Special Notice: Friends of Animals "NO FUR" Buttons
The Winter Badge of Ethics
How many times have you wondered what to do when you run into a human being wearing another animal’s fur?
Ethical vegans know that a society free of intimidation and control is our goal. So we take the high road, with fashionably small yet highly visible buttons that say FUR with a red, diagonal line through the word. Your message is clear.
And your statement is made to everyone in the train, or in the restaurant, in the street or shop — not just after your disastrous collision with the human fur-wearer occurs.
No more reacting to others. Make your statement on your time, everywhere. When you sport the NO-FUR badge, you’ll find that people affirmatively ask you about your views.
Priscilla Feral, Friends of Animals president, recently attracted the attention of a young person in a clothing shop. “What should I know about fur?” the young person asked, contemplating the Friends of Animals NO-FUR button. “My diet is purely vegetarian, but I’ve seen some new styles of chinchilla, and was thinking about it.”
A dialogue followed, and the young person became aware of the reasons to think beyond diet, and make peaceful decisions as a guiding philosophy. So much is available now in organic and sustainable fabrics for all seasons. Without the NO-FUR button, this lively and life-affirming conversation wouldn’t have happened — and some other activist might have run into this same young person in a new chinchilla coat.
Winter has arrived. When will it happen next?
Be ready. Click here to order now. Just $1 each.
Size: Small 1 1/2” diameter (but no one will miss your message, which is black and stop-sign red on a white background.
We ship to: All U.S. postal codes.
14 Comments
On December 30, 2004, Heather wrote:
We all agree that wearing fur is inhumane and a disgusting display of one’s insensitivity to others. However, what can we do about leather? It is everywhere, and I find it impossible never to use products containing leather since it is in so much. How can we be against wearing fur, but then walk home in our leather boots?
On December 31, 2004, Laura wrote:
I agree with Heather. I am constantly in a battle with myself over not eating meat and wearing leather. How can I wear leather and still justify my vegetarian eating habits as whole-heartedly? I would never wear fur, but can I really condemn these people who do while I’m wearing leather?
On December 31, 2004, Lee Hall wrote:
Leather is definitely an unfriendly fashion statement. Fortunately, there are companies producing certain fabrics that are entirely free of animal products and ecologically sustainable. When Friends of Animals went to The North American Vegetarian Society’s Summerfest this past year, we heard an inspirational talk by Loren Lockman about striving for a peaceful day-to-day lifestyle and using resources gently. Organic cotton, for example, saves the environment, and the animals who call it home, from the serious damage done by cotton-growing. A thought for those who are striving, as Loren is, for the most peaceful methods of day-to-day living. Giving a gift of organic cotton to someone you care about this year might be a good way to support and encourage that person’s commitment to treading gently on the planet. And what better fabric for sporting a No-Fur button? Keep a few extra buttons in your pocket to give to those who compliment your good taste.
Lee Hall
Friends of Animals
On December 31, 2004, Priscilla wrote:
On the score of accessories — bags, belts and shoes — there are lots of decent, non-leather products for conscientious consumers.
Priscilla Feral
Friends of Animals
On January 4, 2005, Rebecca wrote:
Leather alternatives are readily available and frequently cost less and are more durable. As a single mom and a vegan I know about scraping to make ends meet.
On January 8, 2005, lekha wrote:
i do not see the need of wearing or carry or wear leather and fur , as we now do not live in stone age.
we have come far beyond our expectations, and have invented fabric which mimics leather and fur.
so why kill poor animals and wear them, i do not get the logic behind it!!
so please stop this non sense take time and think people
think………………..!!
On January 17, 2005, Mary wrote:
I agree with the non leather wearers here. :-) Heather and Laura are doing well by not eating meat, but in order to be consistent then they are right, they need to give up leather as well. However, as others have mentioned, it isn’t exactly difficult to avoid leather. You just need to know where to look. Non leather products are everywhere now.
When I first went vegan (over nine years ago) I still had some leather goods from before I went veggie. I had this feeling that it was “a waste” not to wear them out, so I gave them to a second hand shop. My son though, a life long vegan, when given a toy that he later discovered was real fur, not fake fur (as the giver insisted) decided to bury it instead. A vegan perspective makes it easier to see leather, fur, etc, for what they are - bits of dead animals. So we had a funeral in the garden.
If you are ever stuck on vegan ethics, my advise is ask a vegan child. They tend to be more clear sighted than adults!
