 |
 VINTAGE EXC CONDITION NEW ZEALAND GOLDEN GLORY OPOSSUM FUR COAT JACKET M L $250.00 Time Remaining: 5h 13m Buy It Now for only: $300.00 |
 NICE OPOSSUM FUR COAT NEW ZEALAND $50.00 Time Remaining: 13d 19h 55m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 Gittlemans Hooded Thick Opossum Fur Coat Jacket $99.98 Time Remaining: 7d 6h 8m Buy It Now for only: $99.98 |
 80687 Black Opossum Fur Vest Coat Jacket Sz Small $40.00 Time Remaining: 29d 9h 18m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 BLACK OPOSSUM OR LAMB CHUBBY SHORT COAT POCKETS AND COLLAR S GOOD SHAPE $49.99 Time Remaining: 15d 20h 59m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 VINTAGE OPOSSUM FUR COAT JACKET M $75.00 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 57m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 88773 Lovely Brown Opossum Fur Coat Jacket Sz Medium WEISS $37.50 Time Remaining: 25d 8h 58m Buy It Now for only: $37.50 |
 NEW ZEALAND OPOSSUM FUR LEATHER REVERSIBLE LADIES SZ M COAT BOMBER JACKET SHORT $119.99 Time Remaining: 14d 10h 18m Buy It Now for only: $119.99 |
 Andrew Marc Brown Leather Jacket Opossum Fur Lining 10 12 L Efurs4less $299.99 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 37m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
 169 Preowned Dark Brown Opossum Fur Taffeta Full Length Coat Stroller Jacket XL $299.99 Time Remaining: 21d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
 Womens Sz XL Green Opossum Fur Lining Vest EXCELLENT $115.00 Time Remaining: 10d 23h 21m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
 Opossum Fur Liner Beige Women Coat Jacket SZ 10 $140.98 Time Remaining: 14d 17h 44m Buy It Now for only: $140.98 |
 260 Preowned Multicolor Brown Opossum Fur Jacket Coat Stroller L Large $179.99 Time Remaining: 25d 3h 37m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 88012 Fabulous Long Beige Cloth Opossum Fur Lined Coat Jacket $70.00 Time Remaining: 26d 9h 33m Buy It Now for only: $70.00 |
 Womens Sz 10 Brown Opossum Fur Lining Vest Superb Condition $115.00 Time Remaining: 12d 23m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
 ANDREW MARC NEW GENUINE OPOSSUM FUR LEATHER VEST JACKET CLEARANCE MED LARGE $69.98 Time Remaining: 16d 22h 16m Buy It Now for only: $69.98 |
 76652 Sharp Brown Opossum Fur Coat Jacket $100.00 Time Remaining: 26d 8h 43m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
 Opossum Fur Cape or Wrap One Size Fits All Efurs4less $299.99 Time Remaining: 15d 1h 56m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
 Andrew Marc Black Leather Jacket Opossum Fur Lining 10 12 L Efurs4less $299.99 Time Remaining: 10h 31m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
 NEW ZEALAND SZ M 8 DYED BROWN OPOSSUM LONG REVERSIBLE FUR COAT WATERPROOF JACKET $1,219.99 Time Remaining: 29d 13h Buy It Now for only: $1,219.99 |
 AWESOME Neiman Marcus Vest Opossum FUR Coat black Size 10 12 14 16 Large L $449.99 Time Remaining: 2d 5h 25m Buy It Now for only: $499.99 |
 Repair LEATHER COLLAR Brown Fluffy OPOSSUM Fur Vest Liner SZ L L O O K $28.69 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 36m Buy It Now for only: $28.69 |
 Dark Brown Leather Jacket Coat w OPOSSUM fur vest Med $331.50 Time Remaining: 24d 42m Buy It Now for only: $331.50 |
 New Reversible Sheared Opossum Fur Jacket Size XL 14 16 Efurs4less $699.99 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 53m Buy It Now for only: $699.99 |
