2 SAMPLE LETTERS IN THIS ALERT:
1.��TO: HBC Group Stores
2.��TO: Canadian Prime Minister

SAMPLE LETTER #1:
HBC Group
P.O. Box 223, Station A
Scarborough, Ontario � M1K 5C1 Canada
toll-free in Canada: 1-866-746-7422
webmail: shop.hbc.com/webapp/wcs/stores/ servlet/ContactView?storeId=10001
In the subject area, select: general comments.

HBC Group:

I am shocked to learn HBC Group stores Zellers and The Bay in Quebec province carry items derived from dog/cat furs. I respectfully ask for the prompt removal of any goods made from companion animals. Please take responsible action, to avoid negative consumer reaction and a boycott of HBC stores.

Most shoppers would be sickened to know their purchase supports Asia's fur markets, where animals are bludgeoned, hung, electrocuted and strangled � including millions of cats and dogs. Cats are choked in their cages. Dogs are hung from wire nooses and slashed across the groin.

Merchants sell unmarked, dyed and misleadingly labeled boots, coats, linings, toys and homeopathic remedies to unsuspecting consumers. In 2007, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) unveiled hidden dog/cat hides in "fake fur" products from China � the world's leading supplier of finished fur garments. "We went to warehouses with stacks and stacks of pelts from golden retrievers and other dogs. Millions of dogs and cats are killed for their fur, with that fur finding its way into fur trim sold in Western markets," says Wayne Pacelle of HSUS.

In 2005, Swiss Animals Protection East/International documented fur farms in China's Hebei Province. They videotaped workers carving skin from alert dogs, foxes, and other animals. Some fully skinned animals continued to breathe and blink as their hearts pulsated another 5-10 minutes.

During transport, up to 8,000 caged dogs and cats are stacked into a single truck without food or water. At an animal market in Southern China, investigators saw 20 cats smashed inside one wire cage and dead cats draped over cages. Dogs and cats flattened inside filing-drawer size cages were tossed from truck beds on to pavement. Animals screamed as their paws were crushed. Some still wore collars and ID tags, indicating they were stolen companion animals.

Please do not place profit over common decency. All fur is the needless product of violence and suffering. Dog and cat furs are offensive to everyone.

Sincerely,

SAMPLE LETTER #2:
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister � 80 Wellington Street � Ottawa K1A 0A2
fax: 613-941-6900; email: pm@pm.gc.ca
website: www.pm.gc.ca/eng/contact.asp?pageId=30

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

I respectfully ask you to follow the European Union's lead by advocating a ban on the import of cat/dog furs into Canada.

In June 2007 the EU approved legislation to stop imports of cat or dog fur and closed a loophole that allowed commerce in cats/dogs not "specifically" slaughtered for their fur.

The recent discovery of fur derived from companion animals at HBC Group stores in Quebec province has shocked Canadian and international consumers. In fact, shoppers anywhere would be sickened to know their purchase supports Asia's fur markets, where animals are bludgeoned, hung, electrocuted and strangled � including millions of cats and dogs. Cats are choked in their cages. Dogs are hung from wire nooses and slashed across the groin.

Merchants sell unmarked, dyed and misleadingly labeled boots, coats, linings, toys and homeopathic remedies to unsuspecting consumers. In 2007, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) unveiled hidden dog/cat hides in "fake fur" products from China � the world's leading supplier of finished fur garments. "We went to warehouses with stacks and stacks of pelts from golden retrievers and other dogs. Millions of dogs and cats are killed for their fur, with that fur finding its way into fur trim sold in Western markets," says Wayne Pacelle of HSUS.

In 2005, Swiss Animals Protection East/International documented fur farms in China's Hebei Province. They videotaped workers carving skin from alert dogs, foxes, and other animals. Some fully skinned animals continued to breathe and blink as their hearts pulsated another 5-10 minutes.

During transport, up to 8,000 caged dogs and cats are stacked into a single truck without food or water. At an animal market in Southern China, investigators saw 20 cats smashed inside one wire cage and dead cats draped over cages. Dogs and cats flattened inside filing-drawer size cages were tossed from truck beds on to pavement. Animals screamed as their paws were crushed. Some still wore collars and ID tags, indicating they were stolen companion animals.

All fur is the needless product of violence and suffering. Dog and cat furs are offensive to everyone. Please promote a national law to end the trade in dog and cat fur in Canada.

Sincerely,