Fur farming is an evil industry that profits from the torture and murder of small animals. Mink farms in the United States are preparing for a surge in export of American furs. These furs are in high demand in China, South Korea, and Russia. Last year 11.8 million pelts were exported worldwide by U.S. farmers, trappers, and auction houses, valued at $479,000,000 dollars. Auction houses in Seattle are being inundated with buyers from China.
85% of fur comes from factory farms. It takes up to 70 skins to create one fur garment. These animals spend their entire lives in cramped cages, where injuries such as broken bones go untreated. Their short, brutal life usually ends by being gassed, or electrocuted by placing a probe in the anus, or clamps upon the genitalia, through which electric current passes. This literally "cooks" them internally. Some are poisoned. These means of execution are to ensure that the fur is not damaged. No federal humane slaughter law protects animals on fur factory farms.
They have been forced into cannibalism. Some ranchers grind up the flesh after skinning, and feed it to those still living.
The environmental damage of these farms is great. Each mink produces approximately 44 pounds of feces. This amounts to 1,000,000 pounds of feces annually on U.S. farms. 1,000 tons of phosphorous are produced, which endangers waterways. Water tested near one mink farm in Washington State contained fecal bacteria 5,000 times above the legal limit. Nitrates and other harmful elements are washed into rivers and streams during rain storms.
Chemicals used in the processing of fur include ammonia, formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and other chromates and bleaching agents. Pesticides, vaccines, and antibiotics also contribute to pollution of the environment.
We are calling for a ban against the export of furs. This product not only causes the untold suffering of living creatures, but contributes to environmental damage and pollution in the form of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and methane during a time when we are facing increased global warming.
http://news.yahoo.com/furs-fly-chinese-consumers-drive-boom-u-mink-111758371--finance.html
http://www.ocpausa.org/fur.htm
