Endangered Animals Essay

If killing animals to get their furs is not difficult enough, workers in the fur industry still have to go through many other complex processes in order to create a flawless coat that can be sold in the market. Back in 1949, a peak year of fur production, there were at least 642 manufacturers across Canada and some have even less than 10 employees. Fur work was dominated by Eastern European Jewish immigrants at the time and because the demand of fur was so high, the owners of those manufactures were try to recruit as many experienced workers (preferably male) as possible to make the most profit for themselves. Women at the time also involved in the fur industry by helping with preparation of the raw skin such as “greasers” “unhairers”, and

In 1970, the Mason Act in New York State was enacted. It effectively forbidden the sale of leopard, snow tiger, ocelot, margay, red wolf, polar bear and cougar skins. Endangered Species legislation, including the Endangered Species Act (1973), offered hope for many kind of animals which were once annihilate by the fur trade. The most important authoritative step that has been taken to regulate trade in endangered species is the CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora.) It became effective on July 1, 1975, to control trade in endangered, rare and protected species of wildlife and plants. In addition to the importance of legislation that limiting hunting of all animals, especially endangered species, there is also great concern for the pain and suffering caused by hunting and trapping animals. According the Animal and Their Legal Rights, “each year, approximately 20.3 million fur bearers are trapped in the United States for the fur trade…. There may be several million trappers operating in the United States and their impact on wildlife can be severe. Many species of furbearers and minks have become endangered or been totally annihilated from various states because of overtrapping, which continues to threaten such species as Bobcat, River Otter and Fisher.” (Animal and Their Legal Rights, AWI, 1990, p.157). Moreover, in effort to support animal right movement and reduce the number of people using real fur, fashion designers are now starting to use faux fur in their designs. Ms. McCartney, one of fashion’s most vocal animal rights activists, joined the recent faux-fur boom by presenting a full line of sumptuous faux-fur coats in her autumn and winter collection in Paris. She said “We finally found something that looks great and is consistent with our philosophy on luxury and cruelty free fashion.” (McCartney,