Two theatre companies in southwestern Ontario have decided to donate old fur garments from their wardrobe collections to aid in animal rehabilitation, in response to concerns raised by an animal rights organization.
The Palace Theatre in London recently announced a plan to hold a flash fur sale, intending to recycle unused fur garments from their stage productions. These vintage coats, ranging between 35 and 70 years old, were primarily sourced from estates where the owners no longer had use for them.
Jenny McQueen, co-founder of Animal Rights Toronto, raised objections to the fur sale, advocating against the use of fur in any form, including resale and reuse. While vintage fur has been gaining popularity and remains significant for some Indigenous groups, McQueen and others believe its use should be permanently discontinued.
In an effort to discourage the sale of vintage fur, McQueen’s group, through the #ZipOffTheCruelty campaign, encourages people to donate old fur garments for animal welfare. These donated items, such as coats, hats, and trim pieces, are passed on to animal rehabilitation centers to be used as bedding.
A video shared by McQueen showcasing a fur hat being used as bedding for orphaned baby squirrels at an Ontario rehabilitation center persuaded The Palace Theatre to cancel its planned fur sale. The heartwarming images of baby squirrels snuggled in fur hats highlighted the comfort and warmth provided by these recycled fur items.
Procyon Wildlife, a small-animal rehabilitation center in Beeton, Ont., received fox fur coats donated by McQueen. According to Sarah Bruce of Procyon, while fur bedding has a limited lifespan due to washing restrictions, it offers essential comfort to orphaned baby animals who find solace in its resemblance to their mothers.
While some organizations like Coats For Cubs in the U.S. repurpose donated fur items for animal bedding, not all wildlife rehabilitation centers see fur as the ideal material due to concerns about potential chemical treatments and cleaning limitations.
The Stratford Festival theatre also donated multiple fur coats to Animal Rights Toronto, acknowledging the challenges of preserving and storing real fur items. Despite differing opinions on the suitability of fur for animal bedding, the decision to donate old fur garments has gained support from various quarters, aligning with the growing advocacy for animal rights and welfare.