Buying fur/animal skins second hand

piratefairy

Well I don't believe my actions make a difference, but that's beside the point, and is not the reason (or an excuse) for me to wear it. Buying one vintage fur coat is not going to cause the industry to continue. Likewise, had you bought the bag. The fur industry will still go strong, however much or little is sold.
I wear fur because I like it, I think it looks good, and I am entitled to that opinion, as is everyone else, who I am not saying is wrong.

thatsfabulous

Thats good you didnt buy the bag

I'm very anti fur, just touching it knocks me sick. I could never buy fur new or second hand fur, why should an animal be kept in cages and have a horrible life being skinned just so people can look fashionable or 'good'. Also they are using dog fur now in china etc and i think thats just so sad

stingeylass

thatsfabulous wrote: »

Thats good you didnt buy the bag

I'm very anti fur, just touching it knocks me sick. I could never buy fur new or second hand fur, why should an animal be kept in cages and have a horrible life being skinned just so people can look fashionable or 'good'. Also they are using dog fur now in china etc and i think thats just so sad

But that argument can also be used againt the meat industry: why should an animal be kept in cages and have a horrible life and a bolt shot through the head just so that people can eat meat?
Also just because some animals that are killed for fur are kept in awful conditions and skinned alive etc doesn't mean that they all are, just as some animals killed for meat are kept in appalling conditions but that doesn't cause people to condemn all meat-eating.

Why is it any sadder for dog fur to be used than any other animal?

janninew

stingeylass wrote: »

But that argument can also be used againt the meat industry: why should an animal be kept in cages and have a horrible life and a bolt shot through the head just so that people can eat meat?
Also just because some animals that are killed for fur are kept in awful conditions and skinned alive etc doesn't mean that they all are, just as some animals killed for meat are kept in appalling conditions but that doesn't cause people to condemn all meat-eating.

Why is it any sadder for dog fur to be used than any other animal?

I think that there are more regulations in the meat industry for the welfare of the animals, than for people in China who skin dogs alive. I think most farmers who have cows, pigs etc take good care of them and when the time comes, the ending is quick and the animal isn't left to suffer a slow and horrific death.

And i think as dogs are considered companion animals, people will always think its worst to wear their fur. People will look at their dogs and wonder why anybody would want to wear their fur (i know i do!) Whether its right or wrong, everybody is allowed an opinion.

FelinePrincess

Perhaps if the fur trade was more openly accepted then there would be regulations in place?

I think it is easy to point the finger at the fur trade and say how unfair and cruel it is (and I'm not saying it isn't) and that it is unneccesary but there are alot of things that we do/buy that have terrible repreccusions on animals the environment. Carrier bags and plastic packaging kill and hurt millions of wild animals but no one will shout abuse at you for carrying one down the street, factories making everything from our clothes to food polute and damage the enviroment, and how many people will think nothing of squashing a harmless spider but will shake their heads at the fur trade? Yes, I know the deaths will be different but pretty much everything we do will have a negative impact on animals somewhere but some things are less ovbious then others.

Don't get me wrong, it makes me very sad what happens to these poor animals but I do think there are far worse things that we do that we all turn a blind eye to.

Feline Princess

janninew

FelinePrincess wrote: »

Perhaps if the fur trade was more openly accepted then there would be regulations in place?


Feline Princess

I do agree to a point with this idea, except I feel most people think it is acceptable to kill a animal and use it to feed ourselves (as we all have to eat!) and i know the veggies won't agree with that, but you will never stop humans eating meat! Whereas killing an animal just so somebody can have a nice new coat seems a little unnecessary!

~*Plushroom*~

GrammarGirl wrote: »

I'm glad I didn't buy it either, because I know I would always feel slightly uncomfortable about owning it.

It's a funny old debate, really. Most of us accept leather as a 'natural fibre' and you never see protesters throwing red paint over a pair of brogues! I guess it's because leather truly is (as is my understanding) a by-product of the meat industry. I don't really see how crocodile skin can be called a by-product, even if they do eat the meat in Africa!

I think I'd be slightly horrified to see someone in a fur coat too. That's another thing that's weird for me - fur really does make me sad, I'd never buy a fur coat, even second hand. It has a different emotional effect on me. Crocodile skin, although I'm not comfortable with it, doesn't generate the same feelings.

Thanks for all of your replies.

I wouldn't have been able to buy it, I'd still feel guilty too - whether new or old it just wouldn't feel right for me.

thatsfabulous

stingeylass wrote: »

But that argument can also be used againt the meat industry: why should an animal be kept in cages and have a horrible life and a bolt shot through the head just so that people can eat meat?
Also just because some animals that are killed for fur are kept in awful conditions and skinned alive etc doesn't mean that they all are, just as some animals killed for meat are kept in appalling conditions but that doesn't cause people to condemn all meat-eating.

Why is it any sadder for dog fur to be used than any other animal?

I only mentioned fur in my post ( and not meat)as thats what the threads about fur & skins etc. and i really very against all fur in general not just dogs. I mentioned dogs because for me that is just outrageous. As another member said there are more regulations in the meat industry for the welfare of the animals, dogs, foxes etc will be skinned alive or sometimes skined for say there leg they just left in pain ( theres lots of info on this on PETA website)
I have a dog so i obviously would be shocked if i knew someone was wearing a dog. If i had a pet pig then am sure i would say the same about someone eating meat however i dont see them as the same thing- fur is 'fashion'.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

GrammarGirl wrote: »

Do you wear leather? I ask purely out of curiosity, I'm not implying that by wearing leather (if you do) your views are any less valid.

I agree that no one should ever believe their actions don't make a difference, whether positive or negative.

I don't generally wear leather, GG, thanks for your question. I tend to wear shoes that are non animal based, and my clothing is usually 'vintage' (for that read 'from the charity shop') natural plant fibres (other than undies and the like, which are non negotiable brand new!).

However, I do have leather DMs for outdoors/rain/sleet/snow and a couple of second hand leather handbags. I have the advantage that DD1 is about to start studying Fine Art & Textiles, so I can get her to make me something rather lovely if I feel like a change. I eat meat - I am not vegan (but admire people with the courage of their convictions) and I am aware of the significant environmental and social costs of leather production. I cannot imagine feeling good wearing a leather or suede coat either, as the whole point of these is that they are made from an animal.

My opinion is that, as long as a person is aware of the consequences of their actions and choices, their opinion is valid and deserving of respect. The refusal to accept responsibility for an action is what, I believe, causes a great deal of suffering both at present and in the future.

And, now, I shall go and sit in my karmically enhanced glow of saintdom and leave all you lovely people alone and meditate....:D

suki1964

janninew wrote: »

I think that there are more regulations in the meat industry for the welfare of the animals, than for people in China who skin dogs alive. I think most farmers who have cows, pigs etc take good care of them and when the time comes, the ending is quick and the animal isn't left to suffer a slow and horrific death.

And i think as dogs are considered companion animals, people will always think its worst to wear their fur. People will look at their dogs and wonder why anybody would want to wear their fur (i know i do!) Whether its right or wrong, everybody is allowed an opinion.

I think 5 years in a pen not able to move is a slow painful death (as most of the continental pork is farmed)