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Emmie Smith. Dr. Jon Buscall English A – Writing in English 2 December 2009 The Use of Fur is a Violation of Animal Rights There was a time when killing animals was essential for clothing in order to survive the cold seasons. Conversely, wearing fur today has become a status symbol with an ugly truth behind the fur trade industry. A survey by the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) (2006) shows that 85 % of the fur industries’ skin comes from animals living captivated in fur factory farms. 73% of these farms are situated in Europe, 12% are in North America and the rest are distributed all over the world; in countries such as China, Russia and Argentina. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) states that the animals are housed in insufferably small cages and live with physical and psychological hardships such as fear, disease, stress and parasites – all for the sake of an needless global industry that makes a great deal of money annually. Slaughtering animals for clothing has been necessity but is no longer that as there are other humane methods of making garments through synthetic fibre, cotton, etc. By reducing the fur trade, the numbers of animals suffering will decrease as well as the animals being in the risk of endanger. Philosopher David DeGrazia argues in his Animal Rights (2002) about the evidence for pain experienced by animals. He states that confirmations in connection with pain can be divided into three parts: (1) avoiding or escaping

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noxious stimulus (e.g. reflexivity), (2) getting assistance after a noxious event (e.g. crying out), (3) limiting the use of an overworked or wounded body part to authorize rest and healing. The vast of majority of all animals exhibit behaviours of type (1). Type (2) is most pertinent to moderately social animals such birds and mammals (DeGrazia: 42). It is safe to say that animals, like humans, suffer. PETA claims that the slaughter methods used to kill animals in fur factories are horrendous. Clamps are attached to their mouths and anuses, and they are glaringly electrocuted. Others are poisoned with strychnine which results in paralyzing their muscles with excruciating cramps. Neck-breaking and gassing are two other common slaughter methods. Consumers ignore the manufacturing of fur clothing since they do not witness the procedure with own eyes. Although it is known that fur is made of slaughtered animals, it is a fact that can easily be ignored when wearing a once living being as the suffering was not experienced. It is complex to speak up for someone who is lacking a verbal expression. Animals may lack linguistic ability, however, it can not be stated that they do not have feelings. If so, then human babies would also be incapable of feeling pain, fear and pleasure before they acquired a language (DeGrazia: 49). When it comes to domestic animals, people associate more to them than to wild animals, while these animals are a part of households. Nonetheless, according to the international coalition Fur Free Alliance a great deal of fur imported from Asia is mixed with pelts coming from dogs and cats, something that not many are conscious of.

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Even though fur is seen as a symbol of status and it might be argued that it is very insulating for people living in cold areas; the majority of animals bred for fur is used exclusively for their pelt and injure suffering, which is a major wastage as there are other ways to remain warm. The globalization of trade has made it unfeasible to know where fur products come from. Even if a label states that it was made in a European country, the animals were most likely slaughtered on some unregulated farm elsewhere. By rejecting fur and making it associated with a negative aspect instead of glorifying it within fashion and prosperity, less people would wear it, since no one wants to be related to a murderer.

Works Cited DeGrazia, David. Animal Rights: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions). New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 2002. Print. “Taking it to the Streets”. Fur is dead: Learn What Happens on Our Fur Farms and in The Wild. 2009. Web. “Fact about Fur Trade”. Fur Free Alliance Information about Use of Fur, Bearing Animals for Fur. 2009. Web. “Inside the Fur Industry: Animal Factories.” People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): The Animal Rights Organization. 2009. Web.