Friends of Animals to Launch Major Anti-Fur Advertising Campaign
Darien, Conn., US — The international animal-rights organization Friends of Animals has launched a holiday season anti-fur advertising blitz. The centerpiece of the campaign will be some 75 New York City buses displaying ads that show fur-bearing animals wearing brightly colored wigs with the tag line: “You look just as stupid wearing theirs.” The ad, which appears on Nov. 24 and will run through the holiday season, was created by Atlanta, Ga.,-based Tedco Worldwide.
“The surreal image is eye-catching and thought-provoking,” said Priscilla Feral, president of Friends of Animals. “The ludicrousness of putting wigs on animals makes people reflect on the perversion of decorating human bodies with fur at the cost of the countless lives of other animals.”
A Gallup poll conducted in May this year revealed that 54 percent accepted wearing fur — down 7 percentage points from 2001. Even more starkly, the number of people who believe fur-wearing is wrong went up 7 points.
Another Friends of Animals advertisement, running in Rolling Stone and other prominent magazines, addresses fur trim.
“People may assume fur trim does less harm,” said Feral. “But we’re making it clear that pelts of any size come from yet another animal bought, killed and sold for the fashion industry.”
Beneath the thoughtful gaze of the lynx, the caption, styled as a coat label, makes the vivid point: “If you believe genuine fur trim comes from scraps, where do scraps come from?”
The industry is savvy, and it’s trying to co-opt the language of animal advocates. The International Fur Trade Federation’s 2008 “State of the Industry Report” proclaims: “Animal welfare is key to the success of the fur industry.”
“We won’t let corporate double-speak gloss over ugly realities,” said Feral. “Those concerned with the well-being of living individuals must simply refuse to pay the business that traps, breeds, suffocates and electrocutes animals.”
Pass up fur in any form, including trim and accessories. This holiday season, the message will ring loud and clear.
Founded in 1957, Friends of Animals advocates for the right of animals to live free according to their own terms.
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22 Comments
On November 15, 2008, Anthony wrote:
This is good news. :)
This is a good way to help people understand that wearing fur is wrong.
On November 17, 2008, Edita wrote:
Fantastic news from NYC: I received word today from a fellow activist and friend that our “You look just as stupid wearing theirs” bus ad campaign is already up and running on Midtown Manhattan buses—more than a week earlier than expected!
My friend described how she had been walking on Fifth Avenue with some others, noticed the eye-catching, gorgeous ad on a bus driving by and started cheering with the group of people she was with. She said it looked utterly magnificent sailing down Fifth Avenue; I can’t wait to see for myself!
On November 18, 2008, Polly wrote:
While walking to work today (72 and York) I stopped suddenly because there was the new anti-fur ad on the side of a bus! Fantastic is all I can say - It really makes you stop, look and read! Please make a bumber sticker to go with it, my old FOA anti-fur sticker is very worn and this bus sign would spread the anti-fur message to an even broader audience if it were made into a bumper sticker!!
[Blog editors’ note:There’s a poster, and different
bumper stickers which you can order at our online store. Thanks for the idea to produce one that mirrors the bus ad. It’s a pleasure to hear everyone’s reactions. ]
On November 18, 2008, Dustin Rhodes, Friends of Animals wrote:
That’s fantastic. I didn’t know they were already up!
On November 18, 2008, Dick wrote:
Most people probably dont want fur or can do without it
In the past people couldnt do without it.
But now there are alternatives … but more importantly people are still getting exploited, but the environment needs help
including in the cities. So.
From the perspective of someone who does love animals
you feel too badly for animals and not badly enough for people
because this approach could drive up fur prices and lead to more extinction, which is what nobody wants to happen.
Be careful. Hopefully that wont happen. Nature will win
anyway… Thats the past we dont want it to repeat…
.. Sincerest respects
On November 18, 2008, slaverysucks wrote:
Yeah, I agree , “you look just as stupid wearing theirs” would make a wonderful bumper sticker!
Not too serious or graphic but it drives the message home beautifully.
Good job, guys!
On November 20, 2008, Kermit wrote:
This is good that you guys are trying to save these animals if there weren’t anyone to stop these hateful people there wouldn’t be anymore of these animals
On November 20, 2008, Dustin Rhodes, Friends of Animals wrote:
Dear Dick,
Helping animals is helping the environment—especially by promoting veganism. The United Nations’ 2006 report, Livestock’s Long Shadow, found that animal agribusiness accounted for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions—more than the entire transportation sector.
Animal exploitation is deeply entrenched with human exploitation. It’s not true that a person who advocates for animals doesn’t care about humans. Challenging the root cause of animal exploitation—domination—is a radical approach to tackling many human-centered problems in our society, including racism, homophobia, sexism, etc.
Abandoning fur will not lead to extinction as you claim; it will lead to an end of the fur industry and may prevent extinction of animals who are routinely killed for fur. More and more people find the idea of wearing fur morally wrong (well over half the population in the US, according to a recent poll). We must work to change minds and hearts, encouraging people to consume (and live their lives) according to their deepest principles. That’s how animals—and humans—win.
