On Buy Nothing Day, November 25th, animal rights activists targeted the makers and sellers of fur throughout the Bay Area and across the country. In addition to sponsoring events in 20 states, In Defense of Animals (IDA) held one of the largest local demonstrations in San Francisco. Dozens of activists demonstrated in bustling Union Square and in front of the fur and fur-trim retailers Macy's and Neiman Marcus, educating shoppers about where fur comes from. Most fur, activists reported, comes from Chinese fur farms where, due to weaker animal welfare laws, the animals are treated inhumanely and skinned alive. Foxes, minks, rabbits, raccoons and dogs and cats are raised in poor conditions and slaughtered in the name of fashion. After being skinned, the carcasses of the animals are ground up and fed back to the trapped animals.

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IDA's Fur Kills.org | PETA's Fur Is Dead.org

Indybay's 2004 Fur Free Friday Coverage