On November 29^th, 2013, KOALA (Kitchener Ontario Animal Liberation Alliance) held an anti-fur demonstration from 11:30am to 1:00pm at Channer’s located at 95 King St. S. in Uptown Waterloo, Ontario.  Demonstrators played music while handing out leaflets and vegan cupcakes to celebrate KOALA’s 1^st birthday.  November 29^th is an internationally recognized day where animal advocates all over the world take action to oppose the fur trade, often targeting fur retail outlets and fur farms.

Channer’s is a large retailer of Canada Goose Inc. whom make jackets made from real goose down and with coyote fur trim hoods.  The coyotes used in these jackets are caught with leg hold and conibear traps which crush the animal’s leg or paw.  These traps are often not checked frequently and the animals can freeze, bleed, or starve to death after spending days or even weeks being exposed to harsh weather condition.  When found by a trapper, the preferred method of killing is using a club to beat the animal to death in order not to ruin the pelt.  These traps also catch collateral animals including endangered species and companion animals.  KOALA claims these traps are cruel and that wearing fur is unnecessary.  One KOALA member was quoted as saying “these Canada Goose Inc. jackets are nothing more than a fashion trend, people need to stop listening to dubious advertising and think for themselves.  If people had any idea of the cruelty and suffering that it takes to have frivolous fur trim on their coats, they probably wouldn’t support that kind of industry.  That’s why we’re out here at Channer’s, to expose animal abusers and remind people that wearing fur is shameful.  Animals are not fabric, accessories, or a fashion statement.”