Nov. 27 marked Fur Free Friday, an international event that began over two decades go to speak out against the cruelty of the fur industry.

Though department stores have heavily promoted fur collars and trim that consumers mistakenly believe is faux or made from scraps of leftover fur, in reality, animals suffer and die for each such item, whether fur-trimmed or full-length … and the “faux” labeling is not always man-made material. Undercover invvestigations have revealed that much of the so-called “faux” fur is actually derived from dogs, cats and other animals.

Animals used by the fur industry suffer horrible deaths. Caught in traps, animals often suffer for days before trappers return to break their necks or bludgeon them to death. Animals raised on fur farms are killed by cruel methods such as gassing, neck breaking and anal electrocution in order to preseve their pelts.

It’s time to realize that compassion should trump vanity. No animal deserves to die for fashion. With all of the warm, luxurious alternatives to animal fur, there simply is no excuse to perpetuate this cruel industry by buying or wearing furs.

In the true spirit of giving and compassion this holiday season, please consider crossing all animal furs off your list for good.

Patricia Richards, Canton