Angora rabbits: despite a denial of justice, let's say stop to fur!
In 2016, we revealed unbearable images of Angora rabbits exploited for their wool, howling in pain at the hands of a breeder. Despite our multiple investigations and nine years of legal battles, the examining magistrate decided not to prosecute. For the animals exploited and killed by this industry, we are continuing the fight by keeping up the pressure on brands: after convincing MaxMara, we are addressing Gérard Darel to urge it to change its practices. In February, support this initiative by sharing our letter, and join us in the many cities where we will be present to say stop to this industry of suffering!
Animals tortured, and justice denied
In 2016, we revealed images of an Angora rabbit farm exploited for the fashion industry. These animals are kept in cages, just like all those who are bred for their fur. But here, the males are killed by hand at birth, and the females used for their hair and reproduction. Hair removal sessions in which the gentle rodents are stretched and held in place on a plank while their hair is plucked from all over their bodies, and they scream in a high-pitched voice, their skin raw, before, terrified, they are put back in their cages until the next session.
The reaction of the authorities was simple and sadly predictable: “Move along, nothing to see here!” The Ministry of Agriculture even assured us that the “depilation” method was painless and supposedly “validated by INRA”. They then told the Commission for access to administrative documents (CADA), which we had referred to, that no such document existed. As for the courts, despite our new images from 2018 and 2020 and the reports of our experts, it has been no use: for them, these cries do not necessarily reveal pain, but simply “slight stress”. And yet, without terror or acute distress, rabbits never scream.
New or vintage, a fur coat is a no-no!
The fact that it’s second-hand doesn’t change a thing: behind an angora garment, there’s always a life of caging, suffering and mutilation. At a time when fur seems to be making a comeback among some young people, and since the issue has become a societal blind spot since the closure of mink farms at the end of 2021, we’re relaunching a major campaign against animal products (including feathers and exotic skins in particular) in fashion.
While some brands, such as Gucci, Versace, Armani, Lacoste and Ba&sh, have already renounced fur, others, like American Vintage, prefer to remain stubborn. Behind all the rhetoric about animal welfare, for some people the lives of animals are worth nothing when their bodies or parts are sold for a high price.
As part of the ICE Fur Free Europe campaign run by Eurogroup for Animals with the support of the Fur Free Alliance, of which we are the French representative, we are working to make decisive progress towards banning the fur trade in the European Union. After our action last year to persuade MaxMara to stop using fur in its creations, the brand announced it was halting its production.
Today, we’re urging Gérard Darel to follow suit and commit to more ethical fashion. We invite you to write to the top-of-the-range brand, which values French savoir-faire: we no longer want fashion that comes from animal misery, luxury can renew itself through innovation.
And to go even further, join us at one of the many events we’re organizing in February as part of our national campaign!