Nicole Navarro runs Pawsitive Beginnings, a rescue that saves foxes from fur farms and provides them with a safe and permanent home in Key Largo, Florida.
Did you know that fur farms are not only operating, but are alive and thriving in the United States? Although rescue is growing, only a fraction of the animals are saved. And the only purpose for keeping them on the farm is to kill them for their fur.
The USDA governs over 400 fur farms in the US, but there is no way for the public to monitor or regulate how the animals are kept. Foxes, for instance, desire to hunt, forage, dig and play. This captivity causes a lot of psychological damage, beyond the fact that they are only living in cages to be killed for their fur.
Countries such as the UK, Austria, Netherlands, and Croatia have already banned fur farms. And countries such as France, Ireland, and Norway have committed to ban fur farms and are phasing them out.
If the animal cruelty isn’t enough to pull you in, fur farms are also horrendous for the environment. Toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, chromium, and ammonia are used to preserve the pelts. Workers are exploited and exposed to these chemicals on a daily basis. They are washed into local waterways and as we know, this has a detrimental effect on every living being around it.
There are many faux fur alternatives available in our modern day, and animals are only kept in this cruel industry in the United States for money. Don’t let a celebrity wearing fur fool you. I don’t know why they do it, or why they continue to perpetuate the “glamour” of the industry. But there’s no way around it. This is a very cruel, no silver linings, far from glamorous, practice. And this industry will stop if people simply stop purchasing fur.
As you can tell, I’m pretty fired up about this! If you’ve already listened to the episode, and you’re here because you’re fired up too, and want to start helping, please see the list of simple ideas below.
WATCH THE EPISODE:
Closed captioning transcript included in video. Subscribe on YouTube.
5 Simple Ideas To Make a Difference:
1. BOYCOTT BRANDS WHO USE FUR. Topping this list are Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, and Yves Saint Laurent. These brands continue to fund the cruel fur farms industry. Giving them our money (even if it’s not for fur clothing) gives them money to spend on perpetuating the industry. It’s best to boycott the brand as a whole.
2. WATCH & SHARE “CHASING FUR”. Watch Pawsitive Beginning’s documentary, “Chasing Fur“, to learn more about fox fur farms. Then share this fur farm documentary with our friends.
3. BUY FAUX FUR COATS. If we love the look of fur, we can get it without harming one single animal. Spirithoods is an awesome company who provides super cute coats, blankets, and robes to combat the fur farms industry.
4. CHECK ALL PRODUCTS FOR FUR. Animal fur can be hiding in places we would never guess. For example: makeup brushes, fake eyelashes, paintbrushes. Check the ingredients clearly. PETA has a cheat sheet of obscure animal ingredient names.
5. WALK IN PURPOSE. NOT ON PURPOSE. Nicole mentions that starting the fur farms fox rescue fell into place fairly smoothly, and she feels she’s walking “in purpose” and not “on purpose”. This reminds me to urge all of us to follow our hearts and follow where the road is leading us fairly effortlessly. Ask for help from those around us, and trust that we know when we’re on the right path.
Important Links:
- Hemingway Home – https://www.HemingwayHome.com/our-cats
- Rescued foxes first time stepping on ground – www.instagram.com/tv/B-675l2jP0Q/
- Chasing Fur documentary – https://youtu.be/5aHpPVPW1jo
- Petition (Fur Free Alliance) to end the cruel fur trade – www.FurFreeAlliance.com/stopdeadlyfur/
- Spirithoods – www.Spirithoods.com/
- Fur Free Retailer: database of guaranteed fur-free companies – FurFreeRetailer.com/
- Brands still using fur: www.OIPA.org/international/fashion-boycott/
About Nicole:
Nicole Navarro grew up on a 30 acre horse farm in Western, Pennsylvania, which nurtured her love for all animals. She has been passionate about rescue for as long as she can remember.
She was introduced to foxes in November of 2018 while volunteering at a facility in Key West, Florida. After much research and networking, she realized there was a need for facilities to be able to take in foxes being saved from the fur trade.
In March of 2020, Pawsitive Beginnings was born, and in May of 2020 they were given 501c3 status from the IRS.
ABOUT PAWSITIVE BEGINNINGS:
Pawsitive Beginnings is a 501c3 fur farm fox rescue located in Key Largo, Florida. They give a safe and permanent home to foxes that have been saved from the fur trade.
Support Pawsitive Beginnings & Connect with Nicole:
The best way to contact Nicole is via the contact form on her website:
- Website: PawsitiveBeginnings.org
- Instagram: @Pawsitive_Beginnings_Inc
- Facebook: @PawsitiveBeginningsRescue
- Donate: PawsitiveBeginnings.org/ways-to-donate
- Sponsor a Fox: PawsitiveBeginnings.org/fox-sponsorship
- Amazon Wish List: Pawsitive Beginnings list on Amazon
- Merchandise Shop: PawsitiveBeginnings.org/merchandise
Save to Pinterest for later:
