Fur is a natural, renewable
resource. The fur trade is carefully regulated by government wildlife
departments and no endangered species are used.
Like farmers, trappers use only a small
part of what nature provides in their territories each year. If
we protect our environmental "capital" (forests, lakes), we will enjoy
the "interest" nature provides for hundreds of years to come.
If we don't use natural, renewable,bio-degradable
products (like fur), we will use something else (synthetics?) which
often use up non-renewable resources and cause pollution in
their production and disposal.
The "carrying capacity" (food, shelter,
etc.) of each territory is limited: most wild animals never reach
maturity - e.g. 80 per cent of muskrats may die before the end of
their first year. So why not use part of what nature provides? We
too are part of nature.
In regions where we live in close contact
with wildlife, some form of management is often required (i.e. even
if we don't use fur): to protect farms, roads, and waterfront
property from flooding caused by beavers; to prevent the spread of
disease; for predator control; etc.
Regulated trapping helps to keep wildlife
populations stable, healthy, and in balance with available habitat:
starvation and disease are natural, but hardly humane alternatives.
Environment Canada and the International
Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) have invested over $10 million to improve
trapping methods: there are new regulations and trappers now take
special courses before receiving their permits.
When we buy fur, we support people who
have a direct interest in maintaining wildlife: the fur trade provides
income for thousands of aboriginal and other Canadians living in rural
or remote regions where other employment opportunities are rare.
Beaver, muskrat, and other fur animals
also provide food for many aboriginal people: fur is often
one of the few local resources available for exchange with the outside
society.
Trees take 20 years to mature in Canada,
but fur animals are renewed each year or two. As a renewable resource,
fur makes more environmental sense than the paper on which these notes
are printed! The responsible use of renewable, wildlife resources
is endorsed by all major environmental agencies, including the World
Wildlife Fund (WWF), the United Nations Environment Program
(UNEP), and the World Conservation Strategy. Even Greenpeace
canceled a brief anti-fur campaign (in 1984), after complaints from
aboriginal groups.
- a message for consumers from the Fur Council
of Canada.
The
hot summer months will dry out, age and harden the leather of your valuable
fur, as well as expose the hair to destructive insects. Our safe, insured
cold storage vaults are temperature and humidity controlled to protect
and revitalize your fur's supple qualities. 
"A
stitch in time saves nine". Periodic small repairs will add years
of beautiful new looking life to your valuable fur. Removing the worn
edges from the cuffs and collar, or replacing the fur on the elbows
can make a tired fur look and feel brand new again.