Attitudes And Behaviors Relating To Fur
As follow up to a 2001 campaign sponsored by the Fund For Animals to discourage consumers from purchasing garments made with real animal fur, this study was conducted to assess the impact this campaign has had on consumer attitudes and behavior.
Overall, participant familiarity and exposure to animal fur issues are relatively low, although higher than previous studies have shown. The lack of exposure to the issue seems to relate to weaker conviction on the subject.
Age and ethnicity seemed to relate to likelihood of fur purchase and recent fur purchases. Younger women, African Americans, Hispanics and lower socio-economic classes were more pro-fur oriented.
The most widely cited reasons to refrain from fur purchases include reasons related to animal welfare.
Respondents were more likely to purchase fur-trimmed garments, as opposed to full fur garments.
Most indicated that they are unable to distinguish between real and fake fur upon sight.
The views between trapping and farming for fur were divergent, but more felt that farming was more humane than trapping.