Alesha Dixon and PETA Launch Petition to Help Save Bears
Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, together with PETA, has launched a government petition calling on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to replace the bearskins used for the Queen’s Guard’s caps with faux fur.
The petition must reach 100,000 signatures in order to trigger a Parliamentary debate on the issue. Please join us by adding your name to the petition now:
Others Join Alesha in Adding Their Names
Virginia Lewis-Jones, the daughter of the late Dame Vera Lynn – fondly known as the “Forces’ sweetheart” – and former soldier Andy Knott MBE, chief executive of animal welfare charity League Against Cruel Sports, have also signed the petition.
“As an animal lover, I am saddened to know that bears are still being gunned down for the Queen’s Guard’s caps. Some traditions aren’t worth saving, and the Ministry of Defence can easily make the switch to cruelty-free faux fur, which is the kind thing to do and what the British public demands. I hope to see this happen during my lifetime.”
– Dame Vera Lynn
A Faux-Fur Doppelganger Is Available
The petition follows the unveiling of the world’s first faux bear fur – created by PETA and luxury faux furrier ECOPEL – which looks and functions exactly like the bearskin used to make the Queen’s Guard’s caps.
“Most British people are against fur, so it makes no sense for this iconic symbol of the UK to be made with real fur still, especially when an indistinguishable faux fur exists. The MoD has the option to retain the aesthetic of the bearskin cap without the cruelty – it must take it.”
– Alesha Dixon
Taking the British Public for Fools
The MoD – one of the most sophisticated military operations in the world – would have you believe there’s no alternative to using the fur of slaughtered bears to make these ceremonial caps.
The faux bearskin matches the exact length of the real bear fur and is 100% waterproof, as confirmed by the MoD’s own accredited laboratory. Despite the material meeting all of the specifications given to PETA by the MoD, the ministry is falsely claiming otherwise.
The MoD is simply making excuses and has consistently denied faux-fur experts the opportunity to meet and work with capmakers on developing a humane version.
The MoD Is Wasting Your Money
A Freedom of Information request revealed that in the past seven years alone, the MoD spent more than £1 million of taxpayers’ money on 891 bearskin caps – which are ornamental and serve no military purpose.
ECOPEL has offered to provide the MoD with faux bear fur free of charge until 2030, meaning the switch would also save the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Help Us Get to 100,000 Signatures
In order to save taxpayers’ money and stop bears from being unnecessarily slaughtered, we need Prime Minister Boris Johnson to intervene. Please help us get this issue heard in Parliament by signing the petition now:
