Animal Advocates Target Pelt Pushers on the Busiest Shopping Day of the Year

For Immediate Release:
November 25, 2009

Contact:
Marta Holmberg 757-622-7382

Norfolk, Va. -- Standing in front of a giant present that features a sign reading, "Wrap Yourself Up in Compassion: Go Fur-Free," costumed PETA members will hand out candy canes and stickers at MacArthur Center in Norfolk on Friday. The activists will also hand out leaflets that graphically describe what happens to animals who are killed for their pelts. The action will be one of many held throughout the country to mark Fur-Free Friday--the day after Thanksgiving and one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

When:   Friday, November 27, 12 noon

Where:  MacArthur Center at St. Paul's Boulevard and Market Street, Norfolk

"Every fur coat came from animals who were tormented and painfully killed in the name of 'fashion,'" says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "With so many warm and stylish alternatives available, there's no excuse for wearing fur."
 
An undercover investigation of fur farms in China--now the world's leading fur exporter--revealed that workers smashed the heads of foxes and raccoon dogs against the ground and that the animals still panted and blinked their eyes as they were skinned alive. Millions of dogs and cats are also killed for fur in China.

Broadcast-quality footage of animals killed for fur is available. For more information, please click here.