Following concerns raised by an animal rights group, two theater companies in the southwest region of Ontario have decided to contribute old fur clothing items from their costume collections to support animal rehabilitation efforts.
Recently, the Palace Theatre in London unveiled plans for a sudden fur merchandise sale. Initially, the theater viewed the fur liquidation as a method to repurpose old garments that were no longer needed for their stage performances.
The notice stated, “These furs mainly originate from estates where family members are uncertain about what to do with their mother’s fur coat. Selling a vintage coat [ranging from 35 to 70 years old] was deemed a beneficial approach to minimize waste and promote sustainability.”
Upon receiving the notice, Jenny McQueen, co-founder of Animal Rights Toronto, a coalition of animal welfare organizations, expressed opposition to the fur sale, reuse, and resale.
The utilization of fur remains a contentious topic in Canada. While some observers note a resurgence in vintage fur popularity and emphasize its significance for Indigenous communities, McQueen and others advocate for a permanent ban on fur use.
In 2019, Queen Elizabeth declared she would cease purchasing fur, and several prominent fashion brands like Gucci, Prada, and Armani have committed to discontinuing fur products.
So, why the resistance to vintage fur? McQueen argues that endorsing its use could normalize and revive its popularity, thereby hindering animal welfare progress.
Instead of repurposing old fur, McQueen, through her organization’s #ZipOffTheCruelty campaign, encourages individuals to donate fur items to them. These garments, including coats, hats, and trim pieces, are then passed on to animal rehabilitation facilities for bedding purposes.
When advocating for the donation of The Palace’s fur rather than its sale, McQueen shared an Instagram video with the theater depicting a fur hat donated by her group being used as a bed for orphaned baby squirrels. These newborn squirrels, hairless and tiny, were receiving care at a rehabilitation center in Ontario after falling from a nest.
McQueen recounted, “The hat had been inverted, and the squirrels were nestled in the genuine animal fur. It provides warmth and offers a high level of comfort to these motherless squirrels.”
Moreover, McQueen has donated fox fur coats to Procyon Wildlife, a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center in Beeton, Ontario. An image on her Instagram account displays a fox resting on a fox fur coat donated by McQueen.
Sarah Bruce from Procyon mentioned that while fur has a limited lifespan as bedding due to washing constraints, it proves beneficial for orphaned baby animals.
“The animals find comfort in the fur as it mimics their mother’s presence, allowing them to snuggle,” she explained.
McQueen has also directed donated furs to Coats For Cubs, an organization based in the United States that repurposes fur items for animal bedding.
Deb Chantler, a member of the Palace Theatre board of directors, acknowledged the reasoning behind McQueen’s plea to donate the furs rather than sell them.
Chantler stated, “We understood their concerns regarding animal rights and welfare.”
Stratford Festival Contributes Fur Coats
In January, the Stratford Festival theater contributed multiple fur coats from its wardrobe collection to Animal Rights Toronto. These