 OPOSSUM PAW COAT AUSTRALIA FROM MUSCALUS FURS $125.00 Time Remaining: 4d 17m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 Z65 THIS IS IT GORGEOUS TRENCH COAT OPOSSUM VEST FUR 10 13 $129.99 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 57m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 END OF SEASON CLEARANCE SALE Womens Vintage XXS Rabbit w Opossum Fur Coat $195.00 Time Remaining: 23d 17m Buy It Now for only: $195.00 |
 Swing Full Length coat black Opossum Fur trim Coat S $499.99 Time Remaining: 29d 7h 18m Buy It Now for only: $499.99 |
 GREEN FOX COLLAR OPOSSUM LINED GREY TRENCH COAT size 14 $129.95 Time Remaining: 8d 14h 19m Buy It Now for only: $129.95 |
 MINT GREY OPOSSUM FUR VEST WOMEN SIZE 14 16 $95.00 Time Remaining: 22d 23h 33m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
 VTG 70s SUEDED LEATHER LADIES SOFT AUSTRALIAN YELLOW OPOSSUM FUR COAT JACKET S $89.00 Time Remaining: 21d 9h 15m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 Andrew Marc Fluffy Opossum Fur Vest Liner SZ S GOODBUYBARRY $46.98 Time Remaining: 7d 2h 56m Buy It Now for only: $46.98 |
 MINT OPOSSUM FUR VEST FOR WOMEN SZ 6 $95.00 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 32m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
 REVERSIBLE Soft Fluffy Brown OPOSSUM Fur Coat Jacket LOOK $140.98 Time Remaining: 15d 9m Buy It Now for only: $140.98 |
 X20 MUST HAVE OPOSSUM BR FUR VEST+ TRENCH 14 15 $79.99 Time Remaining: 28d 23h 25m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
 Repair Remodel Fluffy Brown Opossum Fur Coat Jacket $72.98 Time Remaining: 28d 17h 53m Buy It Now for only: $72.98 |
 86592 Nice FLUFFY Black Opossum Fur Vest Coat Jacket $25.00 Time Remaining: 25d 9h Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 Womens Sz 8 10 Opossum Fur Lining Vest Brown SUPERB $145.00 Time Remaining: 11d 3h 30m Buy It Now for only: $145.00 |
 EXCELLENT OPOSSUM FUR JACKET COAT FOR WOMEN 4 $435.00 Time Remaining: 28d 20h 28m Buy It Now for only: $435.00 |
 Womens Brand New Spotted Opossum Fur Coat Sale $595.00 Time Remaining: 10d 23h 21m Buy It Now for only: $595.00 |
 OPOSSUM FUR JACKET FUCHS JACKE PELZ MANTEL GIACCA PELLICCIA FOURRURE MANTEAU $90.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 2h 13m |
 119 Preowned Dark Chestnut Opossum Fur Sections Vest Jacket Coat Stroller M $119.99 Time Remaining: 2d 38m Buy It Now for only: $119.99 |
 WARM OPOSSUM RED HOODED PARKA COAT WITH REAL FUR LINING AND FUR VEST SIZE M L $169.00 Time Remaining: 19d 11h 20m Buy It Now for only: $169.00 |
 88018 Sharp Brown Opossum Fur Vest Coat Jacket $40.00 Time Remaining: 27d 9h 10m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 VINTAGE REVERSIBLE GENUINE OPOSSUM FUR LINED LONG RAIN TRENCH COAT Small S $249.99 Time Remaining: 14d 4h 43m Buy It Now for only: $249.99 |
 85091 Long Smokey Grey Sheared Rabbit Opossum Fur Vest Coat Jacket Sz 10 $20.00 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 21m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Black Dyed Opossum Black Stankama reversible coat $1,200.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 43m Buy It Now for only: $1,200.00 |
 85082 Casual Brown Opossum Fur Corduroy Coat Jacket Sz Medium ON ON $35.00 Time Remaining: 21d 8h 15m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 25 TRENCH GREEN W BLACK OPOSSUM FUR coat 11 13 $129.99 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 59m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 87217 Sharp Vintage Brown Womans Leather Opossum Fur Coat Jacket Sz12 $20.00 Time Remaining: 13d 8h 52m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Womens Raincoat w Opossum Detachable Fur Lining Black Fox Collar $175.00 Time Remaining: 12d 9m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 |
