list of what companies are involved in this deception. Please see this article for a full description on what corporations are being exposed and in what ways.

Retailers
Saks Fifth Avenue
Neiman Marcus & NeimanMarcus.com
Lord & Taylor
Dillards.com
Yoox.com
Bloomingdales.com

Brands
Burberry
Andrew Marc
Adam & Eve
Marc New York
Preston & York
Ramosport
Aqua

I have not yet arrived at the most detrimental aspect of this controversial issue.

This would be the fact that there is a legal loophole in which the majority of these companies are well within their rights to not include animal-based materials on their labels. As stated in the article linked above, "The Fur Products Labeling Act currently requires the labeling of fur apparel only if the garments contains more than $150 worth of fur." Further, many of the animal-based materials used by these brands are purchased from China, where there are no animal welfare or fur regulation laws whatsoever. Animals (including domestic dogs and cats) are raised solely for the fur in conditions not sanctioned in the U.S., which is then purchased by these major fashion companies and used in products sold at some of your favourite retailers.

Please see the article for what is being done to protect these animals, and to protect you, the consumer, from this type of marketing deception.

If you would like to do your part, avoid these stores and these labels and let them know that this is unacceptable business practice. When you can, buy locally. Although this is not a perfect practice and there are ways that you could be contributing to a business you don't morally support, avoiding China-based product shows you disagree with their lack of animal welfare laws. Speak to your local political representatives about Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Act. Although, in my opinion, this law does not go for enough for non-domestic animals (I think that regardless of how much fur is used, it should be labeled clearly), it is a step in the right direction. Finally, check out the Fur Free Campaign for more information on this issue and for effective ways to battle animal abuse.