A lot of anti-fur campaigns and fur activist groups don’t have there focal point on the well-being of animals but rather have their attention towards the banning of all fur trade on strong ideological belief. Many of them believe that all fur trades are these barbaric farms that treat animals poorly without compassion or care. They believe animals should not be used for their fur for the fact that it is there’s and not ours to strip away. Although many would agree with them some do not. Fur farms have been around for a stretch of time now. These farms use the practice of breeding and raising certain types of animals for their fur as well as to profit from what they produce. There is a certain history, knowledge, skill, and culture that people who are not in the industry or not a fan of the industry are aware of. In spite of the fact that everyone has the freedom to make their own choice on whether they should wear fur or not, no one is being obligated to wear it. Instead of banning all fur farms these campaigners and activist should concentrate on exposing the ones who specifically do not meet the regulations and the treat of animals.
There are many animals raised in fur farms, and most of them specify oftenly on one certain type of animal. For instance minks have been bred in fur farms for over a century due to the high demand for their soft warm fur. These small mammals have a long, thin bodies, short legs, pointed snouts and claws. They are eliminated each year to make millions of pelts. They are skinned, tanned and made into clothes, coats, accessories, pillows, and blankets. “Through the use of selective breeding, fur farmers have produced minks in shades of black, auburn, cream, and silver”(National Geographics). Minks in the wild do not have these coat colors mentioned above, they are born with a brown coat. That is why they are breed in fur farms to create these array of colors. There fur is durable and warm enough to keep you toasty in cold days. The way that there fur pelts are preserve without rotting is the use of these “non harsh chemicals, such as table salt, water, alum salts, soda ash, sawdust, cornstarch, lanolin and other natural ingredients”(truth about fur). Even though these are non-toxic substances they take a period of time to turn into a stable material. But some manufacturers who want to speed up the process of chemically treating these coats will go to the extremes of using harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde, chromium, bleaching agents and more. It is unsafe for buyers who wear fur or for the workers in some of these industry to be around these harsh chemicals which can cause health problems. The use of these toxic chemicals are polluting and can gradually worsen the environment. It is important to protect our environment and be aware of the manufacturers who still perform using these poisonous substances. The polluting substances can cause or contribute to the environmental degradation on where it’s located. Consequently, if not regulated to using a different kind of chemical that isn’t harsh the establishment ought to be shut down.
One of the chemicals that causes pollution and harm to workers in the industry is called Chromium. It is currently used for treating the skin or hide to be durable and reduce the likely to decomposition. The procedure of chrome tanning is widely considered to be exceedingly poisonous. This chemical from these tanneries that use this substance can cause severe environmental degradation of its surrounding areas. “Chrome tanning process is usually achieved by placing hides into acidic baths which consist of a mix of chemicals, which in most cases means that the leather is no longer a natural product. These baths create masses of toxic wastewater, that when left untreated causes huge environmental and health impacts”(Balincourt). The environmental threat when these tanneries dump liquid and solid waste that contains small or large quantity of chromium can enter the water system in an excessive amount and cause respiratory problems, infertility and birth defects. Poorly managed processing practices and use of unwanted elements can further aggravate the pollution problem.
A large amount of workers experience unpleasant health problem from these industry who use Chromium. “The use of chromium puts workers at risk during the tanning process. If the dust, which is produced when chrome tanned leather is buffed or ground up, is inhaled, it can cause respiratory problems and increase the risk of lung cancer. When chromium comes in contact with the skin it causes dryness and cracking and sores, known as ‘chrome holes’. Even chrome tanned leather in its finished form poses an environmental threat: if the leather seats from scrapped cars are burnt then toxic chromium V1 may be released into the atmosphere. This can even occur as a result of car upholstery being exposed to prolonged strong sunlight”( mahi leather). The fumes from tanneries can cause burning on the eyes and allergic asthma if inhaled. This is common practice in regions that have pretty much non-existent workplace and environmental safety regulations, prevalent throughout poorer nations markets. “Vegetable is always a more natural uset. Although the tanning method is ancient and requires skilled craftsmen, making vegetable tanned leather can develop a rich and beautiful patina, and actually gets better with time and use. It doesn’t crack or dry out and thus has a very long lifespan”(Axess).