 88522 Sweet Black Opossum Fur Vest Coat Jacket Sz Medium $50.00 Time Remaining: 26d 8h 52m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 Fluffy Collar Sheared Brown Opossum Fur Vest Liner $80.98 Time Remaining: 18d 6h 32m Buy It Now for only: $80.98 |
 Womens MINT 4 6 Raincoat w Opossum Fur Lining $155.00 Time Remaining: 12d 12m Buy It Now for only: $155.00 |
 Womens Sz 12 Raincoat Opossum Sh Rabbit Fur Lining $295.00 Time Remaining: 12d 23m Buy It Now for only: $295.00 |
 Womens Sz 14 Brown Opossum Fur Lining For Coat Vest Superb Condition $115.00 Time Remaining: 23d 1h 11m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
 Z1 GOTTA HAVE IT OPOSSUM FUR VEST BROWN FIT 8 9 $142.99 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 55m Buy It Now for only: $142.99 |
 Lady Western OPOSSUM FUR Brown CASUAL Women Coat Jacket GOODBUYBARRY $24.78 Time Remaining: 25d 18h 11m Buy It Now for only: $24.78 |
 84708 Great Brown Opossum Fur Leather Coat Jacket Rajac $35.00 Time Remaining: 22d 9h 50m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 SHOWROOM ITEM OPOSSUM FUR LINED WOOL COAT ITEM WOMAN WOMEN SIZE 14 16 $795.00 Time Remaining: 28d 20h 52m Buy It Now for only: $795.00 |
 51 ELEGANTE TRENCH OPOSSUM VEST FUR COAT JET BLACK THE TRENCH 14 15 $179.99 Time Remaining: 5d 23h 32m |
 VTG JACKET VEST WITH REMOVABLE OPOSSUM FUR LINING M $99.00 Time Remaining: 20d 14h 21m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 NATURAL OPOSSUM FUR BLACK REVERSIBLE VEST JACKET COVER UP CARDIGAN M L VINTAGE $39.99 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 18m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 MINT RACCOON OPOSSUM FUR LINED RAINCOAT WOMEN SZ 10 $193.00 Time Remaining: 19d 20h 35m Buy It Now for only: $193.00 |
 Plus Sz New Real Opossum Classic Parka Half Coat Hood Vie Beaver Mink Sable 55 $599.00 Time Remaining: 21d 23h 58m Buy It Now for only: $599.00 |
 Bromley OPOSSUM FUR COLLAR Black WOOL Women Coat Jacket SZ 14 L O O K $40.98 Time Remaining: 25d 1h 51m Buy It Now for only: $40.98 |
 86198 Casual Black Sheared Opossum Fur Vest Coat Jacket Sz Medium $35.00 Time Remaining: 20d 8h 43m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 B24 MUS HAVE IT SWEET JET BLACK OPOSSUM FUR VEST 13 15 $129.99 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 57m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 Irving Samuel Long REAL Opossum Fur Lined Coat Jacket SZ 12 Velvet Soft Fur $50.98 Time Remaining: 7d 1h 36m Buy It Now for only: $50.98 |
 81820 Long Black Opossum Fur Vest Coat Jacket $35.00 Time Remaining: 12d 8h 15m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 Womens Sz 10 Brown Opossum Fur Lining Vest MINT++ Condition $145.00 Time Remaining: 12d 12m Buy It Now for only: $145.00 |
 NEW SHOWROOM OPOSSUM FUR JACKET WOMEN SZ 6 8 $275.00 Time Remaining: 28d 20h 28m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 |
 59077 Fluffy Charcoal Grey Opossum Fur Vest Coat Jacket $20.00 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 20m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Womens Sz 10 Opossum Fur Lining Vest Dk Blue Superb $125.00 Time Remaining: 12d 12m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 88303 Great Black Opossum Fur Vest Coat Jacket Sz XXL $35.00 Time Remaining: 21d 8h 35m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 BRAND NEW OPOSSUM FUR COAT WOMEN SIZE 14 16 $1,295.00 Time Remaining: 22d 20h 57m Buy It Now for only: $1,295.00 |
