Dear Criss,

If you are like me, the sight of fur is a strong reminder of just how callous and cruel to animals people can be.

If you're as disgusted as I am—and I hope you are—please read on. We need your help to get the "No Fur" message out to friends, family members, colleagues, and even strangers about why buying and wearing even a little bit of fur must stop. Furriers and their cohorts in the fashion industry are doing everything that they can to promote fur nowadays, sensing a critical turning point in public opinion. They've even gone so far as disguising the species of the animals the fur came from or mislabeling the fur as fake.

When someone—anyone—asks you what's wrong with wearing fur, please tell him or her: everything!

Please let people know that there is not a single federal law that protects animals killed for fur in the U.S. This means that fur farmers get away with cramming minks, foxes, raccoons, and chinchillas into tiny, filthy wire cages—where they stay for months or years, unable to run or play or enjoy any freedom, family, or friendship. They are commonly exposed to snow and sleet in winter and scorching heat in summer and fed slop instead of proper food. They are denied water, and they are killed in frightening and painful ways. Animals raised for fur suffer poisoning, gassing, neck-breaking, and anal electrocution.

To get "wild fur," trappers set metal traps to catch lynx, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and wolves and leave them in traps to suffer for days—in all types of weather. The animals grow increasingly hungry and thirsty before some trappers even try to kill them by jumping on their chests. Many are skinned alive.

Even dogs and cats are killed for their fur—especially for fur collars, hood trims, glove linings, and the like. PETA's undercover investigation into the Chinese fur trade revealed unimaginable cruelty. Millions of dogs and cats are bludgeoned, boiled, strangled with wire nooses, and bled to death before they are skinned for their fur. Imagine if your beloved dog or cat were stolen and killed to be made into fur trinkets or fur trim for American consumers! It's unthinkable, yet it happens.

The fact that it is illegal to import dog or cat fur into the U.S. hasn't stopped this part of the fur trade. The garments are simply mislabeled—marked as fox, raccoon, or some exotic-sounding species. China supplies more than half of the finished fur garments that end up on clothing racks in the United States.

If someone buys any fur whatsoever—even the tiniest scrap—he or she could be wearing a dog or a cat. Either way, the consumer is wearing the remains of an animal who was tortured.

When you're asked what's wrong with fur, please tell people—and keep talking. Explain that every fur coat, lining, or trim represents the immense suffering of several dozen animals—including "trash catch" like dogs and opossums—and is made from the damaged skins of animals who struggled when someone tried to insert electric wires into their genitals. That's right, several dozen—just for one garment!

With so many alternatives available to consumers, why would anyone wear fur? Why would any thinking person perpetuate the abuse and murder of millions of dogs, cats, foxes, minks, chinchillas, raccoons, and other creatures? Please see why dozens of celebrities have said "No!" to fur.

Over the next several weeks, I will be sending you up-to-date news on our latest efforts against the international fur industry, including the heart-wrenching practice of "culling" baby seals in Canada. It's a tough but vital fight. I'll be sure to include immediate actions that you can take to help. Thank you.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid E. Newkirk
President