Buying fur/animal skins second hand

lostinrates

I have some old fur and skins (as you probably read tonight!). I didn't make effort to get it but nor would I throw it away. I am opposed to the ''vanity' fur insutry, in the main. If it were possible to ensure furs were sourced from culled wild mink, for example, I would feel differently about that product but it is not possible to have thi without other people undercutting with a less comprimised ethiclly ''product''.

In fact, something I'd be keen to see is meather tracing, e.g. for new shoes, in the same way as we increasingly have food tracing.

FelinePrincess

I don't want to get involved in a animal rights debate and I know my opinion may seem controversial but I think animal skins are some of the most natural materials for clothing. I love animals (although I'm sure someone will tell me that I can't really like them if I have this opinion) and I spent last week very upset as my new cat became seriously ill and died in less then a week of getting her, I know it's horrible the way they kill them and perhaps some would say it's not necessary but it is far more natural then a fake fur coat or pu leather shoes.

I think animal skins do make some of the most beautiful bags and shoes, and I do own items made from various skins. We can moan about how fashion encourages the fur trade but fur isn't always worn for fashion reasons (eskimos for example and I know it's a long time ago but cave men wore it which makes me believe that nature intended it).

So to answer the question, no I don't see anything wrong with buying fur second hand. I understand why people don't like it but although it's upsetting what happens to the animals I don't mind it.

Feline Princess

hardpressed

Something I heard a while ago, someone approached a lady wearing a fur coat and said " what poor animal had to die so that you could wear that?" to which she replied "my mother-in-law".

the_devil_made_me_do_it

hardpressed wrote: »

Something I heard a while ago, someone approached a lady wearing a fur coat and said " what poor animal had to die so that you could wear that?" to which she replied "my mother-in-law".

A good statement :rotfl:

piratefairy

I own various faux fur coats, which are great in winter and love them, I also managed to find a genuine ocelot fur coat in a charity shop for £10 last winter which is fabulous and I really like it - I don't have a problem with it at all, it looks great and is great quality, I didn't realise until after I bought it that it was real, but it wouldn't have stopped me buying it had I known.
I also was given a short rabbit fur jacket by my grandma too, which is also great. Both of these items are vintage, but I'm not sure that makes a difference to my feelings on fur.

suki1964

Why would you not wear fur if you eat meat?

If the animal is bred for its purpose I have no worries. Sure I wouldnt be buying illegal ivory or skins from protected animals - but farmed animals and animals that are culled under licence - I have no problem with.



Thats MY OPINION only and Im entitled to it

absolutebounder

suki1964 wrote: »

Why would you not wear fur if you eat meat?

If the animal is bred for its purpose I have no worries. Sure I wouldnt be buying illegal ivory or skins from protected animals - but farmed animals and animals that are culled under licence - I have no problem with.



Thats MY OPINION only and Im entitled to it

from a psychological point of view its got nothing to do with views about meat or whether the animal was farmed or not. it is to do with vanity and drawing your values from what other people think. the [person is concerned that other people might not approve and so is prepared to sacrifice her own values for other peoples opinions.

suki1964

absolutebounder wrote: »

from a psychological point of view its got nothing to do with views about meat or whether the animal was farmed or not. it is to do with vanity and drawing your values from what other people think. the [person is concerned that other people might not approve and so is prepared to sacrifice her own values for other peoples opinions.

And like I said - thats my opinion. I dont draw my values from complete strangers opinions
So please keep your psycho bable for someone who cares

GrammarGirl

absolutebounder wrote: »

from a psychological point of view its got nothing to do with views about meat or whether the animal was farmed or not. it is to do with vanity and drawing your values from what other people think. the [person is concerned that other people might not approve and so is prepared to sacrifice her own values for other peoples opinions.

If 'other person' is me, then you've really missed the point of my post. Yes, I would be concerned what other people think, but that's not what I'm basing my opinion on. I would never, ever go into a regular shop and buy a fur coat or croc-skin handbag straight off the shelf, because that to me is supporting the fur trade as it stands currently, and my opinion on today's fur trade is it's cruel, unnecessary and unfair to animals.

My point is, is it any different to buy a second hand animal skin? Does it send out the same message, that you support today's fur trade, or are the ethics different?

My whole point is hypothetical anyway - I'm not going to go back and buy the bag if people in here tell me it's ok. I wanted alternative views. It's a discussion, I don't have to draw any values from it.

absolutebounder

GrammarGirl wrote: »

If 'other person' is me, then you've really missed the point of my post. Yes, I would be concerned what other people think,

That is somewhat obvious

but that's not what I'm basing my opinion on.

One might think otherwise

I would never, ever go into a regular shop and buy a fur coat or croc-skin handbag straight off the shelf, because that to me is supporting the fur trade as it stands currently, and my opinion on today's fur trade is it's cruel, unnecessary and unfair to animals.

Some may well be but crocs are killed for meat amongst other things in Africa. is there anything wrong with using the skin as well as the meat just like they do with cattle?

My point is, is it any different to buy a second hand animal skin? Does it send out the same message, that you support today's fur trade, or are the ethics different?

How is buying secondhand not supporting the trade? are you telling me I can have a second hand gun as a fashion item?

My whole point is hypothetical anyway - I'm not going to go back and buy the bag if people in here tell me it's ok. I wanted alternative views. It's a discussion, I don't have to draw any values from it.

Not vain. Wants lovely croc skin fashion accesory. not sure whether to buy it because of what others think. :rotfl:
Not very convincing