Gump’s San Francisco Pulls Snakeskin Products After Hearing From PETA

Cruelty to Snakes Prompts Retailer to Shed Skins

For Immediate Release:
February 17, 2016

Contact:
Anne Brainard or Lakisha Ridley 202-483-7382

After hearing from PETA about the extreme suffering of snakes and other reptiles raised and killed for “luxury” products, retail giant Gump’s San Francisco agreed to remove snakeskin products from its shelves, becoming entirely free of snakeskin—as well as alligator and crocodile skin. The decision comes after PETA informed Gump’s about investigations that have shown that live snakes are nailed to trees by their heads before their skin is torn off their writhing bodies.

“As customers increasingly turn away from the cruelty of the exotic-skins industry, Gump’s ethical decision also makes sound business sense,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “With such a vast array of stylish cruelty-free shoes, purses, belts, and wallets available, PETA is encouraging all companies to wash their hands of the bloody business of slaughtering animals for their skins now.”

Gump’s joins top retailers—including Ann Inc., H&M, Topshop, Adolfo Domínguez, Mango, bebe, Cole Haan, Nike, Adidas, and more—in steering clear of exotic skins, and for good reason. As documented by PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to wear”—in Africa, Asia, and the U.S., reptiles are hunted or raised in barbaric conditions and are often sawed open while they’re still alive. Hunters snare wild lizards and cut them apart with a machete, sever their heads, and then skin them, usually while they are conscious and can still feel pain. Their mutilated bodies are then discarded, but because of these animals’ slow metabolism, it can take hours for them to die.

Gump’s understands that with so many stylish and cruelty-free alternatives available, like “fake snake” and “mock croc,” there’s no justification for supporting this cruelty.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.