Walberrys

Walberry’s – Vendors of
Real Fur

Walberrys Stop Selling Real Fur
(December 2006 update)

It would appear that Walberrys are no longer selling real fur products. There has been no official confirmation of this, however a fact-finding mission revealed that the owner is now claiming that she no longer stocks real fur products. Additionally there were no such products on display at the time of the visit.
It looks as though Walberrys has finally made an ethical choice not to support this vile trade but Bedford Animal Action will be keeping a close eye on developments.
If you have any information on Walberrys or any other shop that you suspect is selling real fur please get in touch.

Campaign Background

Walberry’s is a small shop in the Arcade in Bedford selling ladies’ shoes, boots, and accessories. In 2005 a supporter noticed that the shop was selling bags and boots trimmed with real fur.

Bedford Animal Action subsequently wrote to Walberry’s, explaining about the cruelty involved in the fur trade and enclosing some supporting literature. The letter also politely asked Walberry’s to reconsider its decision to sell real fur. No response to this letter was ever forthcoming.

Following this the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade issued an action alert asking campaigners to write to Walberry’s expressing their opposition to the use of real fur, however this too had no effect.

As the year’s winter season approached, and with it the possibility of new real fur stock, members from Bedford Animal Action visited the shop to ask the manageress if she would be selling fur again. The manageress was unwilling to confirm details of the shop’s winter stock, however she did invite a representative of the group to return and view the stock once this had arrived. In the meantime Bedford Animal Action began to hold demos and distribute leaflets in the town centre to raise public awareness. This received a very positive response from members of the public, most of whom were shocked to learn that real fur was on sale in the town.

The ongoing campaign against Walberry’s use of real fur was suspended once customers and other members of the public began to report that shop staff had told them that they would not be stocking real fur anymore. However this turned out to be a blatant lie as, when members of Bedford Animal Action later visited the shop to view the winter stock as previously agreed, real fur was quite openly on sale. The manageress confirmed that two styles of boots, trimmed with real rabbit fur, were being sold. These were displayed on the shelves ready for Bedford Animal Action members to view, and additionally the shop assistant was also wearing a pair. The manageress then asserted that she would continue to sell real fur as long as she liked and made it clear that she had no plans to reconsider this decision.

Fur – It’s Dead Simple

Millions of rabbits are “farmed” around the world each year for their meat and fur. Those destined for the meat trade are killed at just 8-10 weeks, and their fur is used for low quality products. Those bred specifically for their fur are usually killed at 6-7 months.

Rabbit, after its been skinned (Image courtesy of the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade)

Rabbit fur is often excused as a “by-product” of the meat trade, as if that could excuse the misery, suffering and death endured by these animals. Again, the animals are factory-farmed in bare wire cages. Exercise in the cage is completely restricted so that rabbits do not waste energy (and thus lose weight/meat).

Hylyne Rabbits, once the UK’s largest rabbit breeder, stated in its brochure: “Rabbits do not require heat or light. Do not leave the lights on for rabbits. All you do is run yourself up a big electricity bill.” It further reveals “Rabbits make money – that’s why we breed them.”

The natural life span of a rabbit is nine years. Does may be kept for two and a half years of constant pregnancy; infants destined for the meat trade last just nine week. During those two and a half years the doe will have been mated fourteen times and produced around 100 young.

Due to confinement in tiny cages rabbits often adopt a stunted, crawling gait. One visitor to a rabbit factory farm described “cage after cage of rabbits with no ears” and was told that the mother had chewed them off – cannibalism results from inadequate food, the stressful and boring conditions, or because the mother cannot provide enough milk for her young.

Rabbits are often transported long distances to specialist “packers” for slaughter. They are usually killed by having their necks broken or their throats slit.

Rabbit fur is made into “fun fur” coats, collars and gloves. It is also used for “novelty” items, hair products and even making pet toys. It is seen as being at the lower and cheaper end of the fur market.

(Information courtesy of CAFT – Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade)

How You Can Help

Should Walberry’s resume this vile trade please contact the shop and owners at the addresses below to let them know about the cruelty involved in the fur trade and your opposition at their decision to resume selling real fur. Explain that you will be boycotting the shop until they stop selling fur and will encourage others to do the same.

Remember it is illegal to farm animals for fur in the UK as it is considered too cruel, yet shops such as Walberry’s continue to make profits from fur imported from countries where fur farming remains legal.

Remember to keep all communications concise and polite.

Walberry’s Shop:

5a, The Arcade, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 1NS
Tel: 01234 269916

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