Alicia Silverstone Urges Everyone to Go Down-Free in This Undercover Exposé

Actor and founder of The Kind Life Alicia Silverstone is no stranger to helping animals in any way that she can. From her vegan diet to her PETA public service announcement, Alicia is always going above and beyond for animals who are being harmed in any way. Now, she is exposing the cruelty in an industry that has received little attention: down.

Many birds used for down have their feathers yanked out of their skin, sometimes several times a year, while they are still alive. The terrified birds are pinned down while hurried workers rip fistfuls of feathers from their sensitive bodies, often plucking them so violently that they actually tear open the birds’ skin and then sew up the wounds using needle and thread with no painkillers.

In addition to damaging birds, buying down supports the cruelty of the foie gras industry, in which birds have tubes rammed down their throats and food pumped into their stomachs in order to increase the size of their livers. Foie gras producers boost their profits by selling the feathers from these force-fed birds. No matter where it comes from, down is a product of cruelty to birds.

Watch this exclusive interview, in which Alicia shares why she wanted to spread the word about cruelty toward birds used for their feathers. In addition, she discusses her favorite down-free products and talks about her book, The Kind Mama.

Geese and ducks are violently plucked until they’re bloody in order to make down-filled comforters and jackets. You can help! Join Alicia in buying only down-free products for everyone on your holiday shopping list.