Boston-based Petite Mort Fur owner Pamela Paquin is turning roadkills into "accidental fur" items such as hats, leg warmers, neck muffs, purses and more. Paquin aims to change the fur fashion industry by giving alternative sources aside from fur farms and wild fur trapping.
According to Paquin, fur from roadkills are just wasted. If producers can find a way to utilize them, the industry wouldn't need to kill other animals just to get their fur.
Fur Information Council of America head Keith Kaplan said North American furs are environmentally and ethically responsible to begin with. Kaplan stressed that North America fur production is highly structured with strict guidelines, which are backed by years of study. Kaplan added that the fur-bearing animal species utilized by the fur industry are more abundant today compared to 100 years ago.
Various animal rights associations expressed mixed feelings about using roadkills for their furs. People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals Senior Vice President Lisa Lange commended Paquin's drive by saying it's "far better" to wear fur from roadkills than fur that came from farms.
Kara Holmquist from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the campaign is "in very poor taste," but declined to elaborate further. There are also raised concerns that Paquin's products would only extend the fur industry the groups spent years fighting.
"A business that promotes wearing real fur as fashionable and acceptable may well create more demand for fur from all sources, and could give all fur wearers a shield from legitimate criticism," said Citizens to End Animal Suffering and Exploitation's Virginia Fuller.
Petite Mort Fur's goal is to push the $35 billion fur industry towards the use of roadkill fur. The company stressed that the fur industry is currently using approximately 50 million caged animals every year. Petite Mort Fur aims to "resurrect" the 365 million wild roadkills whose fur are being thrown away.
"Petite Mort Fur clients can stay warm and fabulous knowing they've made a compassionate and informed choice," wrote the company on their website.
