ACTION #1: FOR AMERICANS
To identify your federal legislators and find their contact info, try:

• www.Congress.org
• www.house.gov
• www.senate.gov
• Congressional Switchboard: 202-224-3121

The Honorable Representative
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Representative,

I am a constituent who cares deeply about animal protection legislation. As a registered voter in your district, I ask for your support and cosponsorship of H.R. 891, the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act.

H.R. 891 bans the sale of apparel crafted from raccoon dogs, native canines of China slaughtered for their fur. The bill expands current classification of dog to embody raccoon dogs and stipulates accurate labeling for apparel with any quantity of fur, regardless of monetary worth.

American consumers have a right to know what they are buying. Present law specifies fur goods display species, manufacturer and country of origin. But the Federal Trade Commission allows retailers to bypass labeling laws for furs valued under $150. This loophole lets dog-cat furs creep into the U.S.

In early 2007, Humane Society of the United States unveiled hidden dog-cat hides in "fake fur" products from China, the world leader in finished fur garments that exports over half of all furs sold in the U.S. "We went to warehouses with stacks and stacks of pelts from golden retrievers and other dogs. Millions of dogs and cats are killed for their fur, with that fur finding its way into fur trim sold in Western markets," says Wayne Pacelle of HSUS.

As part of its investigation, HSUS bought fur trim from 17 retailers, including Neiman Marcus and JC Penney, that tested positive for domesticated dog. Merchants sell unmarked, dyed and misleadingly labeled boots, coats, linings, toys and homeopathic remedies to unsuspecting consumers.

Most Americans, particularly those who buy faux goods, would be shocked to know their purchase supports Asia’s dog-cat fur trade. Chinese fur markets bludgeon, hang, electrocute and strangle fur-bearing animals, including millions of cats and dogs. Cats are choked in their cages alongside live cats. Dogs are hung from wire nooses and slashed across the groin.

In 2005, Swiss Animals Protection East-International documented fur farms in China’s Hebei Province. They videotaped workers carving skin from alert dogs, foxes, and other animals. Some fully skinned animals continued to breathe and blink sluggishly as their hearts pulsated another 5- 10 minutes.

During transport, up to 8,000 caged dogs and cats are stacked into a single truck without food or water. At an animal market in Southern China, investigators saw 20 cats smashed inside one wire cage and dead cats draped over cages. Dogs and cats flattened inside filing-drawer size cages were tossed from truck beds on to hard pavement. Animals screamed as their paws were crushed. Some still wore collars and ID tags, indicating they were stolen companions.

Please protect our right to make informed purchases. I strongly urge you to support and cosponsor H.R. 891, the Dog and Cat Fur Enforcement Act.

Thank you,

YOUR FULL NAME
ADDRESS, CITY, STATE
COUNTRY


ACTION #2: FOR EUROPEANS
Online Protest For A Loophole-Free Prohibition Of Dog And Cat Fur

• Help stem the trade in dog and cat furs in the EU and thereby end the brutal slaughtering of domestic animals in Asia. With just a click of you mouse, you can call upon European countries to introduce an import prohibition without exceptions. Say NO to a loophole in the EU regulation!


• Send online letter for an European Union ban without loopholes: www.secureconnect.at/4pfoten.org/protest/0704/index.php