Dustin
On November 21, 2008, Smiling Chick wrote:
I just saw the ad on the bus this morning. I absolutely love it! It’s the best and most thought provoking anti-fur ad I have ever seen. Kudos to the brilliant people who put this together. I hope people who think wearing fur is okay will change their behavior. Are you selling posters of the ad? I would really like a copy for myself.
[Blog editors’ note: Thanks so much. You can order a poster version of the ad at our online store on FoA’s Web site. They’re priced at two for $7.00.]
On November 22, 2008, munch wrote:
im so happy that somebody cares about animals they need are help hugs for all those peeps who are trying to save all the animals
On November 26, 2008, Allison Geiger wrote:
Great ads! Keep up the amazing work.
On November 28, 2008, dave wrote:
thats great news,this will help people wake up, glad to see the busses running through n.y. fur district, i have 2 bumper stickers on my trucks and they travel the tri-state area, and i do see people slowing down to read them in my mirrow, i also talked 2 hair salons to hang up the posters.i just saw on the news the humane society is sewing 3 major department stores for selling fur from china, good. we definitely need to bring an end to (all fur), and major publicity will do a big part of it.keep up the good work.
On December 3, 2008, Tatiana wrote:
So true but I think you should have included a picture of a suffering animal because out of sight is out of mind. People who wear fur need to be CONNECTED to how the fur was processed because most people are so disconnected in society that they are not connected to the fur-to them it’s just something “pretty” to wear. Just as we have become disconnected from our food due to globalization we have also become disconnected from our clothing.
What needs to be on the poster is something not graphic but heart braking. Perhaps a mink in a cage or a fox being “prepared”. The faces need to pull at the heart strings and there needs to be SOME element of what goes on with the animal how the fur is PROCESSED that must be included in order to successfully reach people. I think a picture of a hundred caged foxes preparing for death would be a stronger message and infinitely more effective. I did not stop eating dairy until I visited and looked at how these beings were being treated.
On December 4, 2008, Ellie Maldonado wrote:
Hi Tatiana,
I think FoA’s ad is so powerful because it clearly speaks for the right of nonhuman beings to belong to themselves. This strikes the root of the concept that permits humans to use them, in a way that pictures of suffering do not.
By striking the root, instead of the process, there’s no room in this ad to bargain with oppression, to claim the fur industry can become “humane”, or to reward those who wear less fur. No matter how nonhuman animals are treated, their fur belongs to them, and we look stupid when we put it on ourselves.
FoA’s ad allows viewers to reflect on this message, rather than avoid pictures of suffering; or in the reverse, appeal to those who somehow derive satisfaction from it.
Ellie
On December 8, 2008, Nathalie wrote:
I read about this campaign on Fashionista.com, and was intrigued. It’s brilliant. I think you’ve found an innovative way to speak to the public, without showing overtly disturbing images. It’s simple, succint and thought-provoking. Mad props.
On December 17, 2008, Jill wrote:
I think this campaign is terrific! I saw it on the bus today and then on the side of a bus this evening, in NYC. It’s GREAT
I am a Jivamukti Yoga Teacher and our school, Jivamukti Yoga School, is very committed to animal rights thanks to our founders Sharon Gannon and David Life.
May All Beings Everywhere Be Happy and Free!
Peace, Peace, Peace.
: ) Jill
On December 19, 2008, marilyn wrote:
yes i am a animal love r and i ‘m glad there people who think like i do . THE FUR BELONGS TO THE animals .i save iguanas. .. i don’t believe in killing … i don’t have no money to send to help y’all but i will fight right beside y’all . like people killing deer just for horns, that is sick or wild animals just for fun .
On December 19, 2008, Vanessa wrote:
I saw this on the side of the bus the other day and was so excited! Keep up the great work!
[Blog editors’ note: Thanks so much, Vanessa; coming from a designer, the compliment has a special value. We appreciate your support and encouragement.]
On December 22, 2008, DC wrote:
OUTSTANDING! I was in New York over the weekend and LOVED seeing them. I think they are a fantastic idea. Keep up advertising like that. Those get the message across.
On December 22, 2008, Rossana wrote:
SUCH A GREAT AD! Strong impact!
Different and intelligent!
I was riding the 103 on 3rd Ave and saw it.
Keep up the great work.
Thank you.
On December 24, 2008, Mïsha wrote:
This campaign will prevent a lot of suffering.
On March 30, 2009, James Montresor wrote:
Ugh, I can’t stand people who wear fur. Not only does it look ugly on people, but its impractical too.
The president of a company that I used to work for is supposedly an animal lover, but she recently bought a pair of designer leather gloves with real civet fur for a few thousand dollars. I was let go from this job because supposedly the company couldn’t afford to pay me (even though I charge less than most graphic designers). I imagine those gloves could have paid my wages for a month. In these trying economic times, it is horrific to waste money on fur especially when it comes on the backs of suffering animals (and the purchase of the gloves funds even more animal suffering).
Why spend so much on animal suffering when a pair of faux-fur is cheaper and looks the same?