 C13 TRENCH BLACK COAT OPOSSUM FUR VEST BLACK 14 15 $199.99 Time Remaining: 22d 21h 26m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
 OPOSSUM FUR STRIPED Kramers Grey WOOL Women Coat Jacket GOODBUYBARRY $140.98 Time Remaining: 7d 23h 11m Buy It Now for only: $140.98 |
 MINT RAINCOAT WITH OPOSSUM FUR LINING WOMEN SZ 10 12 $475.00 Time Remaining: 19d 20h 54m Buy It Now for only: $475.00 |
 Opossum Fur Hood Long Swing Style Women Coat Jacket $50.98 Time Remaining: 4d 12h 26m Buy It Now for only: $50.98 |
 brown opossum real fur reverses to tan canvas vest s m $49.99 Time Remaining: 6h 58m |
 86572 FLUFFY Brown Opossum Fur Vest Coat Jacket Sz Medium $50.00 Time Remaining: 26d 7h 17m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 FULL LENGTH BLACK OPOSSUM FUR VEST SZ 10 $115.00 Time Remaining: 11d 8h 34m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
 GORGEOUS RAVISHING NEW ZEALAND MAHOGANY OPOSSUM FUR COAT $2,300.00 Time Remaining: 4d 11h 17m Buy It Now for only: $2,300.00 |
 Womens Sz 8 Raincoat w Opossum Detachable Fur Lining $375.00 Time Remaining: 11d 3h 32m Buy It Now for only: $375.00 |
 86190 Terrific Smokey Black Opossum Fur Coat Jacket Sz Small ANDREW MARC $24.00 Time Remaining: 12d 9h 27m Buy It Now for only: $24.00 |
 Womens Sz14 Black Opossum Fur Lining For Coat Vest Raincoat in Superb Condition $115.00 Time Remaining: 23d 1h 18m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
 X12 OPOSSUM JET BLACK FUR VEST TRENCH SIZE 15 16 $199.99 Time Remaining: 22d 21h 24m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
 SOFT WARM REAL OPOSSUM BLUE BLACK SMALL MEDIUM LOOK $115.00 Time Remaining: 9d 4h 26m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
 EXCELLENT OPOSSUM FUR VEST LINING FOR WOMEN SZ 14 16 $195.00 Time Remaining: 21d 22h 33m Buy It Now for only: $195.00 |
 VERY GOOD OPOSSUM FUR VEST LINING WOMEN 12 14 $149.00 Time Remaining: 8d 22h 31m Buy It Now for only: $149.00 |
 MINT RAINCOAT OPOSSUM RABBIT FUR LINING WOMEN 12 14 $275.00 Time Remaining: 8d 20h 48m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 |
 Womens Brand New Opossum w Lamb Fur Jacket Vest SALE $595.00 Time Remaining: 11d 3h 30m Buy It Now for only: $595.00 |
 88281 Casual Black Rabbit Opossum Fur Vest Coat Jacket $22.50 Time Remaining: 16d 8h 11m Buy It Now for only: $22.50 |
 70995 Sharp Brown Opossum Fur Coat Jacket $50.00 Time Remaining: 10d 8h 41m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 206 Preowned Black Opossum Fur Hood Hooded Jacket Parka Coat Stroller M Medium $179.99 Time Remaining: 7d 25m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 |
 80372 Fluffy Long Grey Opossum Fur Vest Jacket 6 $35.00 Time Remaining: 5d 8h Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 MINT DARK GREEN OPOSSUM FUR VEST LINING FOR WOMEN SZ 12 $95.00 Time Remaining: 28d 20h 40m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
 LEATHER COLLAR VERY SOFT THICK OPOSSUM FUR Vest Liner SZ XL GOODBUYBARRY $120.98 Time Remaining: 6d 1h 19m Buy It Now for only: $120.98 |
 NEW ZEALAND SZ M 8 DYED BROWN OPOSSUM LONG REVERSIBLE FUR COAT WATERPROOF JACKET $1,200.00 Time Remaining: 4d 9h 31m Buy It Now for only: $1,200.00 |
The Fur is Flying
I have to believe that most people buy fur because they are unaware of the pain, suffering and unfathomable abuse that goes into obtaining fur from a living being. To think otherwise would just make me so sad and despairing. I have to wonder how else anyone could wear it?
