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The importation and selling of cat and dog fur in Canada has to stop says one B.C. politician.
Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies has sponsored a petition created by The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals. The petition is also being backed by the BC SPCA.
“Cat and dog fur can be used in many products that the general public may not be aware of,” said Geoff Urton, BC SPCA senior manager, stakeholder relations. “It is typically found on things like the trim of a jacket, or lining in a pair of boots or gloves, or the plush exterior of a ‘stuffie’ toy.”
With this fur being used that means domestic dogs, cats, and racoon dogs, are raised in small cages to be slaughtered for their meat and fur in many countries. After the slaughter dog and cat fur can legally be imported into Canada and sold.
Countries like the Unites States, the UK, Australia, and The European Union have all deemed this practice illegal, and Davies hopes Canada will soon too.
“The BC SPCA believes that all animals should enjoy, as a minimum, five essential freedoms, and (dogs and cats) living their entire lives in tiny cages only to be slaughtered does not align with those freedoms,” said Urton.
The five freedoms an animal should have are:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from pain, injury, and disease
- Freedom from distress
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom to express behaviours that promote well-being.
Many people may be unaware that they are purchasing items with dog or cat fur in them. Things like the “faux” fur trim on a coat normally can contain real fur and there’s no requirement for the label to state that.
The online petition is asking for three things:
- Recognize the cruelty and inhumane nature of the raising, confinement, and slaughter of dogs and cats.
- Recognize the special relationship Canadians hold with dogs and cats in their homes and workplaces.
- Ban the importation of any dog and cat pelts or furs, and prohibit the sale of said products in Canada.
If this online petition gets at least 100,000 signatures before May 17th it will be formally introduced in the House of Commons.
To sign the petition click here.
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