According to a statement on its website, athletic behemoth Adidas has sworn off the skins of exotic animals—including crocodiles, snakes, sharks, and fish—joining compassionate companies such as Nike and Cole Haan, H&M, Overstock.com, and Victoria's Secret that rock the mock croc. Adidas also refuses to use fur or wool from sheep who were mulesed in any of its shoes or clothing. 
 

Like many animals used for their skin, snakes are often skinned alive, sometimes after being nailed to a tree.

 
We applaud Adidas for making great strides for so many animals, and look forward to the day when all its footwear is faux.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aprilzosia/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Victoria's Secret is cleaning out the skeletons in its closet catalogue. Thanks to a new policy by parent company Limited Brands, Victoria's Secret and lingerie line La Senza will no longer sell exotic animal skins.

PETA's undercover video footage has detailed the cold-blooded suffering that's caused by the international exotic-skins trade, so it's no longer any secret that snakes, crocodiles, lizards, kangaroos, and other animals are cruelly killed for their skins.

All that pain for a python purse or a croc clutch? Get real! I'll stick with fashion accessories that have a killer look but don't kill. And you can too: Pledge to shed any exotic skins in your own closet today!

Written by Amy Skylark Elizabeth