Why was the fur trade a good idea?
The fur trade drove European exploration and colonization. It helped to build Canada and make it wealthy. Nations fought each other for this wealth. But in many instances, the fur trade helped foster relatively peaceful relations between Indigenous people and European colonists.
What’s wrong with fur trade?
Conditions are deplorable and filthy. Farmed mink is killed by gassing, violent neck breaking or poisoning, all slow grueling deaths. Approximately 10% of animals die every year due to stress and illness. Discarded skinned bodies of foxes.
Why did the fur trade end?
The fur trade started to decline in the Eastern United States by the late 1700’s. The decline resulted chiefly from the clearing of large areas for settlement. As more and more land was cleared, fur-bearing animals became increasingly scarce.
Why you should not wear fur?
Animals used for their fur are also trapped in the wild and can suffer for DAYS from blood loss, dehydration, shock, frostbite, and attacks by predators. Many are caught in steel-jaw traps—which slam shut on their legs, often cutting the bone—or conibear traps, which crush animals’ necks with pressure.
Is it ethical to wear fur?
Most of us agree that humans have a right to use animals for food and other purposes, but only if we cause them as little suffering as possible. So the North American fur trade also satisfies our second ethical criterion: no unnecessary pain or cruelty is inflicted on fur animals in North America.
Is the modern fur trade an ethical trade?
So, the modern fur trade satisfies our third ethical criterion: the animals serve important purposes. 4. If animals are killed, there should be a minimum of waste. Most North Americans eat meat, and therefore generally consider it ethical to use leather, a “by-product” that would otherwise be wasted.
Where does fur come from in the fur trade?
Most fur from wild-trapped animals comes from the USA, Canada and Russia. In 2017, more than 3 million animals were killed for their pelts by trapping in North America. Traps inflict great pain and anguish, both to the target animals and to unintended victims such as pets and endangered species.
How can you help stop the fur trade?
Help End the Fur Trade Now! You can help stop this cruelty by joining our “Causes” campaign and sharing it on your social-networking sites. And please consider making a lifesaving donation today to help end the fur trade.
Is there a resurgence in the fur trade?
Despite the decreasing popularity of fur and the plethora of faux looks in stores this year, some backward designers are still trying to stage a resurgence of real fur. But as designers try to push the cruelest of fashions, we’re pushing back.