May 21, 2009

Anthrocon, Inc.

Via e-mail: anthrocon-2009(AT)anthrocon.org

To Whom It May Concern,

Greetings from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the world's largest animal rights organization, with more than 2 million members and supporters. I am writing to you today to inquire about your policy regarding fur. From one group of animal lovers to another, we hope that you can assure us that no real fur will be used in any of the costumes featured at your upcoming annual "Furry" convention.

If Furry fandom is about imagining what it would be like if animals could walk and talk like us, please imagine for a moment what animals would have to say about being tortured and killed for their fur.

Every year, millions of animals suffer and die in the fur industry. Rabbits scream like human babies as they are skinned alive. Foxes, insane from stress and boredom, throw themselves repeatedly against the walls of their wire cages. Chinchillas are electrocuted, and minks are cruelly gassed. Sometimes these methods only stun the animals, who often remain conscious while they're being skinned.

We hope that you will take the time to view undercover footage of fur farms and read the information available at FurisDead.com, where you can see for yourself that real fur has no place at a convention that celebrates animals.

Will you please let us know, at your earliest convenience, whether you allow Fursuiters to use real fur so that we may inform our members? I can be reached at ___-___-____, extension ____, or _______________.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards,

Shawna Flavell
PETA Blogger