Fur farmers provide nourishment and care for there animals. Animals have access to clean water, appropriate diet, proper housing and veterinary care. After all these are living creatures with there own proper needs. “The basic practice of fur farming is fairly standard. Fur farmed animals live in very long sheds. Each animal in a shed lives in a separate cage. Cages are arranged in rows along the length of a shed facing each other a few feet off the ground for ease of clearing droppings. These cages give the farm animals sufficient space for normal movement and investigative behaviour”(How to do, animals rights). It is important for all animals in fur farms to have space and not be restricted and uncomfortable. Mink cages at most fur farms have nesting boxes that protect them from bad weather and contain straw or wood inside them. There cages are not piled ontop of eachother due to the fact that the ground is used for their droppings. In some farms minks have been found kept in cramped and tedious bare wire cages, their paws can become wear down from these cages causing them to become sensitive. If there paws become sensitive they are prone to injuries because of the cage being bare, leading to infected wounds. Infected wounds without veterinary care can lead to the minks suffering or even in most cases there death. If the there living conditions become unsuitable it can cause chronic inescapable boredom and high stress which leads to uncommon behavior such as pacing in circles, running up and down, rocking back and forth and nodding. The caged fur animals who have been mistreated also fear the approach of humans, are emotionless, and sometimes end their cellmate. “The cramped and unstimulating cage environment found in mink fur factory farms leads to the development stereotypies, self-mutilation and aggression. Stereotypies are caused by frustration of highly motivated ranging and foraging behaviours, repeated attempts to cope with adverse conditions or abnormal brain development in the highly restrictive cage environment.” (how to do, animals right). Minks experience real suffering when they are improperly housed. Inexperienced farmers or farmers that don’t adhere to standards will find that there animals have a high possibility of it becoming unhealthy. If they don’t have access to veterinary care they can also develop diseases. This is why it’s important for farmers to take care of there animal it can be a laborious job.
Feces and urine fall through wire mesh, to prevent the fur being dirtied. These animals have a delicate sense of smell and spend their lives subjected to an unbearable stench if the quantity of feces piled up is out of control. The stench from the feces and urine can cause ammonia and can burn there eyes and lungs. Maggot can infeste puddles collected underneath them if cages are not properly cleaned. This is why farmers don’t pile mink cages on top of eachother. Minks produce tens of thousands of waste every year. “There wastes are high in phosphorus and nitrogen. If the waste is not handled it can get out of hand and contaminate nearby waterways. When it rains this waste can wash downhill towards streams and other bodies of water. If it is left to soak into the soil it can contaminate the groundwater. The nutrients in the waste lead to excessive algae growth which in turn depletes the oxygen in the water” (Animal Liberation Front). Outdated and unprofessional treatment of disposing animal waste can lead to Pollution and several respiratory problems. Odor from the accumulation of animal waste can cause serious health problems if inhaled. Nitrogen in animal waste can turn into gaseous ammonia. “When ammonia enters the atmosphere, it combines with air pollutants mainly nitrogen and sulfur oxide compounds from nearby vehicles, power plants and factories to form PM2.5, which can travel long distances in the atmosphere. That’s how ammonia emissions in one part of the country can impact air quality in a downwind regions”(Ensia). It is important for fur farmers to discard animal waste before it builds up. If not properly handled, the chemicals in the waste collected at these fur confinement operations pollute local water systems. If present in a large enough quantity it can deplete oxygen levels in the water.
