by Perry McCarney

Created on: September 24, 2007   Last Updated: October 25, 2008

Humans are omnivorous, it is natural for us to consume both animals and plants. We have become the most successful and feared predator on the planet, because we have minds and the amazing power to imagine. Our imagination has enabled us to create ways to modify our environment for our benefit. This includes the ability to domesticate and farm some animals to enable greater production of desired goods.

Our imagination also allows us to create and contemplate philosophies, for some this might lead to the decision that they do not want to use animal products. I totally support and defend their right to so choose. Others, however, do wish to utilize the animals that occupy this world with us, and this is a perfectly natural choice that should not be denied.

Worldwide we consume millions, if not billions, of animals annually, the majority raised on farms, but a relatively small percentage hunted. As we are killing them for their meat anyway, it would actually be morally reprehensible to NOT use as much of their bodies as possible, including skins for leather and furs from those that have them. Where animals are being farmed for their furs alone, the practice should either be ceased or uses found for their meat, such as food for zoo carnivores and scavengers or pet food.

What is not morally acceptable is to house such animals in appalling conditions and treat them with cruelty or even disrespect. Their life's end may be to satisfy our needs, wants and desires, but in return we should offer them a life as pleasant and suitable to them as possible.

Where man has introduced species that are damaging native ecosystems, hunting may be one of the best ways of controlling that species. For example, brush-tail possums were introduced to New Zealand in the 1800s specifically to provide a fur-bearing animal for hunting/trapping; there being no native ones. There are now an estimated 70 million causing significant damage to native forests and endangered endemic bird species. Encouraging the hunting of possums for sale to the fur trade may reduce the amount of 1080 poison that is aerially dropped to try to keep the numbers down and therefore the damage they cause under control.

What is not morally acceptable is to hunt endangered species to provide furs purely for the vanity and arrogance of the rich. To deprive future generations of these wondrous animals for such petty, superficial reasons would be appalling.

So, the answer is simple, wearing fur is not immoral in general terms, but wearing the furs of animals that are endangered or raised in cruel conditions is!

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