Is using animals for their fur moral or immoral?

[Holly3278]

Hey everyone. I recently learned that in China, it is a common practice to kill cats and dogs for their fur. I am thoroughly disgusted by this myself. But anyway, is it moral or immoral? Here are the relevant passages of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Respect for the integrity of creation

2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity.195 Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man’s dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation.196

2416 *Animals *are God’s creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory.197 Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.

2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image.198 Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.

2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.

195 Cf. Gen 128-31.
196 Cf. CA 37-38.
197 Cf. Mt 6:26; Dan 3:79-81.
198 Cf. Gen 2:19-20; 9:1-4.

First, in paragraph 2416, we see that mankind owes animals kindness. Then, in paragraph 2417, we see that it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. Finally, in paragraph 2418, we see that it is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. Therefore, I think it would be correct to say that it is only okay to kill an animal for its fur if it the fur is needed for clothing! However, that simply is not the case in the vast majority of the world. It is well known that fur is primarily a luxury item. We have plenty of clothing available and the vast majority of this clothing comes from plants such as cotton and synthetic materials. Therefore, can the fur trade even be justified? Personally, I am not sure. I don’t think it can in the vast majority of cases. It might be justified for someone living in a very cold climate where it is next to impossible to import other clothing and the only plentiful resource is animals that could be killed for clothing.

However, if animals are to be killed for their fur, I think it would be prudent to also use the rest of the animal for food. Unfortunately, I think that most fur companies do not do this. Most of the time the animals are simply skinned, sometimes alive (which is extremely cruel), and then their fur is prepared and sold. The meat simply goes to waste. To me, that is wrong. If an animal must be killed for its clothing then its meat should be put to use as well, if only to feed those who are very poor.

What do you think about all of this? Can the fur trade be justified?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

21 And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins, and clothed them.

Genesis 3:21

 

[OrdinaryMelkite]

Genesis 3:21

Good Show.
Ultimately, nothing is bad in this world. God gave us certain things for our use.

Yeah, I know I will be slammed for this by some here—but that’s how I feel.

 

[dailey]

Very interesting. I wonder if wearing fur still “counts” since we now have other options for clothing?

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Good Show.
Ultimately, nothing is bad in this world. God gave us certain things for our use.

Yeah, I know I will be slammed for this by some here—but that’s how I feel.

I’m not one of the slammers. The wearing of fur is utterly legitimate.

 

[Holly3278]

Very interesting. I wonder if wearing fur still “counts” since we now have other options for clothing?

I don’t think it does unless one has no other available option at the time.

I’m not one of the slammers. The wearing of fur is utterly legitimate.

Yes, wearing fur can be legitimate like if there is no other option but otherwise I’d say its not legitimate. I mean, why brutally kill an animal for their fur when there are plenty of other options available that provide just as adequate a source of clothing?

 

[jilly4ski]

I don’t think it does unless one has no other available option at the time.

Yes, wearing fur can be legitimate like if there is no other option but otherwise I’d say its not legitimate. I mean, why brutally kill an animal for their fur when there are plenty of other options available that provide just as adequate a source of clothing?

I think we need to make some caveates on animals for clothing. Obviously, if we need clothing, it would be fine like you said. Also if we need the animal for other purposes, it would not be wrong (and may even be a good) to use the animals hide and/or fur for clothing.

 

[aicirt]

I find nothing immoral about using animal fur as long as that fur is used for warmth. Mink etc. is light and warm. Tiger skins etc. are not and the animals are endangered.

Any animal should be killed quickly and with little pain as possible including those used for food. Killing a deer, taking the rack and leaving the body is immoral. The carcass should be used for food and given to someone who will benefit. A hunter must track an animal he has injured and put it out of its misery.

 

[OrdinaryMelkite]

I find nothing immoral about using animal fur as long as that fur is used for warmth. Mink etc. is light and warm. Tiger skins etc. are not and the animals are endangered.

Any animal should be killed quickly and with little pain as possible including those used for food. Killing a deer, taking the rack and leaving the body is immoral. The carcass should be used for food and given to someone who will benefit. A hunter must track an animal he has injured and put it out of its misery.

 

[Holly3278]

I find nothing immoral about using animal fur as long as that fur is used for warmth. Mink etc. is light and warm. Tiger skins etc. are not and the animals are endangered.

Any animal should be killed quickly and with little pain as possible including those used for food. Killing a deer, taking the rack and leaving the body is immoral. The carcass should be used for food and given to someone who will benefit. A hunter must track an animal he has injured and put it out of its misery.

I agree with you! Unfortunately, from what I know of most fur industries, they are very cruel and often don’t even kill the animal before skinning it. In other words, it is skinned alive. Could you even imagine how much pain and suffering this must cause the animal? It is also known that sometimes animals have a hose put down their throat and then they are drowned to death before skinning them. That is also a very cruel practice. Seriously, if the animal is going to be killed for its fur it could at least be killed quickly and humanely. That said, there are other materials that can be used for warm clothing besides fur so fur is not always necessary.

 

[aicirt]

I agree with you! Unfortunately, from what I know of most fur industries, they are very cruel and often don’t even kill the animal before skinning it. In other words, it is skinned alive. Could you even imagine how much pain and suffering this must cause the animal? It is also known that sometimes animals have a hose put down their throat and then they are drowned to death before skinning them. That is also a very cruel practice. Seriously, if the animal is going to be killed for its fur it could at least be killed quickly and humanely. That said, there are other materials that can be used for warm clothing besides fur so fur is not always necessary.