My son also refused a gift of a fake leather jacket, although he knew it was fake. He said that if he wore it then people would think he thought leather looked cool, and that would hurt the animals if other people carried on wearing leather.
On January 20, 2005, cassie wrote:
In response the orginal posters of this board, there are many places to find leather-free boots, shoes and accessories. I actually had to give up plenty of shoes and sneakers and replace them. The effects are two fold- you send out a positve message, AND you dont feel like a hypocrite when you’re eating your veggieburger.
Check out: www.mooshoes.com
On January 24, 2005, Jessica wrote:
I recently saw on the back of a magazie pictures of beautiful innocent animals. Animals have feelings, emotions and how anyone could butcher an animal for “their” own use make me phsically ill. The picture had friends of animals e-mail address at the bottome of the page. It’s heart wrenching. We do NOT live in the stone age and there is no reason to kill animals for their fur or for anything else. People in fur coats look hidious. Leather is an issue that I am thinking over. That’s a tough one. I will get there.
Thank you
On January 28, 2005, Jen Poole wrote:
Going leather-less is really easy. The most difficult thing about it is shoes, since most companies find that leather and suede are the best “fabrics” for shoes because they are strong, durable, and mostly waterproof. But really, so many companies make shoes out of manmade materials. Lower-cost stores like Payless and WalMart carry lots of shoes that are as durable as leather but are made of faux leather because it is cheaper. Just look under the tongue of the shoe to find what it’s made of.
On February 2, 2005, Rebecca wrote:
Wearing fur is cruel. Don’t people know all life is interdependent with one another? Hasn’t anyone heard of fake fur? Why waste your money on something later you’ll regret?
On February 9, 2005, frr wrote:
Well said, Rebecca. I think fur looks so much better on animals anyway. What is the point?!?
On March 4, 2005, Shelley wrote:
I agree with frr. What is the point? But sadly, leather is hard to get away from. Please give me a list of companies that sell faux leather. I would appreciate it!
—
Dear Shelley,
If you can support organic cotton, it seems to us that it is probably your best bet for animals because it is the best material for their habitat. This was explained to us in depth at Vegetarian Summerfest by Loren Lockman (who will speak at our forthcoming conference, 9-10 July in New York City).
See[Patagonia](http://www.patagonia.com/ “Patagonia”) and you can check with them to make sure your order is vegan. They are open any time at 1.800.638.6464 to help on the phone. They try to give something back to nature by supporting grants to the following groups:
Nevada Wilderness Project - www.wildnevada.org
Northern Forest Alliance - www.northernforestalliance.org
Oregon Natural Desert Association - www.onda.org
Oregon Natural Resources Council - www.onrc.org
RESTORE: The North Woods - www.restore.org
Save Our Wild Salmon - www.wildsalmon.org
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance - www.suwa.org
Tuolumne River Preservation - www.tuolumne.org
Utah Rivers Council - www.utahrivers.org
Here is what their site says:
When we scrutinized fabric fibers to determine their environmental impact, we figured cotton was “pure” and “natural,” made from a plant.
We were right about the plant.
As it happens, very little is pure or natural about cotton when it is raised conventionally. Fully 10 percent of all agricultural chemicals in the United States are used to produce cotton, grown on just one percent of all major agricultural land. Conventional cotton crops in six California counties alone are dusted every year with 57 million pounds of chemicals. And research shows that extensive and intensive use of synthetic fertilizers, soil additives, defoliants and other substances wreak terrible havoc on soil, water, air and many, many living things.
There is, of course, an alternative: organic cotton. There are farmers who have been growing cotton without harmful chemicals for years. Their yield is high and the quality of the cotton they grow is equal to or better than conventionally grown cotton. Their methods support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, improve the quality of soil and often use less water. Growing organically takes more time, requires more knowledge and skill, and, for now, costs more. But it’s worth it.
Once we had this knowledge, and the counsel of good friends in the environmental community, we believed we had no choice. In 1996, we converted our entire sportswear line to 100% organically grown cotton. We decided never to go back to conventional cotton, regardless of the outcome.
Best wishes for mindful shopping,
Lee Hall,
Friends of Animals.
On March 25, 2005, Frances Rolfe wrote:
Thankyou for that letter. I found it helpful as I have often wondered whether I can buy more animal friendly products. I do have to admit I agree with Shelley, it is difficult to find a decent leather alternative. Anyway I will now be on the look-out!