I must be clear that in actuality, wearing fur is the same as wearing leather. The one difference is that the issue of fur has been newsworthy for decades! Knowing where fur comes from and the horrors of how it is procured is not new news! While we don't often see paint drenched fur coats on the street any more (thankfully, since that is really not the way to raise awareness), we all know that the wearing of fur is (surprisingly!) a divisive issue and that there is a very good reason why so many people are passionate about not wearing it.
I am keenly aware that I have absolutely no chance of changing someone's mind about fur who doesn't really care (Nina Garcia and Michael Kors head the list!), but for those of you who are still reading, I know you must truly want to understand so I will keep writing.
The truth is that whether you're wearing a full-length fur coat, fur trim on your cuffs, or fur-lined gloves, although the volume might be different, the essence is the same. The fur comes from the same place…and it's not pretty!
"Each year more than 9 million wild animals are trapped worldwide and then clubbed, strangled and stomped for their pelts. Caught painfully in steel-jaw leghold traps, wire snares and conibear traps, many fur bearers try to free themselves by chewing off their own feet only to die later from shock and blood loss. This act of self-mutilation illustrates how incredible the pain caused by steel-jaw traps really is for wolves, beavers, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and red and gray foxes. And for every "target" animal caught in one of these painful devices, two to ten times as many "non-target" animals are killed: hawks, owls, deer, and domestic cats and dogs." (www.friendsofanimals.org)
And, that's just the animals that are trapped. Fur farms are equally as dreadful. "There are no regulations protecting animals on fur ranches. Cages are typically kept in open sheds that provide little protection from wind, cold, or heat. In the winter, animals often have to endure sub-zero temperatures. Summers are particularly hard on minks because they lack the ability to cool their bodies without bathing in water."
And, who wants a fur coat that has unsightly marks in it, I mean really! All sarcasm aside, the animals are killed in gruesome ways just so nothing mars that beautiful fur and compromises its market value. As a result, they are subjected to anal electrocution (fox), decompression chambers (doesn't it feel hard to breathe just thinking of that!), or they can have their necks broken like most mink.
I absolutely cannot, in good conscience, wear something from a living being that endured that much misery.
Here's the thing. An animal's fur is gorgeous so it makes sense that we'd admire it. I look at Mickey's tail (he's my big orange kitty) and think, wow, how amazing is that plume of fur he walks around with every day, and Gracie, my little gray kitty, had fur that was bunny soft. Would it ever, in a million years, occur to me to wear it? Perish the thought! And, I give the same respect to other living furry beings.
I can only hope that awareness will grow and people will look more and more for alternatives. I have to admit that I choose not to wear faux fur because, these days, it looks so real, and I don't want someone to think I am wearing the real thing. That's my choice. But, if you want the look you can have it without the bloodshed?
There are some amazing faux look-alikes. Just check out www.fabulousfurs.com. Donna Salyers, President and founder of Fabulous-Furs, explains how it all began . . ."Inspiration for Fabulous-Furs came nearly two decades ago when I was on my way to purchase a mink coat. On my car radio, Paul Harvey described kittens being skinned to become "mink" teddy bears. Instead of buying a coat that day, I was inspired to create a luxurious alternative. Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine that Fabulous-Furs would evolve into fine ready-to-wear, attracting a clientele of high-profile, internationally recognized celebrities. As a real-life Cinderella, it's fabulous to see our guilt-free products in movies, on TV and Broadway. It's gratifying to know that our products, in providing a luxurious alternative to real animal fur, bring joy to people all over the world, and at the same time, make unnecessary the destruction of countless animals."
Or, here's a pretty faux fur jacket from Nordstrom:
I really thought that fur was becoming more "unfashionable" to wear until I saw the article in Vogue, and my heart sank. The fact is that it is not prestigious, elegant or in any way necessary to wear fur. We can live without it so why not let the animals keep it as it was meant to be.
About the Author
If you would like to use this article in your newsletter or blog, please feel free to do so as long as you include the following attribution and live website link: Written by Ginger Burr of Total Image Consultants, http://www.totalimageconsultants.com. ©Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
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