West Hollywood Goes Fur-Free!
West Hollywood’s City Council is sending a strong message to pelt peddlers: Go faux or get out. In a monumental step for animals, the Council approved a ban on the sale of new apparel fur jackets, vests, stoles, and boots in stores within the city limits.
The City Council heard from people in the fur industry who opposed the ban, but it was also bombarded with calls, letters, and e-mails from PETA supporters, both local and outside the city, urging it to pass the measure. Ellen DeGeneres showed her support for the ban by tweeting, “I just heard West Hollywood has banned the sale of fur. Good for them!” And Stella McCartney penned a letter to the Council saying, “The ban on the sale of fur in West Hollywood is a true example of the kinds of efforts we need to make to influence people that will hopefully lead to positive change.”
A PETA member who lives in West Hollywood spoke at Monday night’s Council meeting, explaining that all fur is cruel, no matter how the fur industry‘s PR people try to spin it. She said, “Numerous undercover investigations from China, the U.S., and just about everywhere in between have revealed that foxes, minks, coyotes, and rabbits—and even dogs and cats—are bludgeoned, electrocuted, and often skinned alive for their pelts.”
PETA has named WeHo the Most Compassionate U.S. City of 2011 for its progress in seeking to become “the humane capital of the United States.” Banning fur sales is just the latest compassionate action for the city, which has already halted pet stores from selling dogs and cats, banned declawing, and officially recognized people with companion animals as “guardians” rather than “owners.” We hope that many other cities follow in WeHo’s inspiring footsteps.
You can make your home a no-fur zone by signing PETA’s Pledge to Be Fur-Free today.
Written by Michelle Sherrow
