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Keep your eyes open for fur when you're out shopping, or in mail order catalogues. If you find some real fur:

• Contact us with details of the shop and the fur they sell.
• Make a complaint to the shop / company manager.
• Contact the company, and tell them you won't buy from them again until they stop selling fur and you will encourage others to do the same.

A lot of fake fur that looks very real so check the label and ask the shop assistants. Real fur is often shaved or dyed so may not look real. If you are not sure ask the shop assistants or their head office. Fur may also be used on items other than clothes. It is used on novelty gifts such as ornamental animals, toys for pets, etc.

There are a few simple steps that consumers may take to distinguish between fake and real fur. (If in doubt contact us!)



How does the fur feel? Feel the difference by rolling the hairs between finger and thumb.
REAL: Feels smooth and soft, easily rolls between the finger.
FAKE: Feels coarse.

How does the fur look? Look at the structure of the fur, and blow on the hairs so they divide.
REAL: Often made up of several layers of thin, almost curly hairs which form a dense under-wool, through which the longer hairs stick out. The base is leather.
FAKE: Simpler in structure, individual hairs are often the same length and even in colour.

What is the base like? Pinch with a pin.
REAL: The leather resists, pin is hard to push through.
FAKE: Pin easily goes through the base.

What is the fur like when exposed to a flame? The burn test, pull (very carefully) a few hairs from the fur and hold them to a flame.
REAL: Singes like a human hair and smells similar.
FAKE: Melts like plastic and smells like burnt plastic. Forms small plastics balls at the ends that feel hard between finger and thumb.