ACTION #1: FOR AMERICANS
To identify your federal legislators and find their
contact info, try:
The Honorable Representative
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Representative,
I am a constituent who cares deeply about animal protection legislation. As a
registered voter in your district, I ask for your
support and cosponsorship of H.R. 891, the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement
Act.
H.R. 891 bans the sale of apparel crafted from raccoon dogs, native canines of China
slaughtered for their fur. The bill expands current
classification of
dog to embody raccoon dogs and stipulates accurate labeling for apparel with
any quantity of fur, regardless of monetary worth.
American consumers have a right to know what they are buying. Present law specifies
fur goods display species, manufacturer and country of
origin. But
the Federal Trade Commission allows retailers to bypass labeling laws for furs valued
under $150. This loophole lets dog-cat furs creep into
the U.S.
In early 2007, Humane Society of the United States unveiled hidden dog-cat hides in
"fake fur" products from China, the world leader in
finished fur garments that exports over half of all furs sold in the U.S. "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.
As part of its investigation, HSUS bought fur trim from 17 retailers, including
Neiman Marcus and JC Penney, that tested positive for
domesticated dog.
Merchants sell unmarked, dyed and misleadingly labeled boots, coats, linings, toys
and homeopathic remedies to unsuspecting consumers.
Most Americans, particularly those who buy faux goods, would be shocked to know their
purchase supports Asia’s dog-cat
fur trade. Chinese fur markets bludgeon, hang, electrocute and strangle fur-bearing
animals, including millions of cats and dogs. Cats are
choked in their
cages alongside live cats. Dogs are hung from wire nooses and slashed across the
groin.
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 sluggishly 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 hard pavement. Animals screamed as their paws were
crushed. Some still wore collars and ID tags, indicating they
were
stolen companions.
Please protect our right to make informed purchases. I strongly urge you to support
and cosponsor H.R. 891, the Dog and Cat Fur Enforcement
Act.
Thank you,
YOUR FULL NAME
ADDRESS, CITY, STATE
COUNTRY
ACTION #2: FOR EUROPEANS
Online Protest For A Loophole-Free Prohibition Of Dog And
Cat Fur
- Help stem the trade in dog and cat furs in the EU and thereby end the brutal
slaughtering of domestic animals in Asia. With just
a click of you mouse, you can call upon European countries to introduce an import
prohibition without exceptions. Say NO to a loophole in the
EU
regulation!
- Send online letter for an European Union ban without loopholes: www.secureconn
ect.at/4pfoten.org/protest/0704/index.php
