Dog and Cat Fur. An appalling trade!

[DawnCt1]

I NEVER thought that I would be on the same side as Alec Baldwin. Sunday night, Larry King's substitute host had Alec Baldwin, among others, as guests.
He talked about the dog and cat fur trade which is booming in China, but also in the Philappines as well. These dogs and cats are either raised and or captured, live horrible lives and then are often skinned alive. The United States has banned the import of these skins and fur products but the type of fur only has to be labled if the product is valued at $150 or more. This fur is used to for glove linings, trim on coats, jackets, novelty animals. I noticed that there are some stuffed animals in the mall that seem to be made of real fur at a kiosk. I would like to know what kind of fur. Sometimes the lables say, "wild cat" or "jackel". That isn't so. It is dogs and cats. The dogs used are often shepherds, chows, retrievers, mixed breeds. Most of the film footage taken was too grisly to be shown. What I saw was appalling. The filming was done with an "open camera" by investigators pretending to be interested in establishing trade. Under cover, hidden filming in China can get you in very big trouble, so what was seen was what they weren't ashamed of. One of the big problems and what would help to put these "businesses" out of business, would be if the European Union would ban the import of these furs. They won't. There is a big market in Europe for dog and cat fur.

 

[ntburns22]

I saw mention of this too. A local congress man was on talking about it also and he mentioned our local weather man who has spoken out about this for years.

 

[cardaway]

Alec should stick to acting and hosting SNL.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Alec should stick to acting and hosting SNL.

Why do you say that? I think his involvement is important, and shows that he is as sickened by animal cruelty as anyone else. There's nothing wrong with using his celebrity to bring attention to this horror.

 

[DawnCt1]

Alec should stick to acting and hosting SNL.

This is the first time in ten years that the guy has made sense. Believe me, I am no fan of his but the case that he and Heather McCartney presented is compelling. He isn't on the PETA fringe. Google Dog and Cat Fur and Betrayal of Trust. The Humane Society of the United States had an excellent article on this issue.

 

[Hercules10]

I say this as a dog and cat owner...just remember in other countries cows are revered and view our use of leather as barbaric.

 

[WhoopyPie]

I say this as a dog and cat owner...just remember in other countries cows are revered and view our use of leather as barbaric.

It's also no more barbaric than using, rabbit, fox, racoon, mink and any other animal that is rasied for their fur and our fashion.

If you're going to be outraged at one, be outraged at all.

I'm not a PETA freak. So don't flame me.

 

[DawnCt1]

I say this as a dog and cat owner...just remember in other countries cows are revered and view our use of leather as barbaric.

Apparently we find the abuse and the trade abhorant enough to ban the imports into this country so I don't see how you can rationalize it with "cultural concerns". Dogs and cats have the ability to develop a bond with humans that goes back to primitive society.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Point taken Hercules..

But I have to say after I read what Dawn wrote, my knees were weak.. I was trying on coats and jackets with fur collars in TJ Maxx this past week, what kind of fur is the question I have now...I see from the previous post we do not trade in this type of fur, phew, makes me feel better.

I am not a fan of Alec Baldwin either......but I am going to do some research on this as Dawn mentioned....What is it we can do to stop this?

 

[DawnCt1]

It's also no more barbaric than using, rabbit, fox, racoon, mink and any other animal that is rasied for their fur and our fashion.

If you're going to be outraged at one, be outraged at all.

I'm not a PETA freak. So don't flame me.

Personally, I don't wear fur, but apparently it is more barbaric and we have outlawed the imports of it into this country.

 

[Crankyshank]

Apparently we find the abuse and the trade abhorant enough to ban the imports into this country so I don't see how you can rationalize it with "cultural concerns". Dogs and cats have the ability to develop a bond with humans that goes back to primitive society.

ITA. The abuse of animals is unacceptable to me. I don't care if it's considered a pet or not in the countries in question, skinning an animal alive is torture.
Dawn, is Alec Baldwin or Heather McCartneyadvocating for any sort of legislation or working for any sort of organization to stop this?

 

[DawnCt1]

Point taken Hercules..

