ending Real Fur

Animal Justice is Canada’s leading animal protection organization. A graduate of U of T’s Faculty of Law, she works to pass new animal protection legislation, pushes for the prosecution of animal abusers, and rights for animals in court. Her work includes documenting the commercial seal kill; exposing cruelty in farming, fur trapping and farming, protecting animal advocates, organizing campaigns against trophy hunting, circuses, zoos, aquariums, shark hunting, puppy mills and more. Her activities will be woven throughout the film.

Ingrid Newkirk is the co-founder and President of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). 'Real Fur' explores Newkirk’s humble beginnings, when she was profoundly affected by an incident of cruelty toward a cat that she witnessed during her childhood. She later went on to volunteer with Mother Teresa in the leper colonies of New Delhi, India. This experience informed her view that anyone in need was worthy of compassion and support. Ingrid decided to dedicate her life to ending the suffering of animals. She began to open shelters for animals all over the world, and eventually went on to found PETA, which has served as a powerful force for change in the way humans treat animals. PETA has often highlighted the cruelty of fur in the fashion industry, by organising protests and advertising campaigns that garner worldwide media attention.

Timothy MacKenzie Gunn is an American fashion consultant, television personality, actor, voice actor, and author. He served on the faculty of Parsons School of Design from 1982 to 2007 and was chair of fashion design at the school from August 2000 to March 2007, after which he joined Liz Claiborne (now Kate Spade & Company) as its chief creative officer. Over 16 seasons Gunn has become well known as the on-air mentor to designers on the reality television program Project Runway. Now Gunn is speaking up for animals again! But this time, Gunn wants you, the consumer, to know what animals endure in the name of fashion so that you can make informed decisions before buying clothing and accessories made from fur, wool, and leather. Gunn has become the latest celebrity to lend his voice to animals by narrating PETA’s new skins video which he sent with a personal appeal to Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani, who both use rabbit fur in their collections. His appeal has not fallen on deaf ears, as Donna Karan announced days later that her fall 2009 lines will be fur-free and that she has “no plans” to use fur in the future. With so many alternatives to fur, wool, leather, and exotic skins available, there’s no reason to wear animals. As Tim would say, “Make it work”!

Alissa White-Gluz is a Canadian singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy. She has been living a vegan lifestyle since she was 18 years old. She received a Libby award from PETA for her work in an international campaign advocating against the hunting of Canadian seals. Alissa joins Real Fur Film to share an original song dedicated to animals.

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith MP is a Canadian politician. A member of the Liberal Party, he is a Member of Parliament, representing Beaches-East York. On February 26, 2016, Erskine-Smith introduced Bill C-246, the Modernizing Animal Protections Act, to ban the import of shark fins and make Canada's animal cruelty laws tougher. The bill won support from EndCruelty, a coalition of Canadians who support stronger animal protection laws. Due to concerns from animal use lobbyists, the bill was defeated 198 to 84 at second reading. Two years later, a government bill addressing similar concerns was tabled by Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. She acknowledged Erskine-Smith's efforts as a precursor to the government's legislation. The defeat of Erskine-Smith's Bill C-246 led to the creation of the Liberal Animal Welfare Caucus in 2017. On September 5, 2017, Erskine-Smith wrote a piece in Now Magazine addressing his veganism and the importance of a social change towards the treatment of animals.

Lesley Fox is the executive director for The Fur-Bearers and is passionate about wildlife. She also serves on the board of directors for the Society for Humane Science and is the president and board chair for the Alberni Community and Women's Service Society (ACAWS). Lesley is a certified Humane Education Specialist through the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education (NAHEE) and graduated with honours from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Public Relations, Marketing Communications and Non-Profit Management. She is currently finishing her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at Royal Roads University and lives with her partner on Vancouver Island.

MALCOLM KLIMOWICZ has been a passionate animal rights activist and organizing member of the Kingston Ontario Animal Liberation Alliance (KOALA). With KOALA, Malcolm has focused on cruelty to animals at aquariums, particularly Marineland and has demonstrated outside fur auction houses. Recently helmed undercover the multiple cruelty violations against animals on some of Ontario’s industrial mink farms. After being inspired by an animal rights documentary, Inside Fur, he went undercover and filmed five fur farms. Currently, Malcolm faces up to 10-years in prison for exposing the cruelty that lies behind this industry.

DAN STARR, previous employee on mink farms in the Fraser Valley, BC, is a whistleblower working to expose inhumane practices on these farms. Dan often worked on farms owned by his family, and the price he’s paid to go against his ‘family heritage’ is ostracization. Struggling since childhood with mental health concerns, Dan felt unemployable until he started work there. Like himself, he explains, many employees on the farms have issues... are desperate for work, may be abusing substances, or are illegal immigrants... and some actually enjoy the killing. “Fur farms hire such people because they’re less likely to protest the work, or disclose illegal practices.”