From noon today a wide-ranging coalition of animal protection groups in New Zealand will hold a press conference to launch a campaign to ban the importation of cat and dog fur into New Zealand. High-profile fashion designer Denise Lâ Estrange Corbet will also attend to lend her support to the campaign.
International research has found that millions of cats and dogs in Asia are raised in atrocious conditions and brutally slaughtered for their fur. Undercover footage shows animals being skinned alive for their fur from which garments, toys and fur accessories are manufactured.
“The vast majority of fur from cats and dogs comes from countries where animal welfare standards are virtually non existent,” says spokesman for the coalition, SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek. “New Zealand must close its doors to cat and dog fur and take a clear, principled stance against a trade that violates our own animal welfare legislation.
At present New Zealand has no laws or restrictions that prevent cat or dog fur from being imported into New Zealand. Green Party MP Sue Kedgley is launching a private members bill at the press conference which will seek to amend the Customs and Excise Act 1996 and make it illegal to import cat and dog fur into New Zealand.
This will bring New Zealand into line with the rest of the OECD (including the United States of America, the European Union and Australia, which have already banned these imports) and ensure that New Zealand does not become a dumping ground for this illegal trade as dealers are forced out of other countries,†says Ms Kedgley.
While there are no official data about the quantity of cat and dog fur entering New Zealand Ms Kedgley says there has been a 44 per cent increase in the amount of fur imports from Asia over the past nine years.
“New Zealanders love their cats and dogs and would be appalled at the cruelty inflicted on these animals. Banning cat and dog fur would prevent consumers from unwittingly buying items made out of companion animals, and widespread community support for this initiative is expected,†says Mr Kriek.
CAMPAIGN LAUNCH FROM NOON TODAY
SPCA Education Centre Auditorium, Auckland Animal Village, 50 Westney Road, Mangere South, Auckland
Guest speakers: Hans Kriek (SAFE), Robyn Kippenberger (RNZSPCA), Sue Kedgley (Green MP), Bridget Vercoe (WSPA), and Denise L’Estrange Corbet (World).
Information and footage of the cat and dog fur trade will be available at the launch, as well as a photo opportunity with the speakers and animals at the SPCA shelter.
For more information contact Hans Kriek on 027 446 2711.
The campaign to ban the importation of cat and dog fur into New Zealand is supported by the following groups:
RNZSPCA
SAFE
World Society for the Protection of Animals
New Zealand Companion Animal Council
Cat’s Protection League
C is for Cats Charitable Trust
Cats in Need Trust
Cat Rescue Christchurch Charitable Trust
Albany Animal Doctors
CyberPets Ltd