Born Free USA Launches Fur Donation Drive to Help Wildlife Rehab Animals

In an effort to get fur out of people’s closets and back to wild animals, national animal advocacy nonprofit, Born Free USA, has launched a fur donation drive called “Fur for the Animals,” just in time for the spring cleaning season.

The goal of the drive is to “collect coats, hats, and other accessories made from animal fur and Donate them to wildlife rescue rehabilitation centers across the country,” a Born Free press release states. The facilities will then use the donated items to provide warmth, comfort and bedding for injured, young and sick wildlife.

“Fur for Animals” officially launched on the first day of spring, March 20, and will run until May 30, 2014. Once the drive ends in May, all fur donations will be shipped to four different wildlife rehabilitation centers including Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley in San Jose, Calif., The Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in Kendalia, Texas, and Wildlife Rescue Center in Ballwin, Mo.

Around the world, the fur industry kills more than 50 million animals each year all in the name of fashion. Animals are either trapped or harvested on fur farms. On these farms, foxes, mink, and other fashion victims are held in small, cramped cages for the entirety of their short lives. Once their harvest time comes, they are killed using any number of methods intended to keep the fur “intact,” such as by gassing, anal electrocution, and neck breaking. In some areas of the world, fur farmed animals may even be skinned alive.

Purchasing a fur garment is a direct contribution to cruelty since it is demand that fuels this abusive industry. Although it seems that fur is making a comeback on the fashion scene, Born Free USA’s donation drive offers consumers the opportunity to take the more compassionate and humane route.

“Our ‘Fur for the Animals’ drive offers a simple solution to the compassionate question Born Free USA often receives: ‘What can I do with this old fur?’ Consumers and retailers across the globe are going fur-free and we applaud each and every one of them!” said Adam Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA.

How to Donate Fur Garments and Accessories

Drop off furs in-person from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at one of the following Born Free USA office locations. You can ship any fur garments and accessories to either of the locations as well:

Born Free USA
2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 100B
Washington, DC 20007

Born Free USA
1220 H St, Suite 103
Sacramento, CA 95820

For more information on the drive, check out Born Free USA’s “Fur for Animals” fact sheet.

Image source: audreyjm529 / Flickr