Animal Lovers & Buyers Beware

    Have you seen it? The December 13 episode of Dateline on NBC - the final segment titled "Toy Story" was about a popular new doll, naturally posed animals such as cats and dogs with fur or fur-like materials. They are incredibly life-like. These figurines are mainly made in China and according to Dateline and the Humane Society of the U.S., about 20 to 50 percent of those sold in the U.S. are made from real cats and dogs! They are usually not labelled or falsely labelled as rabbit. The name of the manufacturer was not released, but suffice it to say if you love animals or have any moral feelings about such domestic pets I urge you not to purchase anything that may even possibly be from the natural coat of each animal.

    I don't have any right to tell you about choices in furs or other such issues. But barbaricly manufactured merchandise doesn't belong in the civilized world. I didn't even believe it at first, but the furs were tested and shown to be real cat and dog furs. While watching the Dateline segment, one of my cats curled up in the exact same pose as many of the dolls are posed in. It startled me to think that he could have easily been one of those dolls if circumstances were different.

    If you've received one of these as a gift from a friend, don't feel bad. You didn't know and I'm sure the giver did not know. If it is possible, try to see if it can be (tacitly) returned to the place of purchase or exchanged. U.S. Customs Service is aware of the problem and is investigating. I would also urge all the readers to write Congress to place injunctions, inport bans and boycotts against the importation of such items and require labelling on similar imports. There is a bill before Congress pending the return of session in the new year, so the timing is urgent. Thank you.

    I'm sorry to bring up such dark reports at one of the more joyful times of the year. After learning about it though, I feel that it is very important to share it with as many fellow animal lovers. These occasions give us pause to consider such issues. I know I will never look at my cozy kitties the same way again.

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