Besides claiming to be humane and highly-regulated, the fur industry also claims to be environmentally-friendly and sustainable – but nothing could be further from the truth.
 
Environmental issues with fur abound. Large amounts of hazardous chemicals and energy are used to process hides. Environmental damage and pollution of waterways results from the manure of thousands of animals crammed together on farms. Many fur farmers and fur processors have been fined for releasing toxic waste into the environment.
 
Once fur is removed from an animal, it must be treated with toxic chemicals to keep the skin from rotting. The high levels of chemicals used for this, and the overall processing of fur, pose serious health risks. Common chemicals found in most fur trims, such as formaldehyde and ethoxylates, cause allergies, cancer, and hormonal imbalances. Studies in Europe on fur trim on kids’ clothing have detected significant harmful amounts of toxic substances in brands such as D&G, Woolrich and Nickelson.
 
Relying on labels to distinguish real fur from fake fur can also be problematic, as undercover investigations have discovered. Illegal mislabeling and deception involve real fur being labeled as fake and the wrong species listed for real fur.