Animal cruelty in the Fashion Industry

**Trigger Warning, Graphic Content**

Animal cruelty has been a part of the fashion industry throughout time. Sustainable alternatives denounce the need for materials consisting of animal skins and hides. It is time to make a change in preserving species instead of using them as fashion pieces. 

Fur 

Fox, minks, and other animals are lucrative for the use of fur-related material, and they are often born and raised on fur farms to attend to this market. Fur farms consist of small cages, unsanitary conditions, and neglect the animals' ability to move freely. The damages to the animals are tenfold since they suffer from physical ailments and mental effects. The quality of life at the fur farms is extremely negative: all of the animals that reside in these farms are destined to die there. 

The animals at fur farms are often killed through electrocution or neck-breaking to preserve their fur in tip-top condition. In order to cut additional costs, the fur farms refrain from using any form of anesthetic in their practices. 

The animals are raised and executed for fur coats or related accessories that provide no viable need in the modern world. However, these harmful practices and the killing of innocent animals can halt with the adoption of faux-fur alternatives that can still accommodate fur-based trends.  

PETA.org

Leather 

Similarly, the fashion industry has deemed leather-based products in vogue with trending pieces such as leather boots, leather pants, leather jackets, and leather belts. The demand for leather in the fashion world facilitates the exploitation and utilization of animals to obtain authentic leather. 

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) reported that animals involved in the leather industry were skinned alive, had their tails cut off, and were eventually slaughtered. Most leather manufactures reside in the Global South, where legislation to protect the animals from their torture is lacking. Wearing leather accessories to be on-trend is not justifiable for these animal killings, as there are other alternatives such as vegan leather. 

@Karremann PETA.org

@Karenmann PETA.org

It's time to become aware of the detrimental impacts of buying and wearing products made from animals. Instead of animal-based clothing, start wearing faux-fur and vegan leather to fit the fashion trends of today. Switching to vegan materials ensures you look good while advocating for animal rights. 

Sandra Ocampo