PETA Becomes Part-Owner of Restoration Hardware in Push to End Down Sales

Group Plans to Ruffle Company's Feathers by Exposing Cruelty to Birds

For Immediate Release:
March 20, 2013

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Corte Madera, Calif. -- PETA has purchased stock in Corte Madera, Calif.–based home furnishings company Restoration Hardware in an effort to pressure the company to end its sale of cruelly obtained down feathers used in sofas and bedding. The action means that PETA will be able to attend annual meetings to ask questions and submit shareholder resolutions, and it plans to do both.

"Down causes birds to experience excruciating pain and severe trauma when their feathers are torn from their bodies," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "By becoming stockholders, we'll be able to take our case to end the abuse of birds directly to the people who own Restoration Hardware—namely, other shareholders."

In order to obtain down, birds are often forcefully held down by workers who rip out their feathers. Afterward, the birds lie on the floor, bleeding and paralyzed with fear. Many are seriously injured, and some die from shock or infected wounds. They are often plucked so hard that their skin rips open, leaving gaping wounds, which are crudely stitched back together without the benefit of painkillers. Alicia Silverstone narrates PETA's compelling undercover video exposé of down production.

PETA encourages shoppers to check labels for synthetic down, down alternative, polyester fill, or high-tech fabrics such as PrimaLoft® and Thinsulate™—soft, washable, down-like fibers.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.