For Immediate Release:
December 19, 2011
Contact:
Adam Miller 202-483-7382
Memphis -- Accompanied by a pair of sexy "bunnies" holding signs reading, "Be Sweet to Animals—Don't Wear Them," PETA members will distribute candy canes to shoppers in downtown Memphis on Tuesday to encourage them to bring comfort and joy to animals this holiday season by leaving fur, leather, wool, and exotic skins off their shopping lists.
When: Tuesday, December 20, 12 noon
Where: Southwest corner of S. Second Street and Madison Avenue, Memphis
"With all the luxurious, cruelty-free fabrics on the market today, there's never been a better time to make animal skins a thing of Christmas past," says PETA's Hayden Hamilton. "Simply by staying away from fur, leather, wool, and exotic skins, shoppers can give everyone—including animals—a reason to celebrate this holiday season."
Animals who are killed for their fur are electrocuted, poisoned, or gassed or have their necks broken. Cows destined to be killed for leather endure painful mutilations and physical abuse on factory farms and cruel treatment during transport and slaughter. Sheep used for wool production have huge chunks of skin and flesh cut from their backsides in a crude attempt to prevent maggot infestation. And exotic animals fare no better: Snakes, for example, have hoses rammed into their mouths and are pumped full of water so that workers can more easily cut off their tightened skin while the animals are still alive.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.