As levels of animal cruelty and suffering in the name of fur production have reached a record high, Humane Society International (HSI) has written to all major Australian fashion retailers inviting them to sign the ‘HSI 2012 Fur Free Pledge’ in a bid to raise awareness, reduce demand, and ultimately stop the trade. Those that choose compassion over fashion by signing the Fur Free Pledge will be listed on the HSI website as ethical retailers at http://www.hsi.org.au/.

In recent months high demand for fur has led to a notable increase in the kidnapping of domestic cats and dogs in China, the biggest exporter of fur in the world, where no laws exist at all to protect animals from abuse. It seems that they will go to any lengths to get animals for the trade, making no distinction between strays and pets, gathering any they can find.

Once compassionate consumers stop the demand for fur, retailers will stop selling it, and this barbaric trade will one day come to an end.

Australia: 2012 FUR FREE RETAILERS:

List: http://hsi.org.au/index.php?catID=1145

Crackdown on illegal dog fur trade

“A sting operation by the Humane Society International targeting shops in Sydney and online stores in Melbourne found six items labelled synthetic or rabbit fur actually contained illegally imported dog fur. They included vests, scarves and a child’s bag.”  source:  smh.com.au

Click here to learn more about HSI’s campaign to end this cruel trade

Sign HSI 2012 Fur Free Supporter Pledge which states that you will not to buy or wear real fur and believe that the fur trade is unjustified and has to stop - click here.

Write to or send an email to the Australian Government using the contact information below:

• The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
• The Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Justice and Minister for Home Affairs, PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600. Email: Jason.Clare.MP@aph.gov.au
• The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Health, PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600. Email: Minister.Plibersek@health.gov.au

In your correspondence you may wish to include the following points:

• Ask that they direct Customs to properly enforce the law banning cat and dog fur imports into Australia.
• Ask Government to enact legislation to ensure ‘truth in labelling’, making it mandatory to identify the species and country of origin for all fur products.
• Suggest they make retailers aware there is evidence of illegal and hazardous dog fur products on sale in Australia.