Washington, D.C. — Last week, Born Free USA, a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, wrapped up its Fur for the Animals donation drive for coats, hats, and other accessories made from animal fur. The collected items were donated to orphaned wildlife at rescue and rehabilitation centers across the country to provide familiar comfort, warmth, and bedding to injured young wild animals in their care. The Fur for the Animals drive ran from the first day of spring (March 20, 2014) to June 30, 2014. [teaserbreak]
According to Adam Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA, “The response was incredible and I’m so pleased that Born Free USA could help individual animals in need while offering the public a symbolic way to declare that fur should only be worn by animals. Our fur drive offered a simple solution to the compassionate question Born Free USA often receives: ‘What can I do with this old fur?’ Personally, I was able to repurpose my grandmother’s old fur hats, and I know she’d be proud. The fur industry is a cruel cycle — from barbaric body gripping traps to designers, retailers, and ultimately the public, who believes fur is fashionable. We applaud consumers and retailers across the globe committed to going fur free and hope this trend continues.”
In three months, the Fur for the Animals drive collected more than 100 items. Born Free USA has now completed the initiative by sending them to four wildlife rehabilitation centers, which are using the fur in their wildlife rehabilitation programs and clinics to comfort and support the animals. For photos, click here.
The four centers receiving the items:
Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley is a 501(c)3 non-profit in San Jose, California with approximately 120 volunteers caring for more than 4,000 birds and mammals from more than 150 species annually, providing high quality care and rehabilitation of injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife. Through educational programs, they foster a positive coexistence between the public and wildlife, and encourage an interest in, and concern for, wildlife conservation issues.
The Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center was formed in 1909 by a group of citizens with a shared concern for both animal welfare and the public health. Since opening its doors in 1910, they have remained true to the mission of helping all animals in need, regardless of species or breed. At the Wildlife Center in Verona, Pennsylvania, they rehabilitate wild animals native to Pennsylvania who have been harmed or displaced by encounters with humans.
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation was founded in 1977, and since 2004, has been located at a 212-acre facility near Kendalia, Texas, providing a permanent home for a variety of mammals (e.g., wolves, bears, big cats, and primates) and non-indigenous birds and reptiles. Each year, more than 7,000 animals are brought to WRR, the majority of whom are rehabilitated and released or given permanent sanctuary.
Wildlife Rescue Center, located in Ballwin, Missouri, rehabilitates injured, sick, and orphaned native wildlife and releases healthy animals to their natural habitats. Through educational outreach, the Center provides environmental awareness, promotes a harmonious relationship with native wildlife, and encourages the community to protect our delicate ecosystems.
Born Free USA is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to North America the message of “compassionate conservation” — the vision of the United Kingdom-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son, Will Travers. Born Free USA’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media contact: Rodi Rosensweig, publicrelations@bornfreeusa.org, (203) 270-8929.