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A Dalmatian skin coat, Persian cat stole or German Shepard jacket- in the USA, you’ll never see such labels. But if the garment is made in China, that could be what you’re wearing. If the idea of dogs & cats used for clothing or meat makes you shudder, you’re far from alone. Most people consider pets as family members and deeply respect for the bond we share with these animals. But in Asian countries where they’re not protected by law, ordinary dogs and cats are killed for their pelts. Furs from domestic pets are sold to unsuspecting buyers, perpetuating an industry that thrives off consumers’ ignorance and guilty of flagrant animal abuse.
Open any newspaper and you’ll read the scandals about cheaply-made products from China and other nations where consumer laws are lax or non-existent. Doubtless there are many reputable Asian companies who make quality goods, but the headlines don’t lie. Manufacturers in Asia can undersell their competitors because they find shortcuts. This often means they operate by disreputable or outright criminal practices, evidenced by shoddy products like tainted baby formula, contaminated grains and lead-painted toys. And in the clothing industry, the shortcut used is to substitute standard garment furs with pelts from domestic cats and dogs.
By mislabeling them or using ambiguous names, clothing makers sell these fur goods to an uninformed and gullible public. Beware of these misnomers & obscure terms on Asian-made fur items:
American Wolf
Asian Jackal
Asian Wolf or Wolf of Asia
Asiatic Raccoon
Asiatischer Waschbär
BioWolf
China Wolf
Corsac Fox
Coyote
Dogaskin
Dogue DeChine
Gaewolf
Goyangi
KouPi or Koupee
Loup d’Asie
Mountain Goat Skin
Pommernwolf
Sakhon or Nakon lamb
Sobaki or Sobaski
Wildhund
All of the above terms are used to mislabel DOMESTIC DOG fur.
Asian Jackal
Asian Wolf or Wolf of Asia
Asiatic Raccoon
Asiatischer Waschbär
BioWolf
China Wolf
Corsac Fox
Coyote
Dogaskin
Dogue DeChine
Gaewolf
Goyangi
KouPi or Koupee
Loup d’Asie
Mountain Goat Skin
Pommernwolf
Sakhon or Nakon lamb
Sobaki or Sobaski
Wildhund
All of the above terms are used to mislabel DOMESTIC DOG fur.
DOMESTIC CAT Fur is sold under these phony or misleading names:
African Cat
Asian Cat or Asian Wild Cat
Genotte
Korean Mink
Lipi or Lippi Cat
Leopard Cat
Lyrenkatze
Maopi or Moupi
Mountain Cat
Somali Cat
Spotted Cat
African Cat
Asian Cat or Asian Wild Cat
Genotte
Korean Mink
Lipi or Lippi Cat
Leopard Cat
Lyrenkatze
Maopi or Moupi
Mountain Cat
Somali Cat
Spotted Cat
Other terms used to disguise or misrepresent fur goods:
Chinchilla Rex, Foxaline, Chinchillette, Erminette, Korean Mink, Orylag = Rabbit
Blacktail, Feh, Sobalsky, Telentka, Teleutka = Squirrel
Zobelkanin = Hamster
Chinchilla Rex, Foxaline, Chinchillette, Erminette, Korean Mink, Orylag = Rabbit
Blacktail, Feh, Sobalsky, Telentka, Teleutka = Squirrel
Zobelkanin = Hamster
Lipi (or Lippi) Cat Fur
Lippi cat is spotted fur that mimics leopard or has ocelot-like patterns of yellow & brown stripes. With top name designers selling it as well as ritzy department stores, one would think it’s legit. But look up ‘lippi cat’ and you’ll discover no such animal exists. It’s only a pseudonym used to dupe unwary buyers. The disturbing truth is that Lipi cat fur comes from common house cats. Domestic breeds such as the Bengal, Egyptian Mau, Ocicat and ordinary mackerel tabbies are slaughtered for their spotted pelts, then sold under the phony name of Lippi or Lipi Cat fur.
