Ricky Gervais Backs Campaign to End Fur Farming!

The fur industry is nothing short of cruel. Each year an estimated one billion animals are bred, raised, and killed on fur farms around the world for their pelts. Minks, rabbits, foxes, and in some countries even cats and dogs, are confined to small cages and forced to live in unacceptable and unsanitary conditions until the moment they are, most often cruelly, killed. Many animals are either killed by way of electrocution or even by being skinned alive.

Recently, Animal Defenders International (ADI) released video footage that combats fur farmers claims that killing is quick and painless.

In the video, a fox on a Polish fur farm is dragged from the mesh cage by his tail, hung upside down and forced to bite onto an electric probe. The fox is electrocuted and tossed onto a cart. But then, the fox begins to awaken and tries to make a run for it. The farmer recaptures the fox, where the animal tries with all his might to avoid the probe a second time around. His courageous efforts fail and he is eventually electrocuted.

The heartbreaking footage is upsetting many, including comic, producer, and animal advocate, Ricky Gervais. “Fashion is a form of escapism for many but for the animals, imprisoned and denied their most basic needs, death is the only escape. It doesn’t have to be this way – save lives by going fur-free and supporting ADI,” Gervais said about the new undercover footage.

And this certainly isn’t the first time Gervais has openly opposed the fur industry. With over four million Facebook fans and 12 million Twitter followers, Gervais will often use his social platform for good, once saying “Please don’t buy real fur. It often means an animal was kept in a cage it’s entire life just so some silly tart can show off.”

Hopefully, as even more awareness spreads and more prominent figures, like Ricky Gervais, stand up in opposition to the barbaric fur industry, people will realize that the lives of living, breathing animals are truly not equivalent to the feeling of looking fancy in a fur coat.

There is no true humane way to care for or kill thousands of animals at a time (or to kill animals at all, really). Although they may claim to care for the animals in their care, fur farms are mere businesses that view their animals as commodities. Animal welfare, more often than not, takes a backseat as fur farms – like any business – will always attempt to maximize their profits while cutting costs and labor. When dealing with animals, this often means worse conditions and incredibly cruel treatment – regardless of the industry.

Ultimately, we have to ask ourselves if we really need to wear fur; unlike the animals who are brutally slaughtered to produce our fur hats, coats, and shawls, we do not need fur. Please always choose fur-free clothing when shopping. Check out all of these awesome companies that have chosen to commit to going fur-free in their designs.

For more information on ADI, visit their website. And please share this article with friends and family. We must always continue to speak up for the voiceless.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons