Breaking! Columbia Sportswear Becomes The Latest Brand To Ban Alpaca Fleece, Let’s Urge Anthropologie To Do The Same

After viewing a first-of-its-kind PETA exposé revealing that crying alpacas are roughly shorn, cut open, and left bleeding from deep wounds, Columbia Sportswear, one of the largest outdoor apparel and footwear companies in the world, has banned alpaca fleece across all of its brands, including SOREL, prAna, and Mountain Hardwear.

PETA’s investigation into the world’s largest privately owned alpaca farm in Peru, Mallkini, shows that workers slammed alpacas—some of whom were pregnant—onto tables, tied them by the legs into a device reminiscent of medieval times, and pulled hard, nearly wrenching their legs out of their sockets. Terrified of being pinned down, the animals spit, cried out, and vomited in fear as workers grabbed them by the ears, roughly sheared them, and threw them to the concrete floor. Their bloody cuts were crudely stitched up with a needle and thread. In response, Peruvian authorities are investigating Mallkini for possible violations of the country’s animal protection laws.

“Columbia Sportswear’s decision will go a long way in helping to prevent vulnerable alpacas from being abused and shorn bloody for their fleece,” PETA’s Executive Vice President, Tracy Reiman, said in a statement. “PETA is asking kind consumers to do their part to end this cruelty by leaving alpaca items on the rack.”

Columbia Sportswear joins Valentino, UNIQLO, and Esprit in banning alpaca fleece. PETA is now calling on Anthropologie to do the same.

There is also a letter posted on the website with suggested copy that people can use to urge retailers to stop selling items with alpaca fleece. While this is intended for Anthropologie, it can also be used to convince other retail outlets as well.

“Please, think of gentle alpacas who, like all animals, feel pain and fear, and make the compassionate decision to stop selling their fleece today,” stated the letter.

The best thing that you can do for alpacas is refuse to buy anything made of their fleece. It’s easy to check the label when you are shopping. If it includes the word “alpaca,” leave it on the shelf.

Please sign a petition urging Anthropologie to stop selling items with alpaca fleece HERE!

You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and in your glass. #GoVeg