China is the number one pelt producing country in the world with an estimated 17 million animals killed annually. This equates to approximately 30% of worldwide production from a country were animals can be legally skinned alive for their fur. In China, a country with no animal welfare laws, dogs and cats, along with wild animal species not suited for domestication, are raised in shocking conditions only to be slaughtered for their fur.

Undercover video investigations have shown Chinese fur farm workers skinning animals alive without concern for their pain, leaving them to a slow and agonizing death. Although the sale of dog and cat fur is illegal in the U.S. as a result of the Dog & Cat Protection Act of 2000, they are not protected in Europe and other countries. Therefore, dogs and cats are still suffering and dying horribly in China to supply Europe with such products as blankets made from golden retrievers, garments and products with the fur taken from German shepherds and coats made of cat fur.

The positive news is that draft regulation is now being considered by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers for adoption by the co-decision procedure. If passed, the European ban on dog and cat fur would ban the production, sale, importation and exporting of dog and cat fur. This is a positive step but has not yet been approved. If and when it is, it will be a few years still before the ban is adopted and then enforced. In the meantime, we must continue to reach out to the mainstream population to urge them act on behalf of the animals and never buy or wear any fur ever again.

IDA is one of the many organizations around the world fighting to stop this ongoing atrocity, and proudly joins the International Anti-Fur Coalition in the annual global day of action against the Chinese fur industry taking place on Tuesday, February 13th. IDA is coordinating demonstrations at Chinese Consulates in Los Angeles and San Francisco and is looking for people in Houston and Chicago to organize protests there. Events by other International Anti-Fur Coalition members will be held at the Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Consulate in New York. International participation from Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Ireland, Israel, Estonia, France, Turkey, Thailand and Belgium has already been confirmed.

What You Can Do

1) Please stand up for the cats, dogs and other animals suffering on Chinese fur farms by attending one of IDA's protests on Tuesday, February 13th.

What: Chicago protest against the Chinese fur industry
When: Tuesday, February 13th starting at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Chinese Consulate General, 100 West Erie Street, Chicago
Contact: Giselle DeMaria (773) 341-6708 or Melissa Gonzalez (415) 388-9641, ext. 228 or Melissa@idausa.org.

What: Houston protest against the Chinese fur industry
When: Tuesday, February 13th, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Chinese Consulate General, 3417 Montrose Blvd.
Notes: Materials will be provided.
Contact: Kristen Lee Ohanyan at Kristen@societyofpeace.org or Melissa Gonzalez (415) 388-9641, ext. 228 or Melissa@idausa.org.

What: Los Angeles protest against the Chinese fur industry
When: Tuesday, February 13th starting at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Consulate General of the Peoples Republic of China, 443 Shatto Place, Los Angeles
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What: San Francisco protest against the Chinese fur industry
When: Tuesday, February 13th, starting at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco, 1450 Laguna Street (at the corner of Geary & Laguna)
map

2) Whether you can attend a protest or not, please write or call the Chinese Embassy or Consulate nearest you and urge them to promote the creation of meaningful animal welfare laws in their country. Let them know you will boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics if emergency action is not taken immediately to stop the institutionalized torture of innocent animals for fur. Remember to be polite and respectful in your communications: the intention is not to harass diplomatic staff but to educate them about the monstrosities being committed in their country and ignored by their government.

Chinese Embassies and Consulates in the U.S.

Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C.
2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 338-6688 or (202)5889760
Fax: (202) 588-9760

Chinese Consulate General in New York, N.Y.
520 12th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 244-9392
Fax: (212) 465-1708

Chinese Consulate General in Chicago, Ill.
100 West Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Tel: (312) 803-0095
Fax: (312) 803-0110

Chinese Consulate General in Houston, Texas
3417 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006
Tel: (713) 520-1462
Fax: (713) 521-3064

Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, Calif.
443 Shatto Place
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Tel: (213) 807-8088
Fax: (213) 807-8091

Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, Calif.
1450 Laguna Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Tel: (415) 674-2900
Fax: (415) 563-0494