Say no to clothes made with Angora rabbit fur

WHILE the angora rabbit is not facing any threat of extinction due to a contagious cancer like the Tasmania Devil, it is enduring a suffering existence. Its fur is being ripped out by the fistfuls in angora rabbit farms in China. This grim reality is masked by the fashion industry's glamourous facade. I'm no animal activist or conservationist but I couldn't help learning more about these acts of cruelty shared with me by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta). Here's the story of the angora rabbit as I understand from the world's largest animal rights organisation.

Angora wool is considered a luxury fibre in the fashion industry. The wool is derived from the downy coat on the long-haired angora rabbit. Most breeds moult every four months as part of their natural growth cycle. The fur is especially useful in sweaters and scarves because of its silky texture, softness and halo or fluffiness. It is also warmer and lighter than wool but less elastic. You will often find wool blended with 30 per cent to 50 per cent Angora fibres in commercial knitting yarns. Importantly, angora is softer and yet far cheaper than cashmere, with angora jumpers and scarves retailing for less than US$50.

When the rabbits moult, the fur is harvested by plucking or shearing. Most of the farms pluck or pull out the moulted fur as this yields the best quality and higher prices. Some producers shear the rabbit to save time and prevent harm to the animal but the result is lower quality fleece. As with all industries, the focus is on keeping production costs and maximising profits. It is no different in the fashion industry where the rabbit is a commodity and cheap fibre is always in demand by brokers, designers and retailers.