- [email protected]
- National Animal Rights Association, Suite 10684, 26/27 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2, D02 X361.
Leather
Contrary to popular belief, leather is NOT a by-product of the meat industry. Cow skin is indeed used for leather, but the leather business is worth millions every year - making it an industry independent from the meat industry.
Leather is animal skin
that's been chemically treated (tanned) to prevent it from rotting and decaying over time.
Cow skin is the most commonly used, but other skins include lamb, pig, sheep, goat, deer, ostrich (popular among fashion designers, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada), kangaroo, snake, crocodile, alligator, even sting ray. Leather is used in the production of shoes, wallets, gloves, handbags, belts, and saddles.
What’s wrong with leather?
Contrary to popular belief, leather is NOT a by-product of the meat industry. Cow skin is indeed used for leather, but the leather business is worth millions every year – making it an industry independent from the meat industry. If you buy leather, you are contributing to the suffering and death of innocent animals.
Can you imagine living only to be killed and have your skin torn off to cover someone’s feet? Not only is leather morally unacceptable in terms of animal rights, but the toxic chemicals used during and released after the tanning process cause a staggering amount of damage to the environment, and to the people involved.
The chemicals used to tan leather have been proven to be carcinogenic - this causes chronic health problems among tanners. These chemicals are then released, untreated, into streams and rivers, wreaking havoc on wildlife and poisoning drinking water.
There is absolutely no justification for wearing leather. Leather causes just as much suffering as meat, and it’s unacceptable to continue wearing it in an age where countless alternatives exist.
Boycott Leather
It is very important to make sure you never buy real leather. Most people think of leather in terms of clothing, like shoes and jackets. But leather can be found in anything from glasses cases to cars, so be aware with every purchase. If it looks real, smells real, and has this symbol 
, then it is.
, then it is.If you’re looking for a leather alternative, there are lots of widely available options to choose from in Ireland and online. Contact us if you need some help or have any questions, and we can advise you on where to buy what you’re looking for – no matter where you live!
The Toxic Price of Leather
Sean Gallagher is a British photographer and filmmaker based in Beijing, China. He has lived and worked in Asia for over a decade, often spending months in the field travelling across the continent documenting its most important environmental, social and cultural issues.
So, what are we doing about it?
Protests
Even when we are protesting fur shops, we make it clear that we are equally as opposed to leather, wool and silk too. As soon as we get real fur out of Ireland, leather is next on the list. Are you ready to join the campaign? Email us now!
Awareness
A lot of people assume leather is just a by-product of the meat industry, when it is also a separate industry in itself. Regardless, wearing the skin of another living being is unethical, and unacceptable. We raise awareness on this through vegan outreach.
Lobbying
The government needs to shift from animal agriculture and animal industries to vegan, ethical alternatives. We put pressure on government bodies, encouraging them to offer farmers incentives to switch to cruelty-free employment instead.
We have various campaigns running at any one time. Please click to learn about more issues!
NARA is a legal, grassroots level organisation that only operates within the law. Information on this website is for the purpose of legal protest and information only. It should not be used to commit any criminal acts or harassment. NARA is not affiliated to any other animal rights group. NARA has no links or involvement with the Animal Liberation Front or the Animal Rights Militia. Any articles published on this web site relating to illegal activities are posted for the sole reason of publishing news related to animal rights, and are not intended to incite or encourage similar acts.
CONTACT
- [email protected]
- National Animal Rights Association, Suite 10684, 26/27 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2, D02 X361.
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