Obviously, the idea when killing the animal is not to damage the fur. I agree with you that there must be other ways than skinning a live animal. That is cruel. I believe beef are hit with an electric charge to kill them.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Fur can be beautiful. If I were a lady, I would love to have a mink coat! However, I will say that not only is it inexcusable to cause unnecessary pain to an animal but also that it is terrible to kill animals whom have usually been regarded as pets in some way (cats, dogs, horses), whether for food or their skins (Who, in their right mind, would want to eat a cat or dog anyway? Ugh!). It is like murdering your best friend because you like his hair. I honestly think that the world is full of bloodthirsty sadists (whether in a biology laboratory, at a factory-family, on a school playground, or down at the county jail).

 

[aicirt]

I would say that not only is it inexcusable to cause unnecessary pain to an animal but also that it is terrible to kill animals whom have usually been regarded as pets in some way (cats, dogs, horses), whether for food or their skins (Who, in their right mind, would want to eat a cat or dog anyway? Ugh!). It is like murdering your best friend because you like his hair.

Certain animals are eaten in some cultures and not in others. Horse, supposedly, is eaten in France. Well, better for it to serve a purpose than to discard the meat if the animal must be killed anyway.

I know of no culture that wears cat or dog. Horse? American Indians a hundred years ago.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Certain animals are eaten in some cultures and not in others. Horse, supposedly, is eaten in France. **Well, better for it to serve a purpose than to discard the meat if the animal must be killed anyway. **I know of no culture that wears cat or dog. Horse? American Indians a hundred years ago.

The human consumption of felines and canines seems to take place rather often in East Asia (particularily in Indochina). As for horses, why do they have be killed in the first place? Cannot dogs (and people) eat beef or chicken instead? I also never understand why so many people love shellfish. Crabs and lobsters are not exactly aesthetically pleasing, not to mention that it is almost unbelievably cruel to boil any creature alive.

 

[vsedriver]

Very interesting. I wonder if wearing fur still “counts” since we now have other options for clothing?

I have a difficulty keeping warm in winter. I’ve tried all kinds of modern coats but confess that the one natural fur coat that I have is the warmest and most comfortable coat to wear. It’s not a fancy fur but a coyote. I didn’t know it was real fur when I bought it. I got it at an auction and thought it was fake fur.

I also read that they did tests in the arctic and found that the Inuit people’s natural fur coats were warmer than the most advanced modern fabrics.

 

[Shredderbeam]

I think that intentionally causing pain to a creature that has conscious experience is morally wrong.

 

[runwaymodel]

I adore animals and used to be a PETA supporter until their ads kept getting tackier and tasteless. The going naked instead of wearing fur. I’d take the fur in an instant! I won’t even get started one that one…:nope:
Besides, we would be quite the hypocrites because of our leather shoes, belts, wallets and purses. People seem to forget about that one.

 

[vsedriver]

The human consumption of felines and canines seems to take place rather often in East Asia (particularily in Indochina). As for horses, why do they have be killed in the first place? Cannot dogs (and people) eat beef or chicken instead? I also never understand why so many people love shellfish. Crabs and lobsters are not exactly aesthetically pleasing, not to mention that it is almost unbelievably cruel to boil any creature alive.

horses are a good source of lean meat. It is also a way to use excess horses. Not all horses are usable and they need to be disposed of. Horse meat is especially good for dogs and cats. It is the preferred meat for large zoo cats too.

The ban on horse slaughter in the USA has increased the suffering of horses a great deal. All because people who don’t understand the horse industry are making the laws.

 

[Rence]

I agree with you! Unfortunately, from what I know of most fur industries, they are very cruel and often don’t even kill the animal before skinning it. In other words, it is skinned alive. Could you even imagine how much pain and suffering this must cause the animal? It is also known that sometimes animals have a hose put down their throat and then they are drowned to death before skinning them. That is also a very cruel practice. Seriously, if the animal is going to be killed for its fur it could at least be killed quickly and humanely. That said, there are other materials that can be used for warm clothing besides fur so fur is not always necessary.

It’s disgusting, immoral and very true unfortunately. Those people who treat animals as described above are among the worst scum of the earth. And no one can convince me that they are truly evil people. Most of the fur coming out of China is done this way unfortunately and one of our instructors showed a video of this in class.

If an animal is dispatched quickly, and as painlessly as possible, and it’s dignity and respect for that animal is preserved, there is nothing wrong with wearing fur. However, I would agree that it would be immoral to kill an endangered animal for it’s hide. That’s not a good enough reason to kill that animal.

 

[Rence]

horses are a good source of lean meat. It is also a way to use excess horses. Not all horses are usable and they need to be disposed of. Horse meat is especially good for dogs and cats. It is the preferred meat for large zoo cats too.

The ban on horse slaughter in the USA has increased the suffering of horses a great deal. All because people who don’t understand the horse industry are making the laws.

I find that most people that make laws or rules are in their ivory towers and away from the people in the trenches managing everything, and basically, the ones with the most knowledge and experience. The ban on horse slaughter is one of the reasons why you can take a horse to the sale, not sell it for the cost of a bag of grain, and when you return to your trailer there are one or more horses in your trailer waiting for you…