“1/05/2010, 12:29pm EST”
The cruelty of modern wool
In light of our recent tumblring on the ethics of Uggs, here’s a good summary of what’s wrong with modern wool production (h/t David Benzaquen).
Like all animals capitalistically exploited on a large-scale, these sheep are routinely disregarded so that their human (slave) owners can make a higher profit; their health is generally considered only insofar as necessary for a plumper bottom line.
And once a sheep’s wool is no longer considered valuable enough — usually after just a few years — he or she is likely to be shipped off by extremely crowded, hungry boat to an unregulated slaughterhouse in a country where there is even less institutional and cultural concern for the welfare of other animals.
So: not only are Uggs made using sheepskin and leather — i.e., they directly require and support the slaughter of sheep — but the sheep whose wool is used to line the things will inevitably be chopped to bits as well. It’s possible he or she will even be alive when this happens. Along the way, all these animals will be treated with extreme cruelty and disdain.
Whether or not you think Uggs are attractive, they are certainly an irresponsible product to support. Hopefully some more people understand that now.
Never leave home without it.