Wolf and Coyote Fur
If made in China, Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia, garments labeled as having any type of canine fur are likely to be German Shepard fur. Because of their size and similarity to wolves or coyotes, Shepards & shepard-mix dogs are primary targets for Asian fur suppliers. Though all types of dogs are being killed for fur, the wolf-like and long-haired breeds (Malamute, Husky, Alsatian, Chow, Samoyed, Collie, etc.) are mainly used because they yield large pelts and the fur passes for coyote, wolf or fox without being color dyed or treated.
If made in China, Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia, garments labeled as having any type of canine fur are likely to be German Shepard fur. Because of their size and similarity to wolves or coyotes, Shepards & shepard-mix dogs are primary targets for Asian fur suppliers. Though all types of dogs are being killed for fur, the wolf-like and long-haired breeds (Malamute, Husky, Alsatian, Chow, Samoyed, Collie, etc.) are mainly used because they yield large pelts and the fur passes for coyote, wolf or fox without being color dyed or treated.
The Extent of Pet Slaughter in Asia
Buyers cannot be assured their garments don’t contain pet animal products just by avoiding spotted cat furs or wolf-type furs. With cats, their fur is used almost generically in everything from jackets to bedspreads. Though naturally patterned felines are most prized, Asian fur makers breed or trap cats of all kinds and colors. Just like rabbit, cat fur is easily dyed to any color or pattern and can be passed off as many other kinds of fur. Short-haired dog breeds aren’t safe either as they’re also bred and killed in huge numbers; used not for fur, but as a substitute for cowhide. Dog pelts are sold by the pallet load in China because they’re far less costly to produce than leather from cattle. And these animal products suppliers don’t stop at the dogs & cats they raise, because there’s a plentiful supply of pets to be had on the streets and taken from homes. Animal cruelty investigators have documented evidence of dogs with collars being slaughtered, meaning they once had a home and were someone’s beloved pet.
Buyers cannot be assured their garments don’t contain pet animal products just by avoiding spotted cat furs or wolf-type furs. With cats, their fur is used almost generically in everything from jackets to bedspreads. Though naturally patterned felines are most prized, Asian fur makers breed or trap cats of all kinds and colors. Just like rabbit, cat fur is easily dyed to any color or pattern and can be passed off as many other kinds of fur. Short-haired dog breeds aren’t safe either as they’re also bred and killed in huge numbers; used not for fur, but as a substitute for cowhide. Dog pelts are sold by the pallet load in China because they’re far less costly to produce than leather from cattle. And these animal products suppliers don’t stop at the dogs & cats they raise, because there’s a plentiful supply of pets to be had on the streets and taken from homes. Animal cruelty investigators have documented evidence of dogs with collars being slaughtered, meaning they once had a home and were someone’s beloved pet.
The Fake Fur That Isn’t
DNA tests on garments labeled as containing synthetic fur have revealed an appalling truth: dog & cat fur is being substituted for fake fur. Why would any clothing maker sew real fur onto a coat instead of synthetic fur?- because pet fur is actually cheaper. As oil prices have soared, so has the cost of artificial fur, often costing $10-15 per yard. So Asian clothing makers secretly use dog and cat pelts which cost only a fraction of the price of manmade fur.
DNA tests on garments labeled as containing synthetic fur have revealed an appalling truth: dog & cat fur is being substituted for fake fur. Why would any clothing maker sew real fur onto a coat instead of synthetic fur?- because pet fur is actually cheaper. As oil prices have soared, so has the cost of artificial fur, often costing $10-15 per yard. So Asian clothing makers secretly use dog and cat pelts which cost only a fraction of the price of manmade fur.
If all this comes as a shock and you had no idea such scams were being perpetrated, don’t feel bad. Even well known designers have been fooled into marketing these furs. With their clothes being mass-produced in the Philippines or Malaysia, most designers are unaware that the fur trim used is coming from dogs or cats. As long as the designers seek out the cheapest, Asian sweatshops for manufacture and turn a blind eye to the fur problem, these unsavory practices will go unchecked and dog & cats will continue to die. Look at these famous names selling domestic pet fur and/or mislabeled fake fur on their clothing (a more complete list is available through the Humane Society): Andrew Marc, Dana Buchman, Tommy Hilfiger, Bluefly, Joie, Macy’s, Dillards, Oscar de la Renta, Rocawear, Baby Phat, Neiman-Marcus, Nordstrom’s, Michael Kors, etc.
