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Demand Urban Outfitters Apologize for Selling Real Fur
  1. Signatures
    878 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. Chief Executive Officer, Urban Outfitters, Inc. (+ 3 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Chief Executive Officer, Urban Outfitters, Inc. (Glen Senk)
      • Chairman of the Board, Urban Outfitters, Inc. (Richard Hayne)
      • Senior Women's Buyer, Urban Outfitters (Kevin Tilton)
      • Global President, Urban Outfitters Brand (Stephen Murray)
  2. Created By
    Annie Hartnett
    MA
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
How We Won

Feb 10, 2011

In 2009, Urban Outfitters made an agreement with PETA to stop selling fur in their stores. But in January 2011, Joshua Katcher, head of the anti-fur PINNACLE campaign, discovered that the store was selling a cardigan trimmed with real fur. More than 850 Change.org community members called on Urban Outfitters to uphold their commitment to stop supporting the cruel fur industry.

At first, the company responded that they were confident the cardigan trim was faux. But they pulled it from their website and investigated further. As soon as they confirmed it was real, they quickly emailed an apology to Change.org, saying that they take their agreement to stop selling fur seriously and are taking steps to ensure that this mistake doesn't happen again.

Why This Is Important

In 2009, Urban Outfitters made an agreement with PETA to stop selling fur in their stores. Urban Outfitters is now listed as one of the Fur-Free Retailers, Designers, and Brands on the Humane Society of the United States website. This has directed many compassionate shoppers towards UO stores. 

But Urban Outfitters isn't quite holding up their end of the bargain. UO is currently selling what it calls an "S Loves C by Spring & Clifton Faux Fur Cardigan." The sweater appears to be actually trimmed with real fur, most likely rabbit fur. 

When the Truth in Fur Labeling Act goes into effect in March, this sort of mistake will be illegal, and UO could face fines and possible jail time. For now, they are just guilty of lying to their customers and of cruelty towards animals. 

Sign the petition to demand that Urban Outfitters apologize, and that the company takes the proper steps to ensure this type of mistake does not happen in the future. 

Photo Credit: Fiona Bradley

 

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Please Apologize for Mislabeling Real Fur Items at Urban Outfitters

Greetings,

I recently read on Change.org that Urban Outfitters is currently selling an "S Loves C by Spring & Clifton Faux Fur Cardigan." The fur on the sweater is not fake. It appears to be actually trimmed with real fur, most likely rabbit fur.

Many shoppers choose to shop at Urban Outfitters because they believe the company is a responsible one. In 2009, Urban Outfitters made an agreement with PETA to stop selling fur. Urban Outfitters is now listed as one of the Fur-Free Retailers, Designers, and Brands on the Humane Society of the United States website.

Because of the public promises UO has made to PETA and HSUS, this is not an acceptable mistake. At fur farms, animals spent their lives crammed in small wire cages, then are brutally killed, often by anal electrocution so that their pelts are not damaged. If UO wants to truly take a stand against animal cruelty, the company must be careful not to mislabel real fur as fake fur.

When the Truth in Fur Labeling Act goes into effect in March, this sort of mislabeling mistake will be illegal, and UO could face fines and possible jail time. For now, the company is just misleading your customers and is guilty of cruelty towards animals.

I am writing to urge Urban Outfitters to issue an apology to its customers for selling real fur. I also hope that the company takes the proper steps to ensure this type of mistake does not happen in the future.

Thank you.

[Your name]