On a Contrary to what activists and anti-fur campaigners would want us to consider honest, most farmers take great satisfaction from the safekeeping of their animals and the amount of respect they have done towards them. When the time comes to have them skinned they are not skinned alive in a crucial manner but in a non harmful way. “Minks are euthanized by experienced fur farmers before getting skinned. Farming is a business and, like in most businesses, it is important to be efficient. It is a faster method when animals are euthanized. It is also important to understand that the skinning of a mink or other fur animal must be done very carefully, to avoid nicks and other damage that would lower the value of the fur. Killing is to be done with the least possible disturbance to other animals. Pelting should take place sufficiently far away from enclosures used for other animals so that these animals are not disturbed”(Truth about fur). In Most regions it is illegal to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal. “Skinning an animal alive or in a way that causes it pain is immoral and illegal”(Truth about fur). Yet there are some fur farmer who use barbaric methods that are inhumane. These animals are killed by electrocution, gassing, clubbing, beating them against the ground or by breaking their necks. These methods are designed to avoid damage to the animals pelts but often carried out unprofessionally. One of the cruel killing methods is electrocution. “According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, electrocution causes “death by cardiac fibrillation, which causes cerebral hypoxia, but warns that animals do not lose consciousness for 10 to 30 seconds or more after onset of cardiac fibrillation. In other words, the animals can suffer from a heart attack while they are still conscious”(peta). Minks original habitat are in wooded areas that are near rivers, streams, ponds and marshes. “They are semi-aquatic and highly evolved physiologically to hold their breath. They are therefore highly tolerant to low levels of oxygen, which means they can suffer significantly during gassing”(Fur For Animals) Some anti-fur campaigns and activists get the misconception that all fur farms treat their animals cruelly when the time comes to kill there animal. But thats far from accurate there are “Fur farms that are regulated by municipal and state or provincial laws. Farmers who mistreat or do not provide proper care for their animals can be prosecuted under federal and state/provincial animal-cruelty laws”(Truth about Fur).
When the pelt is removed from a mink, nothing is wasted, nothing at all. Farmers use as much as they can from the animal. The fat is rendered into mink oil that is made for the use in hypo-allergenic facial oils and cosmetics. The oil is used as well to protect and waterproof leather, and now sometimes to produce biofuels. Mink oil can be purchased at some pharmacies, on the Internet. “Mink carcasses are rarely eaten by humans as the scent gland gives the meat a distinctive flavor which most people don’t enjoy. However, they are not wasted. Some farmers trade them for fish offal with fishermen who use them as crab bait. Crabs love mink meat, but seals hate it! Other farmers give the carcasses to people who raise birds of prey or run wildlife preserves, zoos or aquariums. Yet others use them to make organic compost. Or they may be bought and rendered down to provide raw materials for a wide range of products, from tires and paint to makeup and organic fertilizers”(Fur commission USA). If the disposing of animals are incorrectly done and left outside to accumulate it can cause a health hazard from the stench of the rotting corpse and can even spread illness.
Most fur farms are runned by multi-Generation Family. “Today’s farm-raised minks are among the world’s best cared-for livestock. Good nutrition, comfortable housing and prompt veterinary care have resulted in livestock very well suited to the farm environment. National codes of practice and operating guidelines provide further assurance that farmed fur bearing animals are well cared for. In addition, mink farmers voluntarily adhere to stricter codes of animal husbandry to become certified”(Fur commission USA). Fur farms are inspected, well maintained, they also provide needed employment. Fur is the primary product for mink farmers so excellent nutrition and care goes to the animal. The modern fur trade now is conducted responsibly and sustainably. Fur is a natural, renewable, recyclable, long-lasting and ultimately biodegradable clothing material if not used with toxic chemicals. Many animal rights activists need to realize themselves that there are fur farms out there that follow national codes of practice and operating guidelines. For the ones that don’t and are conducting these atrocities should be exposed and banned. Pointing fingers at innocent farmers who treat their animals ethically and are experienced is unfair to not only them but the employes as well. The public gets misinformed and nasty about these fur farms from extreme activists. There is unique knowledge, skills, culture and, values maintained by these family owned fur farms that have heritage in the industry. “Specialized knowledge and skills are needed to select, cut, sew, and assemble fur pelts to produce a garment or accessory. These skills have been maintained and perfected through centuries, passed down from parents to their children. The artisan’s skills and knowledge are part of cultural history and heritage, they should be valued and protected”(truth about Fur). Not all fur is obtained cruelly and not all fur farms are bad.
