Leather vs. Fur: Which Is Worse?

Every year, 100 million minks, rabbits, foxes, dogs, cats, and other animals are killed for their fur. What you may not know is that cows, dogs, and other animals also suffer and die for the production of leather items—and their deaths are no less horrible, heartbreaking, or appalling than those of animals killed for their fur.

Abused  

Tortured  

Skinned  

Left to Die  

For the animals involved, leather production is just as violent, painful, and deadly as the fur trade. Buying leather also supports the meat industry. Wearing fur and leather means a living, feeling animal experienced a miserable life and often painful death, all just so a fur collar or leather shoe could be made. Luckily, more and more people all over the world, including countless celebrities, are taking a stand against this cruelty by wearing cruelty-free vegan fashions for which no animals had to suffer.

PETA Asia’s investigation of the Chinese dog-leather trade revealed that workers bludgeoned and slaughtered up to 200 dogs every day to be made into leather gloves, belts, and other accessories. These dogs were no different from the ones we share our homes with—and none of them wanted to die.

In India, where most of the leather in the United States comes from, cows are marched hundreds of miles in extreme heat to their deaths, and chili peppers and tobacco are rubbed into their eyes in order to keep them moving when they slow down or collapse from exhaustion. Once they’ve reached the slaughterhouse, their throats are slit and they’re skinned—sometimes while they’re still alive.

Luckily, it’s now easier than ever to go leather-free. Companies everywhere are offering cruelty-free options that are stylish and compassionate and won’t break the bank. Be sure to check out all the compassionate retailers that proudly display our PETA-Approved Vegan Logo and learn how to wear vegan!

Encourage your friends and family to make the kind choice by sharing this on Facebook and Twitter.