Each year over 50 million animals—including millions of dogs and cats—are killed for their fur worldwide. Although the fur industry does its best to keep the cruelty out of sight, suffering is a common ingredient in all methods of procuring fur, from fur factory farming to trapping. Many, perhaps more than half, of these animals are killed specifically for fur trim—it is not a by-product.
More surprises in the cruel reality of fur production are revealed below.
Dog and Cat Victims
Over two million dogs and cats are victims of the fur trade—primarily killed intentionally for their fur, but also injured and killed in traps set for other animals.
China—Unimaginable Cruelty, Exporter to the World
China is a leading country in number of animals—including dogs and cats—killed for their fur, and in the amount of fur exported to other countries, including the United States. Raccoon dogs have been documented being skinned alive in China; their fur is sold here.
Seal Pups Clubbed and Shot
Canada's annual seal hunt is the largest slaughter of marine mammals on the planet. Hundreds of thousands of seals are killed for their pelts each year, with many skinned alive.
Trapping of Wildlife, Dogs and Cats
Millions of wild animals, including lynx, bobcats and wolves, suffer and die in traps each year. Countless dogs and cats, deer, birds and other animals—including threatened and endangered animals—are also injured and killed each year by the indiscriminate traps.
Newborn and Fetal Karakul Lambs
Newborn and fetal karakul lambs are killed to make fur labeled "karakul," "astrakhan," "Persian," "broadtail" and other names. See the video or read the report on our investigation into karakul fur.
Fur Factory Farms
On fur factory farms and squalid backyard operations around the world, over 45 million animals, including raccoon dogs, rabbits, foxes, mink and chinchillas, spend their short lives in tiny wire cages until they are killed by methods such as neck-breaking and anal electrocution. Raccoon dog fur from China—where the animals are smashed to the ground, and live skinning takes place—is being sold in the United States.
Text and images Copyright © 2007 The Humane Society of the United States. Reproduced from The Cruel Reality of Fur Production