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I do not consider myself to be an "animal rights activist" in the strict sense of the word. I love animals, but most of these activists rub me the wrong way and go way too far in many cases.

However, when it comes to wearing fur, I tend to lean toward their side of thinking. While I would never dump a can of red paint to symbolize blood on someone wearing a mink coat, I agree that in this day fur isn't necessary.

Throughout history humans have hunted animals for fur as well as meat. It was out of necessity, as they didn't have many ways of staying warm as we take for granted today. Even more recently, as in the early to mid-1900s, people needed fur and relied on it on cold winter days and nights out.

But it was also high fashion. Nothing spelled luxury and success more than an elegant mink, fox, or ermine coat, or fur-lined boots, or a dead weasel draped around a society lady's neck. I remember seeing those as a child and thought they were real neat, like having a pet you can take with you everywhere you go. I don't think I realized they had once been real, live animals, and for them, there was nothing fun about it.

These days we no longer have a genuine need for fur. We have central heating in our homes, we ride around in heated vehicles, work in heated offices and stores. At least, most of us do. Real fur is no longer fashionable, either. As people became aware of animal suffering and found alternatives, it fell out of favor quickly. You'd be hard pressed to find a real fur garment in most modern department stores. Oh yes, they're still around if you look hard enough, but usually only in specialty shops or VERY upscale urban stores. A few decades ago, they were everywhere; at least everywhere that the "upper crust" shopped.

Think about it, really. Why wear fur today? It's not popular anymore- on the contrary, you're liable to make some enemies if you attempt to wear it out in public for long. And with the wide assortment of wonderful, beautiful, and realistic imitation fur you can still 'have it all' without being politically incorrect, as much as I hate that term.

And unlike the real thing, imitation fur is very much in style. It can be made to look like just about any real fur, and often even feels real as well. Plus, it's every bit as warm! Don't confuse "imitation" with "cheap". There are imitation (or faux) furs to compliment any budget. Some are low-priced, others rival the cost of the real thing. Imagine wearing a luxurious coat that looks and feels like it came from an exotic snow leopard. These animals are endangered and illegal to hunt, but your coat rivals that of the cat's. And no animals had to die to make it.

That's another plus about it- you can get realistic imitation furs that look like they came from exotic endangered species; furs that you could never legally have, were they the real article.

No, I see no reason to kill animals for fur in today's world. As a by-product of other industries, such as meat however, I don't have a real problem with it. But animals like mink or fox or what have you, that are only killed for their fur and nothing else; I find it unappealing and troublesome. We have great alternatives. Let's use them!

Learn more about this author, Laureen Manera.
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