"It's especially problematic that the fur is coming from China, since sellers there routinely mislabel products and use unmistakably barbaric methods of killing domesticated and wild animals," added Pacelle. "Retailers often don't know what they are getting, and consumers often can't tell whether they are buying dog or raccoon, real or faux. Congress should pass the Truth in Fur Labeling Act to ensure that all fur-trimmed garments are properly labeled and that consumers have the best product information available."
A loophole in the current Fur Products Labeling Act provides the fur industry an easy way to slip dog and cat fur onto garments, leaving American consumers, shopping off the rack in local department stores, uninformed and unprotected. The current labeling law, passed during the Eisenhower Administration, requires labeling of full-length fur coats, but excludes jackets and other products trimmed in fur if the value of the fur is less than $150. The HSUS is working to close this loophole through federal legislation, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, introduced by Congressman Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) and Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA). Although Congress adjourned last week without taking action on this bill, The HSUS intends to seek reintroduction of the measure in 2007.
Each year, over 50 million animals worldwide, such as dogs, cats, raccoon dogs, mink, foxes, bobcats, beavers, raccoons, and lynx, are killed for their fur. By supporting fur-free designers, sponsoring fashion design contests and advertising in industry publications, The HSUS's Fur Free Campaign works with both consumers and the fashion industry to encourage decisions that reject the use of fur and instead promote warm and fashionable alternatives.
The Humane Society of the United States
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