Smith.

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.