Fox pups cannibalizing each other, animals crammed into cages alongside rotting corpses, and foxes with missing legs and ears—these are just a few of the horrors uncovered during an investigation of 83 Finnish fur farms by Finnish animal rights organization Oikeutta Eläimille (Justice For Animals). Shockingly, most of the farms were certified for humane treatment of animals. If humane treatment is defined as gaping wounds, missing body parts, and rampant untreated infections, what must the uncertified farms be like?

Among the "certified" farms that were investigated was one belonging to the chair of Finnish Fur Sales, a huge auction company that consistently hypes fur farming as humane. Farms belonging to the chair and vice chair of the Finnish Fur Breeders' Association were also videotaped. Even the Finnish prime minister is connected to the fur industry, and her farm was filmed as well. On all the farms belonging to these high-ranking furriers, Oikeutta Eläimille documented the same intense suffering and lack of veterinary care as on the other certified farms.

Fur from Finland is exported all around the world. So the next time that someone tries to tell you that "ranched fur" is humane, show them this video.  

Written by Michelle Sherrow

Sheep may safely graze, but foxes are out of luck at an abysmal fur farm in Joliet, Illinois, that's run by, of all people, a Catholic priest. PETA recently filed a complaint with law-enforcement authorities regarding the fox fur farm, which is operated by the Rev. Richard Ross of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Joliet. While the agencies promptly launched an investigation, they were unable to take action against Ross because the conditions on this farm, while appalling, are not illegal.

The foxes are confined to cramped, rusty wire cages—with little protection from heat, rain, and snow—until the day they are slaughtered and skinned. Cages may contain up to seven foxes apiece, and one fox was caught on video spinning in circles—a classic symptom of "zoochosis," or captivity-induced madness. As PETA researcher Dan Paden pointed out in a letter to Ross, even if such conditions do not violate Illinois law, they surely violate the church's instructions to have "a religious respect for the integrity of creation."

What kind of Christian—let alone a man of the cloth—would treat God's creatures this way? The kind of man who would say (after his brother—who is also a priest—was accused of molesting a young boy), "I don't have much sympathy for people who somehow couldn't stop whatever happened. I'll take all of these people who were abused, and I'll abuse them with a baseball bat."

After seeing how the Rev. Ross treats foxes, we believe him.

Please politely send your comments to:Rev. Richard Ross(815) 726-4474 St. Bernard Catholic Church1313 Ridgewood Ave Joliet, IL 60432-2698

Written by Alisa Mullins