Montreal, November 5, 2012 – With winter just around the corner, Montreal’s SPCA is reminding the public to shop conscientiously for their winter jackets or coats. Many popular brands of jackets and coats contain real fur trims, the product of trapped or farmed animals such as wolves, coyotes, foxes and minks. Furthermore, Canada not only allows the import and sale of products containing dog or cat fur, but the government does not require that it be labeled.

Each year, the fur industry exploits millions of fur bearing animals, all in the name of fashion. Animals trapped for their fur are caught in traps and typically die cruel deaths, often breaking bones and teeth or chewing off their own limbs trying to escape from the traps, others die due to dehydration or starvation. Animals raised in fur farms live in small cramped caged where they eat, sleep, urinate and defecate. These animals are killed by electrocution, gas chamber, or breaking of their neck or spine or worse.

This year the SPCA is asking the public to think about what choices they make when purchasing a winter jacket or coat. “Often people purchase their winter coats without thinking about whether or not it has real fur on it. They also don’t know the inherent cruelty behind the production of the fur” said Alanna Devine, Director of Animal Advocacy at Montreal’s SPCA. “There are so many warm and fashionable cruelty-free alternatives to fur; there is simply no reason to purchase fur”.

When purchasing a coat, remember to ensure that it does not contain real fur. Canadian labeling legislation doesn’t require the labeling of animal pelts or hides, so, if you are in doubt about whether or not the garment you are looking at contains real fur, err on the side of caution and don’t purchase it until you have done further research.

For more information about ways that you can help protect fur bearing animals, please visit the Association for the Protection of Fur Bearing animals by clicking here.

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Media Contact: Alanna Devine, 514-735-2711 ext 2245, or adevine@spca.com

About the SPCA: The Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was the first humane society in Canada, founded in Montreal in 1869. Guided by the humane ethic, it is the mission of the SPCA to:

•  protect animals against negligence, abuse, and exploitation;
• represent their interests and ensure their well-being;
• raise public awareness and help develop compassion for all living beings.

Our role is to prevent cruelty to animals through a number of actions that benefit animals and humans. Visit our web site at www.spca.com