Montreal, November 4 2015 – Last year, the Montreal SPCA launched the Make Fur History campaign, which aimed to raise awareness of the plight of animals in the commercial fur trade. This year, the campaign is continuing, with a particular focus on retailers and consumers. And, as always, we are asking consumers to shop-cruelty free when looking to purchase winter coats and accessories.

It is that time of the year again, when the temperature starts to drop and many people start shopping for a new winter coat. Sadly the use of fur on coats and other winter accessories, from animals such as coyotes, mink, rabbit and fox is widespread. These animals are either raised on fur farms where they are confined in tiny wire cages that deprive them of the ability to satisfy their most basic behavioral needs before being killed by anal electrocution or gassing or are caught in traps that are designed to hold them against their will – often leading to death by starvation, dehydration or injuries related to attempting to free themselves from the trap.

And, there is virtually no legal protection for animals raised on fur farms in Canada. Provincial animal welfare laws in nearly every province tolerate any and all practices that the fur industry deems acceptable, no matter how inhumane these practices may be. “Animals raised on fur farms are not afforded adequate legal protection – both the law and the fur industry treat them as commodities,” says Alanna Devine Director of Animal Advocacy at the Montreal SPCA. “Fur is an unnecessary luxury item that is the product of needless suffering of animals that are no different from the dogs and cats we have in our homes. We want people to make that connection – and realize that they have the ability to help stop this suffering by choosing to say no to fur”, she adds.

With so many cruelty-free options for winter coats and accessories that use synthetic materials that are as warm as fur or down, there is no reason to support the inherently inhumane fur-industry. On behalf of all the animals who suffer unnecessarily in order to produce winter garments, the Montreal SPCA is asking the public to shop with a conscience by purchasing a fur-free and down-free winter coat and help us #makefurhistory by taking action again this year in our campaign.

Many brands offer cruelty-free and fashionable options, such as: Arc’teryx, Fjällräven, Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC), Columbia Sportswear, Helly Hansen, Hoodlamb, Vaute Couture, and Save the Duck.

Please visit www.makefurhistory.com to see what can be done to put an end to this inherently inhumane industry.

Campaign video: click on this link.

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Media contact: Anita Kapuscinska, Media Relations Coordinator, Montreal SPCA, 514-226-3932, or anitak@spca.com.

About the Montreal SPCA
Founded in Montreal in 1869, we were the first humane society in Canada and our mission is 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.

For more information about the Montreal SPCA, please visit our website at www.spca.com.