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Image courtesy of Animal Rights Foundation of Florida
For Immediate Release: May 28, 2009
Contact: Amanda Burk: amanda@arff.org
Miss Florida USA Gets Ugly
The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida calls on Miss Florida USA to be fur-free
( Fort Lauderdale, FL ) - The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) recently sent a letter to Grant H. Gravitt Jr., executive producer at Tel- Air Interests, Inc. – parent company behind all Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA Pageants - requesting immediate removal of the Fur Information Council of America (FICA) from the pageant's sponsor list.
From July 14th-18th 2009, contestants from across the state will be competing for the title of Miss Florida USA 2010. This year, prizes range from cash and jewelry to television appearances. Yet, at this event dedicated to beauty and grace, one pageant prize is getting recognition for its ugly and barbaric qualities. FICA is a long-time sponsor of the annual pageant. The Miss Florida USA website features contestants modeling fur coats designed by FICA, claiming fur to be "the fabric of choice." In addition, a select few pageant “winners” will receive fur coats and other fur items from FICA as prizes.
In its letter, ARFF cites that killing methods on fur farms are gruesome and clearly favor profit over animal welfare. They go on to state, “as no killing method is fool-proof, undercover investigations routinely document animals on fur farms being brutally skinned alive. “
Photo courtesy of DC John - flickr.com
According to ARFF, so long as Miss Florida USA and Tel-Air Interests continue to consort with FICA, they are directly supporting the inhumane practices of the fur industry. ARFF has suggested that with many wonderful, modern and cruelty-free prize options available, there is no place for the skins of dead, tortured animals in this or any other pageant.
Photo courtesy of adam.durand - flickr.com
Currently, the fur industry consumes billions of animals each year. No federal law exists to regulate how animals used for fur are treated or killed, and killing methods on fur farms include such brutal procedures as neck snapping, gassing, and electrocution. The fur industry has historically refused to condemn even the most blatantly cruel practices. Genital electrocution - deemed “unacceptable” by the American Veterinary Medical Association - is frequently used by the industry and causes animals to suffer from cardiac arrest while they are still conscious.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Hawk - flickr.com
Pending Mr. Gravitt’s response, ARFF plans to be a continued presence outside the pageant with signs and literature illustrating the painful truth behind the fur industry.
For more information, please visit www.arff.org or call (954) 727 – ARFF.
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