In response to raised concerns from an animal rights group, two theater companies in the southwestern region of Ontario have decided to donate old fur clothing items from their costume collections to be utilized in aiding animal rehabilitation efforts.
Recently, the Palace Theatre in London announced intentions for a quick fur merchandise sale. Initially, the organization viewed the fur sale as an opportunity to repurpose the outdated garments that were no longer needed for their theatrical productions.
The notice mentioned, “These fur items mainly originate from estates where the descendants are unsure about what to do with their mother’s fur coat. Selling a vintage coat, aged between 35 and 70 years, was deemed a suitable method to promote reduction, reuse, and recycling.”
This notice was forwarded to Jenny McQueen, a co-founder of Animal Rights Toronto, a coalition of organizations. McQueen is against the sale of fur, including its resale and reuse.
The utilization of fur remains a contentious topic in Canada. While some individuals see a resurgence in vintage fur and consider its use significant for Indigenous communities, McQueen and others advocate for a complete cessation of fur usage.
In 2019, Queen Elizabeth declared she would cease purchasing fur, and several fashion labels, such as Gucci, Prada, and Armani, have committed to abandoning fur usage.
But why oppose the utilization of vintage fur?
McQueen argues that it could normalize fur usage and increase its popularity, a situation she believes would be detrimental to animal rights.
Instead of repurposing old fur, McQueen, under her group’s #ZipOffTheCruelty initiative, encourages individuals to donate fur items to her organization. These items, including coats, hats, and trim pieces, are then passed on to animal rehabilitation centers for bedding purposes.
In her appeal for The Palace’s fur to be donated rather than sold, McQueen shared an Instagram video with the theater organization, showcasing a fur hat donated by her group being utilized as a bed for baby squirrels who had lost their mother. These infant squirrels, hairless and about the size of an adult’s thumb, were under the care of an Ontario rehabilitation facility after falling from a nest.
“The hat had been inverted, and the squirrels were snuggling into the genuine animal fur,” McQueen recounted. “It provides them warmth, and when they have lost their mothers, it offers them an added level of comfort.”
McQueen has also contributed fox coats to Procyon Wildlife, a licensed small-animal rehabilitation center in Beeton, Ontario. An image on her Instagram showcases a fox resting on a fox fur coat donated by McQueen.
Sarah Bruce from Procyon mentioned that although fur has a limited lifespan as bedding due to the inability to wash it, it proves effective for orphaned baby animals.
“They enjoy the fur because it resembles their mother, allowing them to snuggle right in,” she explained.
McQueen has also forwarded donated furs to Coats For Cubs, an organization based in the United States that employs fur items for animal rehabilitation bedding.
Deb Chantler, a member of the Palace Theatre’s board of directors, acknowledged that McQueen’s letter presented a compelling argument for donating the furs instead of selling them.
“Their concerns regarding animal rights and welfare resonated with us,” Chantler stated.
Stratford Festival contributes fur coats
In January, the Stratford Festival theater donated multiple fur coats from its