Dear Mr. Dickerson,

First, I would like to express how honored and grateful I feel being a part of the world's leading craft marketplace! I have been a seller on Etsy.com for the last four years and my experience continues to be both prosperous and joyful. I find myself inspired daily by the brilliance, beauty, and inventiveness of Etsy's global community of artisans! (I am an avid buyer too!) I adore Etsy wholeheartedly and help promote this precious gem of a site with every given chance.

Please try to imagine my shock and extreme disappointment when recently learning of animal fur allowed to list as a product for sale on Etsy.com. For a highly respected ten-year-old company that always keeps things fresh with forward thinking and caring consideration, I am deeply saddened. I absolutely assumed this lovable marketplace was already fur-free, and had been for years. Especially in the modern world 2015.

There is nothing fashionable about wearing animal fur, it is cruel and unnecessary. Innocent animals including mink, foxes, racoon dogs, rabbits, beavers, wolves, coyotes, and other furbearers are brutally abused and murdered for their fur. Whether caught in steel traps in the wild or anally electrocuted after life in a tiny cage on a fur farm, these animals suffer immensely. Killing methods also include suffocation, gas, poison, and bleeding out while still alive after the animal's throat has been sliced open.

Mr. Dickerson, each day you continue the selling of animal fur on Etsy.com is one more day you are fully supporting the barbaric fur industry. I believe you and your bright staff are incredibly better than this. So much more compassionate and insightful. You have the power to immediately and permanently end the unbecoming connection between Etsy and animal cruelty.

I understand that initially you may have to take a financial loss by banning animal fur. Although, I look at this moment as a magnificent opportunity for Etsy.com to grow stronger and wiser. There's something about doing the right thing that always rewards us in the most surprising and meaningful new ways. I can only imagine the outpouring of love, respect, admiration, and increased sales that would flourish once the world heard the exciting news of a fur-free decision!

Countless of successful online retailers, including Zappos.com and Overstock.com have adopted a fur-free policy. Kindly take a look at a 2015 list of clothing companies that are now fur free

Please deeply consider adopting a fur-free policy for Etsy.com in 2015! I want to once again be profoundly proud of being a part of this special and unique marketplace. Whether handmade, vintage, or repurposed, the selling of animal fur truly does not belong on our beloved Etsy.

Those who sign this petition agree to an entirely fur-free Etsy.com. I will work tirelessly to collect as many signatures needed to help create this positive change.

Thank you for your time and attention. Wishing you and each of your 655 employees a glorious year filled with love, happiness, and compassion.

With trust and love, Melissa Slack

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." -The Dalai Lama