Hoo Boy…

I am so not popular with Damien this week… and probably won’t be with a lot of people after this.

There was a program on TV the other night, a current events thing that I didn’t see, about the trade in dog and cat fur. Seems it’s used for everything from coats to toys. It’s caused a huge outcry and there have been calls to ban the trade in this fur. A large part of the issue is that in the western world, dogs and cats are part of the family- they’re beloved pets- and what happens is that these same animals we adore and anthropomorphize everyday (like I do to my three furry masters- Greebo, Taxi and Grampa Scratchy) are kept in small cages and are not at all loved… then they’re slaughtered and skinned. Much like the highly unpopular fur trade does to minks, stoats, rabbits and foxes… to name but a few.

I have mentioned a couple of times that one day when my furry masters are gone to the big litter box in the sky- I would like to make something with their fur, like a cushion or a hat or something… I have always loved fur, and I see this as a way of keeping them with me when they’re gone.

So why am I unpopular?

Well… when we heard the DJ and several callers on the radio giving their opinions on the subject, I told Damien I thought maybe legalising the trade in this fur and controlling it, would help institutions like the SPCA make some money since they never have enough. I mean- they euthanise thousands of animals, and if they can use the fur to support their cause, why not do so? There is obviously a market for this stuff…

Of course, this raises the argument that you will always have illegal trade with people not licensed to do so also slaughtering the dogs and cats… and yes, I fully believe that the manner in which a lot of the animals bred for their fur are kept is cruel and should be controlled; and I SO do not agree with the trade in endangered species. But my argument is this- if you do not agree with what’s going on- then do something about it! Either control the trade and use the money for a worthy cause- or bloody well go and adopt some of the dogs or cats at your local SPCA to save them dying. And for Christmas’ sake people- have your pets sterilised!!!