In Asian countries without animal welfare laws, domestic dogs & cats raised for fur is big business. They’re bred by the hundreds or simply stolen from homes, crammed into tiny cages and kept in filthy conditions. Though no different than your household pet, these animals will never receive affection or be allowed to romp and play. They live very short, miserable lives destined to end in a lingering and painful death. As filmed by animal rights activists, the killing of these cats and dogs constitutes nothing less than a barbaric form of torture.
The fur producers resort to a brutally ineffective means of slaughtering the animals. They’re hanged by wire nooses, left struggling and writhing only inches away from the other animals about to die. A quick death is not ensured when animals are hanged, as anyone whose ever seen a dog get entangled and choked knows. However, the fur harvesters don’t wait for the dogs and cats to expire before starting their gruesome work. To facilitate removal of the skin, the animals’ feet are lopped off with tree-trimming tools and they often slash & gut the belly. Video taken by animal cruelty investigators clearly show that many animals are still alive as the skinning begins.
The suffering these cats and dogs endure is horrific; treatment so cruel and inhumane, it would merit the harshest punishment the US legal system allows. But in China, there are no laws against mistreating dogs & cats and these people operate with immunity. Asian suppliers killing these pets have no allies, not even amongst the fur industry. Though their practices are universally despised, they’re also quietly ignored by the garment industry. Fueled by huge profits, the slaughter of dogs and cats isn’t likely to stop unless consumers take action and stop buying their products.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
To stop the killing of dogs & cats, groups like The Humane Society, WSPA and FOUR PAWS (in the UK) advocate a ban on all fur, real and fake. However, as furs have always been used in fashion, many people view that as an unrealistic goal. If your sentiments on the fur debate lies somewhere in the middle, you can still take steps to be a responsible consumer and protect animals from needless suffering.
~ Never buy Asian-made fur garments ~
As many are now avoiding potentially dangerous Chinese-made products, shoppers should make extra effort to shun fur goods produced in Asian nations. China is the main culprit behind dog and cat fur, accounting for 60% of all imported furs, but other countries are equally suspect. Clothing originating in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and more should be avoided. Comprehensive laws outlawing dog & cat fur are not yet in effect in Europe or the UK, so only ranched furs labeled as originating in and manufactured in the United States & Canada are a safe choice.
~ Purchase only vintage furs that are clearly labeled or identifiable ~
A well-made fur coat can easily last 50 years and used furs cost only a fraction of buying one new. Numerous reputable furriers sell pre-owned garments and will guarantee their quality. By keeping pre-owned furs in circulation, you've made a more ethical and humane choice. Buy used and that’s one more coat that remains hanging on a store’s rack and many less animals sacrificed in the name of fashion.
~ Be informed, be vigilant and be vocal ~
Animal welfare organizations have long known about the domestic pet fur atrocities in Asia and are trying to raise public awareness. PAWS has complied several lists of manufacturers and there’s excellent information on The Humane Society’s website on the campaign against pet fur. But it’s a message that’s gotten lost in the larger debate between the fur promoters versus the anti-fur people. However, this is an issue both sides should agree on and join forces to put a stop to.
- Talk to your friends and fellow pet owners; make sure they know about the dog & cat fur crisis and encourage them to spread the word.
- When shopping, read the tags on fur garments and look for the country of origin. If it’s from Asia, make it a point to tell the store’s management what they're likely selling.
- Your most powerful weapon in the battle against dog & cat fur is your wallet. Refuse to shop at stores which carry Asian fur goods and don’t buy the designer names responsible for them.
(This guide is currently UNDER CONSTRUCTION, but your visit and your VOTE is appreciated!)
Guide created: 11/07/07 (updated 10/11/08)
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