What Gift Did PETA Send the Royal Baby?
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrate the birth of their first child, PETA hopes to provide the newborn with a warm and cosy welcome: a wool-free cardigan made of cotton and bamboo from Bramble Crafts:
A wool-free cardigan is as soft and warm for a baby as it is kind to sheep. We hope this gift for Meghan and Harry’s little one will inspire parents around the world to dress their own tots in compassionate, animal-friendly style.
Wool Production Is Cruel
Since 2014, PETA has released 11 exposés of 99 wool facilities on four continents, including in the UK, and systemic abuse was encountered in every one. On farms across England and Scotland, shearers were found punching sheep in the face, stamping and standing on their heads and necks, and beating them with electric clippers. One farmer was recorded dragging two ailing sheep into a shed, where he left them to suffer and die.
It’s Terrible for the Planet
The wool industry also wreaks havoc on the environment: manure generated by farmed animals has significantly contributed to the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases, large-scale grazing has led to vegetation change and soil erosion, and faecal matter and sheep “dip” (a toxic chemical used to rid sheep of parasites) pollute local waterways. Find out more about the environmental damage caused by wool production here.
There Are Alternatives
Fortunately, many animal- and Earth-friendly vegan alternatives to wool are available today – from hemp and coconut fibres treated with enzymes extracted from the oyster mushroom to organic cotton, bamboo, and even banana bark. To find brands that sell fashion-forward wool alternatives, take a look at our list of companies using the “PETA-Approved Vegan” logo.
What You Can Do for Sheep
When animals are viewed as a collection of body parts and their fear and pain are ignored, we must raise our voices and use our consumer clout to help stop the abuse.
Ask boohoo to stand by its compassionate initial decision to become the first global fashion brand to ban wool: