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Original poster

Illegal fur coat - what to do with it? Ethical dilema

25 replies

lowrib · 04/10/2009 22:13

I have inherited a very old but valuable fur coat from my gran. It's made fur from an endangered big cat.

As far as I can make out the law is that it's illegal to sell it, but I can give it away. What should I do with it?

I'm not really keen on the idea of fur for a start (I'm a vegetarian ffs!) but the fact that this is an endangered species mean I wouldn't want to give it to anyone who actually wanted it IYSWIM. I mean who wants to walk around with an endangered species on their backs?

On the other hand it seems a bit of an insult to my gran, and to the animal come to think of it, to just bin it.

What can I do with it? Can charitires make use of it somehow? Perhaps a theatre troup might like it as a costume? What about a clothes museum?

What would you do?

TIA

OP posts:

Littlefish · 04/10/2009 22:17

Contact the Victoria and Albert Museum. Depending on the age etc. they might be interested.

ravenAK · 04/10/2009 22:17

What age are your dc?

I suspect lots of schools would make good use of it - I teach in secondary & can readily imagine 2 colleagues (science & drama) fighting over it!

Or freecycle, clearly explaining the provenance?

tearinghairout · 04/10/2009 22:17

Can't advise what you should do with it, but I would say don't feel guilty about getting rid of it - your Gran bought it and enjoyed it for herself, she wasn't thinking 'This is for my grandchildren'. It's something that came out of one of the 'How Clean is your House' progs - when you inherit stuff, just keep what you like, don't feel obliged to keep it all.

Personally, I'd give it to a charity shop & forget about it.

edam · 04/10/2009 22:21

V&A sounds like a jolly good idea.

I had some hideous fur stole pressed on my by my (lovely) Grandmother when my great-aunt died. Had to accept the stole in order to avoid being forced to take one of the coats (mink, IIRC). As a teenage vegetarian, I was horrified! Can't remember what I did with it, possibly a ceremonial burial.

malfoy · 04/10/2009 22:23

I think you should give it away to a charity who sends clothes to Eastern Europe.

Our synagogue actually requested old fur coats to send to the Ukraine.

I will try and find the details.

I suspect regular charity shops may not take it.

VicarInaBooTu · 04/10/2009 22:28

i would never ever buy a new fur but equally to bin it wouldnt be right at all - its there - the animal died for it and id have to put it to good use, years ago things were so different!

depending on the animal i think asking a museum is a brilliant idea, or sending it to a charity that needs real fur for people in very cold climates.

what fur is it? im intrigued!

malfoy · 04/10/2009 22:29

Who can I give my fur coat to?
Q: I want to dispose of a fur coat, but you cannot sell them on e-bay (they are a banned article) or give them to a charity shop (they will not accept them). Do you know if it is possible to sell it and, if so, where? I still have the receipt. Otherwise, is there a charity accepting them for onward transport for people perhaps in Russia or Eastern Europe who really need them?

A: Our research shows that you may give old furs to the MS charity shop in Liverpool; call 0151 734 4828 and they may give you a number of a branch in your area. Also the Red Cross takes them in sometimes to help keep people warm in areas where there?s been a natural disaster, Shelter sometimes do likewise. With regard to selling say, a mink jacket or furs in good condition, try Walker, Barnett and Hill; they are in Chester and a very reputable firm. The furs are generally sold at auction. Your contact is Miss Toldi on 01902 375555.

Original poster

lowrib · 04/10/2009 22:55

Wow thanks for the advice everyone! Lots to think about.

VicarInaBooTu it's Ocelot.

I like the idea of a charity sending it on to people in cold climates.

Also I did think of the V&A but wasn't sure if they'd be interested. But I guess it doesn't hurt to ask does it.

It really can't be sold - even by a charity shop.

OP posts:

Original poster

lowrib · 04/10/2009 22:57

ravenAK great idea but my DS is 9 months so a little early for plays!

It would be interesting to see what people came back with on Freecycle.

OP posts:

BEAUTlFUL · 04/10/2009 23:22

What does the coat look like?

Am I wrong to think that buying secondhand fur is OK? I can understand that buying new fur supports the industry (and is therefore no-go as obviously we want it to end), but vintage - why not?

LissyGlitter · 04/10/2009 23:32

My MIL runs a theatre wardrobe dept and they won't take fur donations, sorry!

BEAUTlFUL · 04/10/2009 23:35

I'll happily take the coat! Really. I'd give a donation to the WWF in payment.

Original poster

lowrib · 05/10/2009 08:31

BEAUTlFUL

"Am I wrong to think that buying secondhand fur is OK?" An interesting question, and an ethical minefield! Here's my take on it.

There is a big difference between wearing second hand fur and wearing an endangered species.

It can be argued if you buy second-hand fur, as the animals were killed so long ago, it's not really supporting the fur industry. Now you can pick holes in this argument, but it's one I understand. Although personally I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing fur in any form. I am a (perhaps hypocritical!) vegetarian who wears leather, and I certainly feel a lot more comfortable with second hand so I can sympathise with this argument.

Where the animal is an endangered species however the point is that any trade in their fur could result in more current animals being killed, possibly contributing to the extinction of a species. The problem is you are already dealing with a valuable item. Once you make it illegal you are creating a black market. If it's legal to wear second hand, then you are creating a loop hole which unscrupulous people will try to exploit - and if there's money in it, someone will. If it's legal to trade ocelot of a certain age, then people will trade newer stuff pretending it's old. Also if the vintage ocelot becomes fashionable, that drives up the desirability of new, also making it more likey that unscrupulious people will trade in new furs.

If there is a blanket ban that's easily understood, and will ultimately provide more protection for an endangered species. If you weigh up people's desire to wear a pretty coat against the survival of a species it;s a no brainer really.

So sorry, but I can't give you the coat! I'm only interested in giving it to an organisation who can put it to some kind of good use. Its days as a fashion item are over I'm afraid!

OP posts:

Original poster

lowrib · 05/10/2009 08:34

Perhaps the WWF might know what to do with it though.

LissyGlitter do you think that's just your MILs theatre which takes that stance, or is it likely to be a commonly heald view?

OP posts:

LaurieFairyCake · 05/10/2009 08:35

There are loads of fur coats and stoles on ebay in the Vintage section. So you could sell it.

My gran left me a rabbit fur coat and I have turned it into a cushion - I did actually wear it one year in Italy on a skiing holiday

Original poster

lowrib · 05/10/2009 08:42

LaurieFairyCake but it's illegal to sell ocelot.

I could receive a fine and even prison if I sell it!

OP posts:

LaurieFairyCake · 05/10/2009 08:50

one here on ebay I think

how about the Rothschild museum at Tring - its an outpost of the Natural History museum and they have lots of really horrible stuffed endangered species - it might make a good point if it was there.

Original poster

lowrib · 05/10/2009 08:50

This is an ocelot.

OP posts:

LaurieFairyCake · 05/10/2009 08:53

There's even a jacket on ebay with a real leopard collar

bet thats illegal too

Original poster

lowrib · 05/10/2009 08:57

Ooh good idea LaurieFairyCake. I'll have a look at that.

I expect the ebay dealer doesn't know they're selling an illegal item. Or perhaps they just don't care.

I originally tried to sell the coat to a vintage clothes shop, that's how I found out it's illegal. I left it with the shop so that the owner could see it and give me a price. But instead of a price I got a phone call saying could you please remove this illegal item from my shop asap!

OP posts:

Original poster

lowrib · 05/10/2009 09:22

That's how I found out what an ocelot is too. I'd never heard of them before

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wantalka · 27/01/2011 17:18

))))and in Ukraine they will sell it after renewing for a great price!FORGET IT!Ukraine is a country where your coat will not go to poor people!NO WAY!

StuffingGoldBrass · 27/01/2011 17:25

There is a scheme here which uses fur coats to make bedding for injured wildlife. I know they are in the US but they might be able to guide you to a similar UK-based scheme.

newonforum · 09/05/2017 11:13

I know this is an old post but thought I'd add some info in case someone needs it... these groups accept real fur items and disassemble them into fur pieces for orphaned or injured wildlife. Contact them for their local rep or donation location:

AUSTRALIA: Snuggle Coats at www.snugglecoats.org/how-to-donate
USA: Cuddle Coats at cuddlecoats.com/how-it-works.html
UK & USA: PETA at www.peta.org.uk/action/donate-fur-peta/

(PETA uses furs in education campaigns, or to donate for animals in need, or to people in need. I couldn't find any other record of a group recycling furs in the uk - so either they haven't got the word out, or there's an opportunity there for someone to start a group ! :) )

mangiacats · 17/11/2019 05:27

A little late by many years ... however, we were looking for answers whether we needed a licence to sell furs and stumbled across this post. DO NOT give your furs to charity shops. They do not put them on display for customers to buy. Some destroy them but others sell them on to antique dealers who make a lot of money. Best bet (too late for this post) is to sell it privately and put the money to your children's bank account.

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