EXCLUSIVE: Charlize Theron Dogs the Fur Trade

by Paula Moore

ARCHIVE: African Mirror inc.

Oscar-winning actor Charlize Theron and her dog, Tucker, seen here in an ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, have a heartfelt message for “furry” fashionistas: “If you wouldn’t wear your dog, please don’t wear any fur.”

As Theron’s ad illustrates, the only difference between our “best friends” and animals killed for their fur is how they are treated. And how they’re treated should sicken anyone who has a fur coat or fur-trimmed jacket hanging in the closet. Visit FurIsDead.com to watch the first-ever video exposé of fur farms in China - the world’s largest exporter of fur - and you’ll see what I mean.

During a year-long undercover investigation, Chinese fur farmers were caught on tape roughly grabbing animals by their hind legs and slamming them head-first against the ground, in a crude attempt to kill them. Other animals are bludgeoned with metal rods or wooden sticks. Some animals are killed, some are merely stunned. Many are skinned while they are still alive.

One investigator recorded a skinned raccoon dog, tossed onto a heap of carcasses, who had enough strength to lift his bloodied head and stare into the camera.

Why should this concern fur-wearers in South Africa? Because the globalisation of the fur trade has made it impossible to know where fur products come from. Raw-fur pelts often move through international auctions before being sewn in other countries. Even if a fur jacket was “made” in Europe, the animals were likely raised and killed somewhere else.

If you’re going to wear fur, you should watch the investigators’ video. I promise, you’ll never look at a fur coat the same way again.

Paula Moore, senior writer for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).