Canadian gov't does nothing to ban dog and cat fur while U.S. takes action

Animal Advocates Watchdog

This news item is regarding the USA but is pertinent to Canada, because
while the Canadian government is doing nothing, our neighbour the USA has
not only banned the import and sale of dog and cat fur, but has also now
just passed a new New York state law (on top of their pending/possible
federal law) which will tighten their federal loophole that allows
fur-trimmed garments below the value of $150 to go unlabelled.

Canada meanwhile invites dog and cat fur in, as it is perfectly legal to
import and sell it, and Canada's Textile and Labelling Act contains NO
requirement that real fur products be labelled at all. Fur, fur-trimmed
items, knick-knacks and accessories made with cat, dog or other fur, can be
sold at a gift shop, department store, dollar store, corner store, drug
mart, etc. in Canada without any label stating that it is real fur, let
alone the origin or type of fur.

The bill's summary can also be seen on the NY State government website at:
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A03754.

Jennifer Allen
Fur-Bearer Defenders
www.BanLegholdTraps.com
www.DogCatFur.com

225 East 17th Ave, Ste 101
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5V 1A6
fbd@BanLegholdTraps.com

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http://www.silive.com/living/advance/index.ssf?/base/living/1187959513167200
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Calling fur by its name

New state law will tighten federal loophole that allows some fur-trimmed
garments to go unlabeled

Friday, August 24, 2007

By LESLIE PALMA-SIMONCEK
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE -- Clothing and accessories that include "real fur"
will have to say so in no uncertain terms under a new consumer and animal
protection law signed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer last week.

The new law will go into effect Nov. 13.

The Humane Society of the United States says the law will protect anti-fur
New Yorkers from a loophole in federal law that allowed retailers to avoid
labeling the item as fur if the real fur on a garment was valued at $150 or
less.

The society discovered last winter that jackets being sold under many brand
names and labeled as faux fur actually contained the fur of raccoon dogs,
which are commonly skinned alive in China.

"Unfortunately, we can't outlaw the inhumane treatment of raccoon dogs and
other animals in China," said Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, (D-Manhattan),
who sponsored the legislation in the Assembly. "But this law will at least
keep unlabeled jackets and jackets falsely advertised as faux from duping
New Yorkers into supporting this cruelty."

Sen. Frank Padavan, a Queens Republican who sponsored the bill in the
Senate, said the law "will allow consumers throughout New York to make more
informed decisions when it comes to making purchases that contain fur and
faux fur."

The law also calls for faux fur garments to be clearly labeled as such.

A bill pending in Congress, the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act,
would ban the sale of raccoon dog fur and would require all garments trimmed
with fur to be labeled.

The bill has garnered the support of 100 co-sponsors and has been endorsed
by retailers and designers including Tommy Hilfiger, Burlington Coat Factory
and Loehmann's.

Meanwhile, the Humane Society has just launched its first fur-free retailer
list for back-to-school and other shoppers.
The list includes Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, J. Crew, Club Monaco, Foot
Locker, Guess?, Victoria's Secret and Urban Outfitters.

For a complete list of more than 50 stores or designers, go to
www.humanesociety.org/furfreeshopping.
Leslie Palma-Simoncek is the style editor for the Advance. She may be
reached at palma@siadvance.com.

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