Date
March 24, 2006
Contact
Bill Dyer
(310) 301-7730, (917) 309-8973
Kristie Phelps
(757) 423-0093
In Defense of Animals IDA is an international, California-based animal advocacy organization dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by defending their rights, welfare and habitats.
131 Camino Alto
Mill Valley
CA 94941
Group to Protest Puppies and Kittens Being Skinned Alive in China at Global Pet Expo
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San Diego, Calif.—In response to recent video evidence revealing puppies being skinned alive (seen nationwide on the CNN’s Larry King Live), In Defense of Animals (IDA) is calling on pet stores and animal guardians to boycott pet products made in China.
The Chinese pet product manufacturing industry has been growing every year, and Americans are outraged that the Chinese Government is turning a blind eye to the brutal killing of dogs and cats while Chinese manufacturers are profiting off dog and cat products sold in the U.S. Members of IDA will gather outside of the largest pet product wholesale tradeshow in the U.S., The Global Pet Product Expo, to expose attendees to the cruel trade in dog and cat fur taking place in China and urge merchants not to trade in Chinese pet products until the country creates and enforces meaningful animal welfare regulations.
When: Saturday, March 25, 2006, 12:00 -2:00 p.m.
Where: San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Dr.
An undercover investigation of the Chinese fur industry revealed dogs and cats packed into wire cages, stacked by the thousands onto trucks and being transported to be killed for their pelts. More footage shows the strangulation and electrocution of dogs and cats. Investigators witnessed and have documented the animals being skinned alive and thrown onto a pile of other “processed” animals. Some continued to live for up to 10 minutes after being skinned.
Americans love their companion animals so are understandably horrified and outraged when they hear that cats and dogs are being skinned alive in China so that their fur can be made into clothes, fashion accessories and even dog and cat toys. The Chinese pet products industry is very profitable: it is larger than their toy and candy industries combined, and it brings much more money to the booming Chinese economy than cat and dog fur sales. As part of its campaign against the Chinese cat and dog fur industry, IDA is urging animal lovers to boycott any products sold in pet stores labeled “Made in China” and asking pet store owners across the country to refuse to stock these items in the first place.
“It’s time that consumers are made aware of the cruel trade in Chinese dog and cat fur so they will not unwittingly buy while dogs, cats and other animals die,” said IDA spokesperson, Bill Dyer.
Broadcast quality video will be available on site. For more information on IDA’s anti-fur campaign, please visit: www.FurKills.org.