But I have to say after I read what Dawn wrote, my knees were weak.. I was trying on coats and jackets with fur collars in TJ Maxx this past week, what kind of fur is the question I have now...

I am not a fan of Alec Baldwin either......but I am going to do some research on this as Dawn mentioned....What is it we can do to stop this?

I would say that one thing that Baldwin, and actually Dennis Kucinich was saying, it to demand labeling on any amount of fur coming into the country. The big problem is the European Union which has no restrictions. I am terrible at posting links, they only work half of the time, but if you find the Betrayal of Trust link, could you post it?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This was posted on CNN.com two weeks ago on the same subject matter after China was boycotted by Paul and Heather McCartney. It is horrific to read. I actually saw footage of this type of thing on TV once by accident and I've never been able to get the images out of my head. BTW, bears and other wildlife aren't much better off in China, nor are people for that matter.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/11/29/mccartney.china/

 

[DawnCt1]

This was posted on CNN.com two weeks ago on the same subject matter after China was boycotted by Paul and Heather McCartney. It is horrific to read. I actually saw footage of this type of thing on TV once by accident and I've never been able to get the images out of my head. BTW, bears and other wildlife aren't much better off in China, nor are people for that matter.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/11/29/mccartney.china/

I found a very graphic link on voice4dogs. I can't bring myself to post it. It sure makes me think when I see "rabbit fur" that it probably isn't.

 

[Crankyshank]

This is what Heather McCartney has on her site.

WARNING: this contains graphic and distressing photos
http://www.heathermillsmccartney.com/dogcatfur.php

 

[cardaway]

He isn't on the PETA fringe. Google Dog and Cat Fur and Betrayal of Trust.

Maybe you should do a Google search yourself. Type in the words Alec, Baldwin, and PETA and see the numerous hits you'll get.

I say this as a dog and cat owner...just remember in other countries cows are revered and view our use of leather as barbaric.

 

[DawnCt1]

ITA. The abuse of animals is unacceptable to me. I don't care if it's considered a pet or not in the countries in question, skinning an animal alive is torture.
Dawn, is Alec Baldwin or Heather McCartneyadvocating for any sort of legislation or working for any sort of organization to stop this?

Primarily the legislation efforts are focused in England and the rest of Europe. We have had the ban in the USA since 2000, which they feel has increased the imports and increased the market from China into Europe since then. The one piece of legislation that would be useful in the USA is to lable ALL fur products regardless of the retail price of the item. The cut off is $150. Anything below that doesn't have to be labeled and can get into the country. Because we don't know, for that reason, don't buy those fur novelty items. Just for the heck of it, I have to go the mall today. I am going to check at the kiosk, see if the material on these "fake pets" is listed and the country where they are made.

 

[eclectics]

I couldn't watch that show. Animal abuse literally gets me sick. Just thinking about it upsets me terribly. Cudos to those who are spreading the word about China. I hope Europe wakes up soon. The only way to stop this horrible practice is not to buy the product. You don't have to be a PETA person to help the people trying to stop this barbaric torture. As another poster said, living creatures in general, including people, don't fare too well in China. Thank you Dawn for starting this thread. It doesn't usually get a lot of media coverage. aw:

 

[DawnCt1]

Maybe you should do a Google search yourself. Type in the words Alec, Baldwin, and PETA and see the numerous hits you'll get.

In his INTERVIEW he wasn't on the PETA fringe. In the end does it matter? A stopped clock is right twice a day. Do you think that this kind of barbaric treatment, that is so abhorant, that we ban it in the USA is acceptable? Is it acceptable because the Bloviator Baldwin says it isn't?

 

[DisMN]

Apparently we find the abuse and the trade abhorant enough to ban the imports into this country so I don't see how you can rationalize it with "cultural concerns". Dogs and cats have the ability to develop a bond with humans that goes back to primitive society.

Bessie, my aunts pet cow bonded with us and we loved her dearly. We still ate her though.

It's a different culture with different values about animals/pets. I don't think it's up to us to police how another country uses animals as their resources. Upset about this then be upset about trapping here in the U.S., be upset about eating cows, pigs and chickens. Have you seen how they kill the animals we eat?