Why don't vegans use or buy products containing fur?
In an earlier I post I mentioned that people follow things to different lengths/degrees. This applies here.
What is the connection between fur and veganism?
There are some who follow a vegan diet but they are fine with wearing animal products and there are those who won't. I see this as the key to determining whether someone is following a vegan diet or a vegan lifestyle. To me, the latter goes beyond diet. It's about embracing veganism in every part of life. It's the full shift, if you like.
Now the thing is; it's not always that clear. There are many people who don't 'choose' to use animal products with the knowledge of the suffering involved. They simply don't know, so you can't really say that they 'choose' to do it and are alright with it. Then there are those who know but don't see it as an issue.
If, like many, you haven't thought about how fur is sourced and you aren't aware of the processes involved; you aren't empowered to make a choice.
How is fur produced or sourced?
Often, to save on resources, the animal isn't killed or sedated in any way. However, they need to 'knock it out', so it may be thrown against the floor, stepped on or whacked on the head. After this, they remove the animal's skin. Often these animals become conscious in the middle of being skinned. If they're lucky the 'skinner' will 'knock them out' again. If not, they continue to be skinned whilst they're conscious. Generally, when the job is done their bodies are flung onto a heap and they're left to die.
This link will show you footage of how fur is sourced
Why I won't use fur
Knowing that animals are skinned and may become conscious in the middle of the process is the thing that I find hardest to stomach. I caanot and will not wear or use fur.
“Behind every beautiful fur coat, there is a story. It is a bloody, barbaric story.”